Michael Franklin, 32
BS teacher education ’09
Pre-engineering teacher, Science Leadership Academy Middle School
My Greatest Accomplishment: Co-founding the Chester A. Arthur Civil Engineering Club. It is the first civil engineering club in the country for middle school students that is sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Multiple students from this club have continued on to magnet high schools here in Philadelphia, and a couple of students have pursued engineering as a major in college.
How Drexel Helped: My time working with Drexel’s School of Education professors put me in a position to be successful in the classroom. The experiences and mentoring I got from them has been wonderful. Drexel has also allowed me to expand my teaching opportunities by working as an adjunct instructor for the School of Education.
Where I’ll Be in Five Years: Continuing to grow the pre-engineering program at Science Leadership Academy Middle School in University City. As this is the first year of this program, I will pursue partnerships with engineering firms and secure funding to bring opportunities to our students that are typically available only to students in the suburbs. Bringing hands-on, maker-centered opportunities to as many students as possible in The School District of Philadelphia has been a career goal.
“If I live to be 100, the change I’d most like to see in the world is…
an emphasis on education that is not centered around standardized testing.”
— Michael Franklin