Three Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) alumni were among 27 early-career high school teachers selected as Knowles Teaching Fellows this year.

The prestigious honor includes five years of support from the Knowles Teacher Initiative in the form of mentoring, leadership development opportunities, stipends, and grants for teaching materials. The fellowship is valued at $150,000 per teacher, according to the teaching initiative.

More than 80 graduates of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), or nearly 17 percent of all fellows, have won Knowles Fellowships since its inception in 2002.

“The Knowles Teacher Initiative makes a meaningful impact by supporting the professional development of exceptional science and math educators and building a community of practice and support to sustain and nurture them,” said Ira William Lit, professor of education and faculty director of STEP.

“We are deeply proud that so many STEP alums have been recognized as Knowles Fellows over the years,” he said. “It’s a reflection of their excellence, a commitment to serving communities who need them, and the quality of their preparation at Stanford.”

The following Stanford graduates were selected as 2023 Knowles Teaching Fellows:

Kelly Ho began her first year of teaching biology at Milpitas High School during the 2023-24 academic year. She earned a BS in biology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2021 and an MA in education from Stanford in 2023. 

Justin Park began his first year of teaching mathematics at San Francisco International High School during the 2023-24 academic year. He earned a BS in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2022 and an MA in education from Stanford in 2023. 

Kelsey Wong began her first year of teaching mathematics at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego during the 2023-24 academic year. She earned a BS in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018 and an MA in education from Stanford in 2023. 

For more about the fellows and the program, visit the Knowles Teacher Initiative website. Applications for 2024 Knowles Teaching Fellowships are now open.