Two members
recently were awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math
and Science Teaching. Juneau EA member Jennifer Thompson
won the science award, and Anchorage EA member Rebecca
Sorensen won the math award. The Presidential Awards are
the nation’s highest honor for teaching mathematics or science.
Every year up to 108 recipients of the Presidential Awards receive
the following: A citation signed by the President, a $10,000 award
from the National Science Foundation, and a paid trip for two to
Washington, DC, to attend a week-long series of recognition events
and professional development opportunities.
The National
Art Education Association recently named Anchorage Education
Association member Leslie Matz the Alaska Art Educator
of the Year. Matz is the fine arts chairman at Dimond High School
where he has taught art for 16 years.
The Alaska
Geological Society has recognized Steve Tyree as the
Alaska Earth Science Teacher of the Year for 2006-07 school year.
Tyree will receive $500 for classroom equipment or personal science
training. Tyree is a 7th grade integrated science
teacher at Kotzebue Middle/High School and has been a teacher in
the Northwest Arctic Borough School District for more than 30 years.
Congratulations to the following Anchorage Education Association
members who were honored with 2007 BP Teachers for Excellence
awards: Anita Vancil, Rogers Park Elementary School;
Perry Lewis, Eagle River High School; Regina
Dietrich, South High School; Gretchen Hopkins,
Campbell Elementary School; Pamela Orme, West High
School; Jerry Dowling, Aquarian Charter School;
Andy Bydlon, Ravenwood Elementary School; Suzan
Mullane, Wendler Middle School; and Stephany LaPointe,
Rabbit Creek Elementary School. One of these teachers will be
chosen BP’s Anchorage Teacher of the Year.
Anchorage
Education Association members Dona Helmer, College
Gate Elementary; and Gabrielle Willis,
High School Orchestra Teacher, were recently awarded
Leadership Grants from NFIE. Grants range from $2,000 to $5,000.
Ms. Helmer and her fourth grade teaching partners
participate in a year-long study group to explore methods of
implementing a new reading program to meet the diverse needs of
their students. The study group examines how students learn,
investigates research on teaching strategies and effective
practices, and surveys methods that enable them to effectively teach
reading and research skills to at-risk students. Participants share
their learning with colleagues during faculty meetings and
professional development sessions on literacy and make a
presentation at the Alaska State Literacy Association’s annual
conference.
To
increase the achievement of her diverse orchestra students,
Ms. Willis attends the Ohio State University String Teacher
Workshop. At this workshop, she studies with internationally
renowned string clinicians to learn to incorporate nonverbal modes
of instruction, gain advanced instrumental skills, and collect
culturally relevant teaching materials. Ms. Willis shares her new
knowledge and materials with her colleagues through presentations at
district-wide music in-services and the creation of a summer credit
course for teachers.
