Veronica Betancourt, M.S.
Science Education Associate, Intercultural Development Research Association

Veronica Betancourt, M.S., is a science education specialist. She has served in the education field for more than a decade. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in school improvement at Texas State University and is particularly interested in parent engagement in science. Ms. Betancourt designs and delivers interactive training sessions that provide teachers the tools for increasing student achievement, with particular focus in English learners and science. She has successfully facilitated numerous trainings, sessions and multi-day institutes with various districts, at conferences and for institutions of higher education. She has developed and is implementing IDRA’s professional development model for elementary and secondary science entitled Science Smart! that focuses on increasing access to science for all students through authentic, inquiry-based situational learning. Most recently, she has co-authored a guide for elementary and secondary teachers, entitled Science Instructional Strategies for English Learners: A Guide for Elementary and Secondary Grades.

While Science Smart! is still in its infancy, it has made great impact in the way science is taught by teachers and the positive benefits of science learning by students. One west Texas school saw a double digit gain in 2008 standardized tests for high school science after receiving a year-long implementation of Science Smart!, and another school in San Antonio saw a 25 percentage point gain in its exit level science scores that same year. Levels of implementation are based on district or campus need, and the Science Smart! model is designed to cater to the specific equity issues that these campuses face, such as equitable resources, greater access to science opportunities for minorities and females, and the transformation of teaching practices to meet the needs of a growing population of English learners.

During her years in the classroom, Ms. Betancourt taught numerous classes including, but not limited to: biology, marine biology, environmental science, integrated physics and chemistry, chemistry, chemistry in the community and oceanography. While working in an area San Antonio school district, she was a class sponsor; coordinated and contributed to assemblies, campus committees, and district PERC committees; served as a mentor for new science teachers; and volunteered for the Southside United Against a Violent Environment. She has also taught marine biology and oceanography in the Upward Bound program.

Ms. Betancourt was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

IDRA is an independent, private non-profit organization, directed by María Robledo Montecel, Ph.D., dedicated to strengthening public schools to work for all children. As a vanguard leadership development and research team for more than three decades, IDRA has worked with people to create self-renewing schools that value and empower all children, families and communities. IDRA conducts research and development activities, creates, implements and administers innovative education programs and provides teacher, administrator, and parent training and technical assistance.ntacting staff at IDRA: Thanks to the world of spam, we cannot post the email address of individual staff members. However, you can either call IDRA directly at 210-444-1710 or use our online form to have your message directed to the staff member you want to reach.