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HCS Director of STEM and Innovative Practice Named Among Top 10 STEM Directors in Education Nationwide

HCS Director of STEM and Innovative Practice Named Among Top 10 STEM Directors in Education Nationwide

 

Hafza torso, ETI & HCS logos & "TOP 10 STEM DIRECTOR" over background pic of OHS STEM robotics team.

 

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools Director of STEM and Innovative Practice Dr. Rabieh J. Hafza was named one of the nation’s Top 10 STEM Directors in Education by Education Technology Insights.

The recognition identifies individuals from diverse institutions, including K-12 schools and universities, who have made significant contributions and demonstrated extraordinary leadership in furthering STEM initiatives in their organizations.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized as a Top 10 STEM Director in Education by Education Technology Insights,” Dr. Hafza said. “This prestigious award reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team at Henry County Schools, which is committed to providing our students with a world-class STEM education.”

Dr. Hafza’s dedication to innovation in advancing STEM education, impactful curriculum development, and advocacy for STEM initiatives also influenced his selection. He has significantly transformed STEM education at HCS and increased students’ exposure to STEM.

“Congratulations to Dr. Hafza on this exceptional achievement, which reflects his vision and determination to advance STEM throughout Henry County Schools,” said Deputy Superintendent for Accountability, Student Achievement, and School Improvement Termerion McCrary. “He has leveraged the district’s investments to elevate STEM education in our pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools. The recognition reflects his talent, hard work, and collaborative efforts to prioritize the district’s STEM objectives. We are proud of the strides we’ve made under his leadership and look forward to building on this momentum.”

Dr. Hafza holds a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry, a Master of Arts in Teaching in science education, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction – all from Mercer University.

His success is further fueled by nearly three decades in the education field and an extensive background in STEM in roles such as science content specialist, science instructor, curriculum writer, and science coordinator.

Dr. Hafza’s teaching experience has also been instrumental to his accomplishments, enabling an acute appreciation of student needs. In addition to working with his team to design innovative teaching methods and curricula, his data-driven skills have shaped strategies that have increased students’ receptiveness to STEM subjects.

“Dr. Hafza has played an instrumental role in setting the district on the path to realizing its goal to be a leader in providing STEM educational opportunities in the region,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “His impact is undeniable in furthering our vision to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student.”

Under Dr. Hafza’s guidance, STEM education is thriving across HCS, even among its youngest learners, establishing a solid foundation for the district’s STEM aspirations.

His contributions have led to the implementation of a robotics program in Kindergarten and the expansion of robotics and coding in the elementary after-school program.

He has also overseen additional efforts promoting the district’s STEM growth, including introducing a dedicated STEM lab and teacher in every elementary school and supporting celebrations such as STEM-A-Versary, which acknowledges elementary school STEM achievements.

Dr. Hafza has prioritized the district’s focus on employing highly qualified STEM instructors and ensures teachers have the required equipment and training. He not only selects resources to enhance the curriculum and optimize student learning but ensures they are aligned with Georgia standards.

“Through our collaborative efforts, we have successfully integrated innovative resources into our curriculum, such as robotics, probeware, cutting-edge software, and other technological tools,” Dr. Hafza added. “These enhancements have not only increased student engagement but also fostered a genuine passion for STEM among our learners.”

HCS has allocated funding streams to districtwide STEM advancement, including nearly $350,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to engineering-related purchases for middle schools during the 2023-2024 school year.

The district’s investments in STEM have yielded outstanding results, particularly among high school students who have been excelling in robotics competitions locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Among the district’s successes, Ola High School’s Vex Robotics Team placed eighth in the world at the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, in May.

Building on the growth in robotics programming across HCS, the district will hold its inaugural robotics competition on Saturday, Feb. 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Academy for Advanced Studies. The collaborative effort was spearheaded by Dr. Hafza, STEM Coordinator Diane Robinson, STEM Professional Learning Specialist Ashley Moss, and teachers Patrick Deabenderfer (Rock Spring Elementary) and Christie Schmitt (Ola High School).

These districtwide STEM investments provide students with real-world experiences, enabling them to excel in STEM and develop leadership, teamwork, social, and competitive skills, preparing them for college, career, and life.

The district’s STEM initiatives are also setting the stage for the planned opening of a state-of-the-art specialty STEM high school in 2027.

“Looking ahead, I am confident that our proactive and forward-thinking approach will continue to prepare our students for success in the ever-evolving STEM landscape,” Dr. Hafza said. “This recognition serves as motivation to further our mission of empowering the next generation of STEM leaders as well as the opening of our state-of-the-art STEM high school.”

About Henry County Schools

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000.

HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society.

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