Student Achievement Grants Fall 2009

ALABAMA

Ms. Melinda Hand, Tuscumbia
1st Grade Teacher, Colbert Heights Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Gina Moore
Grant Amount: $5,000

Through the implementation of technologically enhanced workstations, first grade students will use instructional materials to explore and expand their literacy by engaging in standards-based activities that develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.  The grantees will transform the first grade classroom into a literature-rich environment consisting of multiple workstations where students will participate in developmentally appropriate self-directed learning activities.

CALIFORNIA

Ms. Melissa Wantz, Ventura
10th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Foothill Technology High School
Partner: Mrs. Robin Houlahan
Grant Amount: $5,000

High school students from coastal communities in California and Sierra Leone will practice inquiry, research, and writing in an online social network centered on themes from world literature and history.  Students and their teachers will select the best of the writing, poetry, and art to be published and professionally printed as a book, with 150 copies distributed to students and community members on both sides of the globe.

COLORADO

Ms. Terry Highfield, Evans
4th Grade Teacher, Ann K. Heiman Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Debbie Highfield
Grant Amount: $5,000

Second and fourth grade students will take part in a pilot program where iPods will be used to support the writing process.  Audio and visual prompts on the iPods will inspire students to write about new ideas.  Students will then have the opportunity to publish podcasts and other creative digital presentations of their work.

CONNECTICUT

Mrs. Arlene Herens, Hamden
7th to 8th Grade Librarian, Hamden Middle School
Partner: Mrs. Sandra Carey
Grant Amount: $5,000

Working as a team with a seventh grade English teacher, art teacher, and reading specialist, Mrs. Herens and Mrs. Carey will introduce students to classic tales in graphic format.  Starting with the graphic novel to hook students' interest, readers will eventually move to the full classic text.  After reading a collection of graphic novels, students will use a multimedia approach to create their own graphic novels that will become part of the media center collection.

GEORGIA

Ms. Lottie Harris, Griffin
4th Grade Teacher, Jackson Road Elementary
Partner: Mrs. Melinda Owens
Grant Amount: $5,000

In order to improve achievement in language arts learners, first through fifth grade teachers will incorporate testing skills into grade level specific “Coach Books.”  The materials will give teachers and students useful information to use in planning additional instruction and activities to help students meet and exceed high standards which are assessed on the Criterion Referenced Competency Test.

ILLINOIS

Ms. Anna Klein, Park Ridge
10th to 12th Grade Chemistry Teacher, Maine East High School
Partner: Mrs. Angie Etzwiler
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students in the Chemistry Plus Program will conduct research on various topics involving real life applications of chemistry.  Based on this research, students will prepare two chemical demonstrations of their choice and perform these demonstrations to middle school students within the school district. 

MARYLAND

Ms. Kelly Boutin, Thurmont
Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Reading Intervention Teacher, Thurmont Primary School
Partner: Mrs. Trisha Kessler

In order to strengthen and improve proficiency for students who need practice in explicit reading skills, students will use a computer based supplemental literacy program, Lexia Reading.  By providing explicit, systematic, and structured practice in phonics, the program will focus on the skills students need to practice in order to become successful readers.

MAINE

Ms. Sarah Gorden, Stockton Springs
Kindergarten Teacher, Stockton Springs Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Erin Ireland
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Gorden and Mrs. Ireland will implement a hands-on, discovery-based curriculum in kindergarten and first grade.  Using Montessori math, language, science, and social studies materials, students and teachers will work collaboratively with a fundamental focus on differentiated instruction.  Students will strengthen core concept knowledge, build problem-solving skills, and become self-directed, confident, lifelong learners.

MICHIGAN

Mr. Lee Rometti, Iron River
9th to 12th Grade Business Teacher, West Iron County Schools
Partner: Ms. Carol Walbrink
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students from Mr. Rometti's high school business classes and Ms. Walbrink's fifth grade class will work together to produce a promotional video which will be available to the public and viewable on the web.  Students will develop and analyze surveys, plan visual effects and photograph ideas, create drawings, select music, and learn professional filming techniques.

