In this inspiring episode of Legend Makers, Scott sits down with Patty Cortez, an educator from Dallas ISD who's transforming the STEM landscape one student at a time. Patty wears many hats: she's a 6th-grade World Cultures teacher, 7th-grade Texas History teacher, 4th-grade Robotics teacher, and a coach for both an all-girls robotics team (The Lady Bots) and a newly formed all-girls drone team. But her journey into STEM? It all started because two determined 3rd-grade girls wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Patty shares how she helped her students host a Girl Powered STEM event, reaching over 80 girls across Dallas ISD, introducing them to coding, robotics, and problem-solving. These young leaders not only organized the event but also fundraised and led every session themselves, proving that girls belong in STEM—and thrive there.
But it’s not just about tech. Patty dives into creative strategies for engaging students, from turning history lessons into gossip-worthy dramas to blending hands-on robotics projects with traditional academics. Her story of a disruptive student finding focus—in a wagon, of all places—shows the power of understanding, flexibility, and meeting students where they are.
We also explore how student-led initiatives are breaking down barriers in STEM, the importance of teacher-student relationships, and how Patty's own teachers inspired her to give back to her community by teaching in the very elementary school she once attended.
Key Takeaways: 🚀 How to foster student leadership in STEM 🎮 Creative ways to blend STEM and history for maximum engagement 🤖 Tips on starting robotics and drone clubs from scratch 🌱 The power of hands-on learning and tactile experiences in boosting retention 💡 Why teachers should embrace failure and learn alongside their students
Connect with Patty Cortez: Follow Patty's journey and see her classroom innovations on Twitter/X: @Mrs_Cortez12
If you’re an educator looking to empower students, promote inclusivity in STEM, and break down barriers for underrepresented communities, this episode is a must-listen.
