U.S. Sen. Mark Begich yesterday announced Scott Kluever, 7th grade science teacher at Begich Middle School in Anchorage, has been selected to serve as an Education Fellow in Begich’s Washington, D.C. office.

With extensive experience as an educator for 19 years in the Anchorage School District, Kluever is serving the fellowship through the Department of Energy and was awarded the fellowship from the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. He will assist Begich’s office over the next year with a special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) issues.

“I am pleased to welcome Scott to our team,” Sen. Begich said. “Having his first-hand teaching knowledge will prove a valuable asset in advancing the importance of STEM education in classrooms in Alaska and across the country.”

Prior to his fellowship, Kluever taught 5^th grade for two years at Fairview Elementary School, followed by 11 years at Clark Middle School, both in Anchorage. He has spent the last six years as a 7^th grade teacher at Begich Middle School. In 2006, Kluever was awarded the Earth Science Teacher of the Year by the Alaska Geological Society as well as Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He was also named an Outstanding Educator/Role Model in 2003/04 by the Alaska Education Association.

Kluever holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay and received his Masters of Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He lives in Eagle River with his wife.