136. Catherine Jackson Jones: STEM Opportunities for Every Student - National Math and Science Initiative
In this episode, Kathy and Linda talk with Catherine Jackson Jones, a coach and mentor with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding STEM opportunities for students and empowering educators to bring real-world STEM experiences into classrooms across the country.
Catherine shares how NMSI builds awareness and access to STEM fields, particularly for students in under-resourced and rural communities. Through long-term partnerships with school districts, NMSI provides professional development for teachers and administrators, helping them integrate critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills into every subject. Catherine explains how the initiative creates lasting change by training educators to sustain programs long after NMSI’s involvement, ensuring equity and opportunity for all students.
Catherine also opens up about her personal journey — growing up in poverty, being the first in her family to graduate college, and how a single teacher’s belief in her changed the trajectory of her life. That experience fuels her passion for helping students see their own worth and possibilities, no matter where they come from.
Together, they explore:
- How NMSI supports teachers and districts to create engaging, hands-on STEM learning
- The importance of exposure, opportunity, and representation in STEM education
- The ripple effect one teacher or mentor can have on generations of learners
- How engagement and curiosity transform learning environments
- Breaking cycles of poverty through education and belief in possibility
Ask the (Not) Expert
A listener asks:
“I have a team project with all boys. None of them want to do any work, and I don’t want to get a bad grade. What do I do?”
Catherine shares her teacher’s perspective: divide responsibilities clearly, let everyone choose their section, and document who’s responsible for what. That way, teachers can fairly assess individual contributions — a real-world lesson in accountability and teamwork.
Rapid Fire Questions
- Favorite STEM book: Alchemy of the Mind, by Diane Ackerman
- Favorite college course: Shakespeare with Dr. Rey
- Best advice ever received: “You’re bigger than the moments that surround you.” – Theresa Smith, the teacher who changed her life
Episode Takeaway
Catherine’s story is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and believing in others. Her passion for teaching — and for helping students realize their potential — reminds us that opening even one door can change entire families and communities.
Learn More
Visit the National Math and Science Initiative at www.nms.org
to learn how to get involved, support programs, or explore partnership opportunities.