VESEL Leadership Spotlight for Beth Grabois and Summer Pelton 

In this Leadership Spotlight we shine a light on the mentor/mentee relationship between Beth Grabois and Summer Pelton, two science educators and district leaders. Both are participants of the 2024-2025 VESELS Scholars program, an initiative designed to support emerging leaders in science education. Through a series of reflective questions, Beth and Summer share insights into their science education leadership journeys, challenges, successes, and future aspirations. 

Background as Science Educators and Leaders 

Beth Grabois's career as a science education leader began in the classroom, where she taught math and science since 2007. Her focus deepened through a departmentalized role, working with BSCS Tracks Science materials and a three-year NSF grant that emphasized Science Notebooking and CER strategies. Nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2012, she pursued leadership roles, eventually becoming a principal and leading initiatives like Amplify Science. Currently, as Director of Science and STEAM in Denver Public Schools and now Director of Math and Science in Jeffco Public Schools, she champions equitable, inquiry-based learning for all students.

Summer Pelton has been an educator since 2007, prioritizing science instruction in her K-6 classroom. At the school level, she supports teacher development through coaching and modeling best practices for equitable science instruction. In 2020, she transitioned to a role as an academic coach for the Salt Lake City District, where she has contributed to shaping the district's science curriculum, creating pacing guides, and leading professional learning communities. Pelton’s commitment to becoming a science education leader is shown through her commitment to research-based instructional strategies in science and  serving on state committees that aim to better science education in her home state of Utah.  

Motivation to Join the VESELS Program 

Beth was inspired to apply as a VESELS mentor out of a deep sense of gratitude for the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) and the incredible opportunity that she has had as a passionate science educator and leader. Beth believes that NSELA has played a pivotal role in her professional growth, providing experiences and connections that have shaped her career. When she saw the opportunity to become a mentor, she was excited about the chance to give back by partnering with another educator and expanding their collective impact on the field of science education. 

Summer was inspired to apply to the VESEL program after working with Utah’s State Science Supervision at the Advancing Coherence and Equity in Systems of Science Education (ACCESSE 50+) meeting in Kansas City, MO. That meeting allowed summer to work with the network of State Science Supervisors and partners from educational research and practice to improve equity by building coherence in science education. During that meeting she participated in professional development designed to build capacity and promote effective approaches to curriculum and instruction. 

Proud Leadership Achievements 

In their leadership role at Jeffco Public Schools,  Beth is proud of the collaborative work that helped establish a unified vision for K-12 Science Education. Recognizing the importance of partnership with educators for a successful initiative, they organized comprehensive committees of educators to help set the vision for science education in the district. These committees assessed the current state, evaluated science RFP content and resources, and discussed essential questions like the ideal experience for engaged science learners and what they would say about their learning. By prioritizing educator input, Beth and the committee ensured that those implementing the changes felt heard and valued, resulting in a strong sense of ownership among educators. This collaborative approach led to a shared vision for science education and a commitment from educators to make it a reality, which Beth feels confident will positively impact students' learning experiences.

One of the highlights of my contributions at the district level is the design and implementation of an instructional playbook for science coaches. This resource serves as a guide for organizing coaching cycles and optimizing available resources effectively. Additionally, Summer’s in-depth knowledge of the Mystery Science curriculum has enabled her to monitor teacher usage and address any issues promptly, ensuring a seamless integration of this tool into her school district’s instructional framework.  

Takeaways from the Summer Leadership Institute 

Summer had the best time at the 2024 Summer Leadership Institute in Seattle Washington and saw representatives from all across the nation coming together to share their passion for science. The institute helped her recognize that the “roses and thorns” from each state are similar and that the work of all science education leaders share a common thread. Students are the future of the planet and they deserve how to responsibly use and protect the environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and well-being. 

Initial Advice from Mentor 

Beth’s  advice for Summer  as a mentee is to embrace this mentorship as a collaborative journey. Be open to asking questions, sharing your experiences, and exploring new ideas together. Don't be afraid to take risks and try out different strategies in your practice—growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Remember that mentorship is a two-way street, so your insights and perspectives are just as valuable as mine. Stay curious, stay reflective, and most importantly, stay true to your passion for science education. We're in this together, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.