S. Katie Guffey McCorrison

Education

B.S., Biology/Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, 2008
M.A., Science Teaching, East Carolina University, 2012
Ph.D., Science Education, University of Wyoming

Teaching Philosophy

 "My work as a teacher educator centers on 'lived science'—the belief that science cannot be separated from the human context. I view students as active agents responsible for making sense of a complex world. By integrating constructivist theory with a focus on social equity, I ensure preservice teachers graduate with more than just content knowledge; they leave with the critical empathy needed to make science accessible and transformative for every learner."

Research

Grounded in the philosophy of 'lived science,' Dr. McCorrison's research connects conceptual understanding with human context across two strands. First, she examines student cognition by developing NGSS-aligned assessment instruments and collaborating with science faculty on place-based learning projects. Second, she advance's STEM equity by managing a $4.6 million portfolio of National Science Foundation Noyce grants. These initiatives recruit teachers for high-needs schools and convene national experts to address barriers in STEM education.

Outreach

Dr. McCorrison's outreach efforts reflect her belief that science education must be deeply connected to the community. She collaborates with faculty to engage pre-service science teachers in citizen science and place-based learning projects, helping them translate complex concepts into real-world applications. Committed to social equity, Dr. McCorrison also facilitates community awareness simulations to foster empathy among educators and the public. Outside of academia, she puts these values into practice as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama.

Biography

Dr. McCorrison’s professional journey as a science educator has spanned from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Gulf Coast, guided by a strong commitment to environmental science and place-based learning. She began her career as a high school science teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Master of Arts in Science Teaching from East Carolina University, where she was a Noyce Scholar.

She later relocated to the Mountain West to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Wyoming, concentrating on Science Education, Quantitative Research, and Natural Resources. During her doctoral studies, she engaged in international research experiences to expand her understanding of global approaches to science teaching and learning.

Now established in Mobile, Alabama, she applies her expertise within the distinctive ecological context of the Gulf Coast. In her personal time, she remains closely connected to the natural world through hiking, biking, swimming, and running with her husband, Jamison, and their two children, Nuala and Graham.