Melissa Moritz
Senior Director, Student & Teacher Engagement
The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Early passion for math and science nurtured by family and teachers.
Through reading and personal experience, realized how different educational opportunities are based on where you grew up.
Was accepted to MIT and studied biology with the intent to become a pediatrician.
In senior year of college, realized I was more passionate about supporting the next generation of scientists than medicine.
Taught middle school science in New York City as a service year member with Teach For America.
After the classroom, I joined Teach For America's national staff to increase the number of STEM teachers in high-need schools.
Appointed by President Obama to serve as the Deputy Director of STEM Initiatives for the U.S. Department of Education.
After the administration, I joined the National Math and Science Initiative to continue working to ensure that every child has access to an excellent STEM education.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Senior Director, Student & Teacher Engagement
I work to ensure that every kid has access to an excellent STEM (Science, Technology, Math & Engineering) education.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Science
Problem Solving
Day to Day
Our organization is working to ensure that every student has access to an excellent STEM education. My daily contribution to our organization's mission usually breaks out into three parts. The first is reading, writing, and researching potential solutions and partners. The second is problem solving with coworkers on video conferences or conference calls. The third is spending time with students and teachers to get feedback on ideas.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Take as many math and science courses as you can. Major or minor in STEM. Build your professional network through internships and mentor relationships. Find someone who has the type of job you want and ask them for their advice.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Teaching will be a waste of your science degree."
