STEMsteps

Specialties

STEMsteps is an early learning center specializing in integrating STEM education with the Arts. The curriculum is hands-​on and student centered. Students engage in five kinds of engineering thinking (curious, flexible, persistent, reflective, and collaborative). In addition to STEM, dramatic play, gross motor, fine motor, art, and music are core components of the curriculum.

History

Established in 2015.

As an adjunct instructor, former kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, parent, and STEM education advocate, Heather Tetmyer saw a need for building a program like STEMsteps in her hometown of Gibsonia, PA. As a licensed behavior specialist and former preschool teacher, Gabrielle Palermo also felt compelled to encourage a program that was hands-​on, engaging, and focusing on STEM integration into the early childhood curriculum. Developing critical thinkers that exhibit curious, flexible, persistent, collaborative, and reflective thinking is our goal in helping children set a strong foundation for a lifelong love for learning and exploration of STEM concepts. Together, Gabrielle and Heather have worked together to achieve these goals as co-​founders and owners of STEMsteps. STEMsteps is seeking approval as a Private Nursery school and Kindergarten from the Pennsylvania Department of Education board members.

Meet the Business Owner

Heather T.

Business Owner

Heather Tetmyer is co-​owner and Director of STEMsteps, an adjunct instructor for the Community College of Allegheny County North Campus and Grand Canyon University. A graduate of Pine-​Richland High School, she completed her undergraduate degree from Clarion University in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she accepted a position as a Kindergarten teacher for a school district in Arizona. During her time in Arizona, Heather taught Kindergarten, 3^rd Grade, and 5^th Grade. After completing her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on teaching Reading, she accepted a position as a full-​time faculty member for the College of Education at Grand Canyon University. Heather returned to Gibsonia in August of 2013.