Stars and STEM Stories
Presidential Awards for GLOBE Teachers
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House recently honored nine GLOBE teachers with one of this country's most prestigious teaching awards: The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Teachers who receive the award "represent a premier group of science and mathematics teachers, who bring national and state standards to life in their classrooms," according to the NSF. "They provide the nation with an impressive array of expertise." Each teacher also brought home a Presidential citation and a $7,500 NSF. grant, to be spent under his or her direction over a 5-year period to improve the school's math or science programs.
GLOBE awardees included: Jessie Good (Kohler Public Schools, Kohler, WI), Sherri Garrett Kennedy (Gettys Middle School, Easley, SC), John Zalvaney (Foshay Learning Center, Los Angeles, CA), Maria Santiago (Escuela S.U. Dr. Cayetano Coll Y Toste, Bajadero, PR), Tina King (West Elementary, Mount Juliet, TN), Geraldine Jones (Mississippi School for the Deaf, Jackson, MS), Lyn Countryman (Malcolm Price Lab School, Cedar Falls, IA), Martha Mackay (Pinson Elementary, Pinson, AL), Jane Borland (Lamar High School, Arlington, TX).
The teachers traveled to Washington DC, where they were honored at a State Department dinner, had a private tour of the White House, met with GLOBE officials at GLOBE headquarters in Washington, and participated in a number of workshops and events.
"I never expected to be part of anything like this," said Mr. Zavalney. "It makes you get all pumped up. It's good to see teachers being honored and especially in the company of other GLOBE teachers. I probably would not be here being honored if I weren't with GLOBE."
Once nominated, teachers wrote an extensive application that asked for details about their teaching and leadership records. "I cited my GLOBE soils protocols as my example of my 'best lesson,'" said Ms. Good. "I think it speaks well of GLOBE."
Many of the GLOBE teachers said they would be using the money for GLOBE activities. For example, Ms. Kennedy's school district is reorganizing, and she will take that opportunity and her award money to expand GLOBE throughout the district. She will be teaching in a middle school with a team approach and, as a team leader, wants to coordinate GLOBE with her team's curriculum integration plans.
"The reading, science, geography and math will work well together," she said. "GLOBE helps us with what we want to do."
04 August 2000