Mrs. Tracy McMartin, Bay City
1st Grade Teacher, MacGregor Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Kathy Pounders
Grant Amount: $5,000

Through the implementation of Photography as a Focused and Reflective Learning Tool, Mrs. McMartin and Mrs. Pounders will facilitate first grade student learning in a variety of cross-curricular lessons using photography to record their learning.  Children will use photographs in authentic ways, to construct meaning, and learn to trust themselves and their learning.

MINNESOTA

Mr. Scott Prescott, Chaska
6th to 8th Grade Music Teacher, Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Partner: Mrs. Tricia Stolz
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mr. Prescott and Mrs. Stolz will provide middle school instrumentalists the opportunity to increase their confidence and become leaders through solo musical performance.  By practicing and performing solo literature along with the accompaniment SmartMusic software, students will increase their musical competence and confidence.

Mrs. Christina Mattson, Aurora
1st to 6th Grade Special Education Teacher, Mesabi East Schools
Partner: Mr. Jeremy Fleming
Grant Amount: $5,000

At-risk and special education students will take a leadership role in Mrs. Mattson and Mr. Fleming's Giants Go Green recycling project.  Using critical thinking and problem-solving skills, at-risk high school students will work cooperatively with elementary special needs students to develop a recycling plan for the school building.  Students will also positively impact their school community by designing educational materials for the student body.

MISSOURI

Ms. Lea Ann Pitcher, Raytown
9th to 12th Grade Mathematics Teacher, Raytown High School
Partner: Ms. Melanie Dowell
Grant Amount: $5,000

By utilizing a student-response clicker system, algebra students will get immediate feedback and will be able to keep track of their progress on learning objectives.  Daily opening and closing questions will be used to check for student understanding and to motivate students’ accountability for their learning, allowing them to utilize interactive technology to bring algebra concepts into hands-on, visual representations.

NORTH CAROLINA

Ms. Melissa Hamlin, Mount Airy
8th Grade Science Teacher, Meadowview Middle School
Partner: Mrs. Heather Stafford
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Hamlin and Mrs. Stafford will allow students to explore various diseases and their impact on society during a rigorous interdisciplinary project.  Through an integrated approach, students will study concepts in all core subjects to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes and effects of infectious diseases.  Students will use critical thinking skills to determine possible preventions of the diseases and demonstrate their problem-solving skills by developing a plan of action if an epidemic of their diseases were to erupt.

NEW JERSEY

Ms. Jeanne Oetting, Cape May
5th to 6th Grade Special Education Teacher, Sandman Consolidated School
Partner: Mrs. Ann Marie Skerry
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Oetting and Mrs. Skerry will move from leading and directing to guiding and responding with the use of interactive technology in the classroom.  Students will work with an interactive whiteboard, multiple integrated devices, and digital lesson materials in ways that will encourage active participation and interest in demonstrating their proficiencies.

OHIO

Mrs. Carey Bonifas, Sidney
4th Grade Mathematics and Science Teacher, Northwood Intermediate School
Partner: Mrs. Joy Hall
Grant Amount: $5,000

Fourth grade teachers at Northwood Intermediate School will collaborate to create learning stations for all fourth grade students.  These stations will be specifically created to engage and capture the attention of the students in targeted areas of weakness in reading and mathematics.  Teachers will analyze results from 3rd and 4th grade Ohio Achievement Tests to determine targeted areas.

Mrs. Cynthia Sutyak, Parma
9th to 12th Grade Biology Teacher, Normandy High School
Partner: Mr. Thomas Verlie
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Sutyak's biology and Mr. Verlie's physics classes will use current technology to complete inquiry-based investigations.  These projects will prepare the students with 21st century skills in STEM research by focusing on the plastic crisis, which is quickly becoming a detriment to people and organisms around the world.  This timely topic will enhance educators’ ability to ensure the success of students, as they become consumers that are more thoughtful.

