Perryville High School teacher named Society for Science Advocate
KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) – Perryville High School science teacher Leanne Thele has been named to the Society for Science’s 2025-26 Advocate Program.
Thele, a 29-year teaching veteran who has spent the past four years at Perryville, is one of 70 teachers nationwide selected for the program this year. The yearlong professional development initiative provides training, mentorship and a $3,000 stipend to support teachers working to expand student participation in STEM research competitions.
“I’m honored to be selected as a Society for Science Advocate and excited for the opportunities this brings to my students,” Thele said. “Coming from a rural and underrepresented area, my students often face limited access to STEM resources, but this program opens doors, empowers their potential, and helps them see themselves as future scientists and innovators.”
Thele retired from Jackson R-2 Schools after 25 years before joining Perryville to help fill a critical teaching shortage. At Perryville, she teaches dual-credit chemistry and freshman physical science and advises the school’s Science Research Team.
She said her goals as an Advocate include increasing the number of students who participate in research projects and encouraging more district teachers to get involved with the Science Research Team to help sustain the program in the future.
Society for Science is a nonprofit organization that promotes the public understanding of science through publications and educational programs. More information is available at societyforscience.org.
