Release courtesy of National Science Education Leadership Association
Linda Cole Atkinson is an incredible leader who has provided exemplary administrative science and STEM support locally, state-wide and nationally. For the past 12 years at the University of Oklahoma, she has been in an administrative capacity to support and advocate for science and STEM education. Dr. Atkinson has used her strong science background to seek funding for projects to assist schools and to sustain the profess made in science education in Oklahoma. Her focus provides systemic support for all stakeholders involved in improving science education. Prior to her work at the university, Linda taught high school chemistry and eighth grade science, worked as an assistant principal at two schools and was the science curriculum director for Norman Public Schools. Over 40 years of work in different roles, she continually inspired other educators. In one of her support letters, the writer states, “Linda is a gifted leader. Her calm, measured approach to leadership involves empowering others to do their best work to make great things happen. She is a master of encouragement and makes each person who works for her feel important.”
Dr. Atkinson is doing outstanding work in her administrative support role at the University of Oklahoma. Three of many examples illustrate her long-term leadership.
• Led the development of a state-wide competitive grant program for K12 schools that provides technology equipment and professional development to create technology-enriched learning communities. Through 17 million dollars in grant money from the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust, the project has impacted 6,448 teachers and 93,940 students in 229 schools across the state of Oklahoma from 2003-15.
• Coordinates the K20 Center’s annual Innovative Learning Institute which brings together more than 700 educators, university faculty, business leaders and policy makers to learn and share best practices through the eight strands, including leadership, authentic teaching, technology integration, STEM connections, college and career readiness and community connections.
• Obtains grant funds that are utilized to research the design, delivery and impact of systemic reform in developing technology-enriched professional learning communities with emphasis in STEM areas. The funding supported increases in teacher efficacy, teacher content knowledge and use of inquiry, and students’ science interest and learning on classroom and state assessments.
During her work in Norman Public Schools, Dr. Atkinson established structures for teachers and school leaders to collaborate about best practices, participate in shared leadership and decision-making and support each other in improving science education for all students. Some examples illustrate that Dr. Atkinson’s accomplishments as science coordinator included establishing teacher advisory boards that met monthly; providing ongoing professional development and one-on-one support, coaching and mentoring for all science teachers; establishing a leadership cadre of elementary science teachers; establishing a district-wide science materials center; and providing state-wide leadership on Oklahoma standards and assessment committees.
Linda provided outstanding leadership on the MSLEA Board for many years including the roles of an extended presidency, newsletter editor and awards committee chair. She’s served on the following: National Science Board STEM Commission on 21st Century Education, leadership team for the NSTA’s Alliance of the Affiliates, NSTA’s professional development committee and conferences and co-authored numerous articles for journals and books. Her awards include: NSTA 2009 Distinguished Service to Science Education award, American Educational Research Association and the University Council for Educational Administration 2005 David L. Clarke award, and Oklahoma Science Teachers Association 1996 Jack Renner Distinguished Science Educator award.
