Kenneth Mims
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Kenneth Mims is an American educator and advocate for neurodiverse students, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Education
[edit]Mims earned his bachelor's degree in physics from Hampton University. He then received a master's degree in Secondary Education with a focus on Science from Georgia State University. Mims furthered his education by completing additional graduate coursework in Nonprofit Leadership from Arizona State University.[1]
Career
[edit]In 2011, Mims began his teaching career as a STEM teacher at a community-centered Charter School in the city of Philadelphia. While teaching at Snellville Middle School in Gwinnett County Public Schools he first learned about the autism spectrum and became deeply interested in understanding this condition.[2] Mims observed autism characteristics similar to his and college peers in physics. As he learn more about autism, Mims focused on developing instruction that would equip students on the spectrum to transition to college and future careers.[3][2]
In 2017, Mims founded the Science Prep Academy (SPA) in Phoenix, Arizona,[2] a school specifically designed to support neurodiverse students, particularly those on the autism spectrum.[3] Maintaining small-class sizes, SPA's educational model uses constructivism methods, including a multimedia approach, to assist students with their social and emotional needs and academic achievement.[3][4] Focusing on STEM education, Mims's curriculum approach integrates technology and project-based learning and utilizes individualized instruction, hands-on learning, and real-world applications of scientific concepts.[2] In 2022, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Janine Yass, founder of the Yass Prize, presented a STOP Award, the Ducey Prize of $1 million, to SPA. [5]
In May 2019, Mims was selected as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow.[6]
In January 2021, after returning from his fellowship, Mims helped Science Prep Academy transition into the Neurodiversity Education Research Center (NERC),[7] an independent nonprofit research center dedicated to improving access to quality education and workforce development for Neurodivergent humans.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kenneth Mims". NERC. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e Frank, BrieAnna J. (2022-01-23). "'Like the Land of Oz': South Phoenix Science Prep Academy first of its kind for autistic kids". www.azcentral.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b c Stories, Local (2020-01-14). "Meet Kenneth Mims of Science Prep Academy in South Mountain". VoyagePhoenix - Phoenix. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ "Inside a STEM-focused microschool for autistic students in south Phoenix". Yahoo News. 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ "Science Prep Academy Wins $1 Million "Ducey Prize"". The Center for Education Reform. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ "EINSTEIN Kenneth Mims | U.S. DOE Office of Science (SC)". science.osti.gov. 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Arizona Community Foundation awards grant to Neurodiversity Education Research Center - Paradise Valley Independent". The Daily Independent at YourValley.net. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2024-09-04.