Mrs. Ruth Anker, Cambridge
9th to 12th Grade Computer Science Teacher, Cambridge High School
Partner: Ms. Samantha Highman
Grant Amount: $5,000

In an effort to encourage students to enter the engineering field and to develop cross-curricular skills between technology, math, and science, Mrs. Anker and Ms. Highman will develop a course in robotics.  Students will be encouraged to develop skills in designing, building, and programming robotic droids and will collaborate on designing a competition in which they will test their robots. 

OKLAHOMA

Ms. Joyce Hembree, Tulsa
Kindergarten Teacher, Mark Twain Elementary
Partner: Mrs. Wendy Gibson
Grant Amount: $5,000

To develop a vision for the future, Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Hembree's classes will participate in multi-dimensional instruction including field trips, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and literature experiences to explore career opportunities and life possibilities.  In On Our Way, students with peer mentors will gain insight into educational and career paths necessary for graduation and employment.  A culminating trip to a local university will provide the students with the stimulus to create a presentation board detailing an educational/career path which will be displayed at a school-wide program.

PENNSYLVANIA

Ms. Leanne Schrier, Doylestown
10th to 12th Grade Mathematics Teacher, Central Bucks High School West
Partner: Mr. Jason Jaffe
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Schrier and Mr. Jaffe will create an ActivClassroom to increase student engagement and achievement.  By using interactive, technology-rich lessons, students will be equipped with the 21st century skills necessary for success in higher education and the workplace.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Ms. Dolores Johnson, Florence
7th to 8th Grade Arts Teacher, Williams Middle School
Partner: Ms. Ginny Alexander
Grant Amount: $5,000

Advanced dance students at Williams Middle School will attend the South Carolina Dancing Festival (SCDAncing Festival).  Upon returning to school, they will share their experiences with 200 other students in dance classes.  Students will also use dance to create projects for their own core classes built around their dance experiences.

TEXAS

Ms. Blair Williams, Woodway
5th to 12th Grade Director of Orchestras, Midway Independent School District
Partner: Mr. Matt Cross
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Williams and Mr. Cross will implement a curriculum of improvisation instruction with middle school and high school orchestra students.  Students will learn to improvise short melodic passages freely over a harmonic structure.  After completing the 12-week curriculum, students will work with an artist-in-residence on developing appropriate melodic shape, jazz style, and string techniques applicable to jazz.

VIRGINIA

Ms. Estela Landeros, Fairfax
Assistive Technology Coordinator, George Mason University
Partner: Dr. Michael Behrmann
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students with cognitive disabilities will be taught how to use public transportation so they may be autonomous in their travel.  This project will develop travel training designed in a mobile device that provides different levels of support to deliver personalized information to individuals.

WASHINGTON

Ms. Nancy Olsten, Auburn
10th to 12th Grade Language Arts Teacher, West Auburn High School
Partner: Mr. Thomas Parsons
Grant Amount: $5,000

In order to deepen critical thinking and problem solving skills in at-risk students, Ms. Olsten and Mr. Parsons will introduce global issues through cross-curricular, activity-based learning.  Students will consider issues through biographies, interviews, and research.  Interaction with students in Africa will allow West Auburn students to develop an appreciation for African culture through the study of music, art, and film. 

Ms. Kareen Borders, Lakebay
6th to 8th Grade Science Teacher, Key Peninsula Middle School
Partner: Mr. Ron Stark
Grant Amount: $5,000

Key Peninsula Middles School will implement a three-tiered "launching pad” comprised of student-centered foundational elements: infusion of Aerospace based STEM into multiple curricular areas with an emphasis on the use of technology as an instructional and a learning tool; student engagement in extended and immersive STEM research experiences; and an increased connection between students and the greater STEM community.

WISCONSIN

Ms. Barbara Corsi, Madison
3rd to 5th Grade Special Education Teacher, Marquette Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Sue Zwart
Grant Amount: $5,000

Language arts students at Marquette Elementary will increase their written expression skills by participating in Spelling Masters of the Universe.  This school-wide spelling program will offer students the opportunity to work at their instructional levels.  Flexible grouping will be made possible by several different levels being taught simultaneously.