OUR MISSION

The NexGen STEM Academy seeks to build the next generation of leaders that are inspired to assess and solve community and global problems collaboratively through curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

Contact Information

Chad Pavlekovich, Ed.D.

Instructor of Natural Sciences/ STEM
STEM Curriculum Specialist/ Founder
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Chad Pavlekovich, Ed.D.

Education:
Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Administration, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M.Ed., Secondary Education, Salisbury University
B.S., Secondary Education and Teaching, Salisbury State University
B.S., Biology, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Biography:
As a science teacher for the past 22 years, my passion to educate students in the area of science lead me to design the NexGen STEM Academy which is modeled on the previous Salisbury Middle School STEM program founded in 2009. Throughout my time as a science teacher, I have been fortunate to have been recognized for the work and dedication to my craft. I was awarded Wicomico Teacher of the Year in 2012 and was a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year. I was a 2017 nationalist finalist for the Edward C. Roy Jr. Excellence in K-8th Earth Science Teaching and have received national recognition for my creative approach to STEM education by STEMCON (Excellence in STEM Education 2017) and The Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC 2015). 
My interest in STEM education at all levels of instruction led me to pursue and obtain my Doctorate in Education. My dissertation focused on how STEM education is designed and implemented throughout the state of Maryland. I have also received national certification as a STEM educator through the National Institute of STEM Education. Through my work with STEM education, I have helped numerous school systems plan, develop, and implement their own STEM programs. 
My focus on STEM goes beyond the school setting as I was founding board member of M4 Reactor, Delmarva’s only Makerspace, Minds in Motion, the proposed children’s museum in Salisbury, and have sat on the Board of Advisors for the STEMCON national convention. When not doing all things STEM, I spend time with my wife Jessica and two daughters, Stevie Haze and Rowan Sage and our dog Sadie. In addition to family time, I also enjoy gardening, board gaming and rooting for all teams black and yellow!