Victor Bowman
I’ve always been involved in teaching, mentoring and coaching youth. I worked
for many years in the corporate health and wellness field, where I developed
and led trainings on food and nutrition for adults; but I came to a crossroads,
and I knew I was ready for a career change. I decided to make the shift into
the classroom. I entered the Sherman STEM Program and earned my Master’s
of Arts in teaching in 12 months. I graduated in December, and I am excited
to be at Windsor Mill Middle School initiating new health education courses.
Ryan Ihnacik
The Sherman STEM Teacher Education Program is the perfect synthesis of all
of my ideals. It is a great way to get to know and work with like-minded people.
The Sherman Program is for students who possess and want to share their passion
for STEM with young students, especially those who are often on the periphery
of public concern. It is for those who realize the value of these young students
in our society. Being a Sherman Scholar has afforded me invaluable opportunities,
and I look forward to the continued support I will receive as an alumni.
I had initially entered college to become a medical doctor.
While medicine is an incredibly virtuous endeavor, the atmosphere of the
field did not foster the wonder and excitement of discovery that I experienced
as a child. I love to talk about and teach science and biology, so I thought
that teaching it to younger people might be the really satisfying career
I was seeking. As a Sherman Scholar, I completed my student teaching internship
at Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City because I wanted a challenge,
to learn something new and to be where I was needed most. I loved my experience
and learned a great deal about teenagers, the urban experience and myself.
It was one of the most intellectually and emotionally rewarding experiences
of my life.