Learning and Leadership Grants Summer 2009

ARIZONA

Ms. Penny Kotterman, Phoenix
Kindergarten to 12th Grade Center Associate Director of New Programs and Policy, Northern Arizona University
Partner: Mr. Andrew Morrill
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Kotterman will combine two efforts: the “Innovative Spaces Project,” which re-engineers recycled shipping containers as learning spaces for students and teachers, and the “Arizona Teacher Leaders Network,” which provides opportunities for educators to develop online learning communities around shared interests and action research questions. The combination of the two efforts will allow educators to work in collegial teams to define and map innovative curriculum development.

CALIFORNIA

Ms. Adina Sullivan, San Marcos
3rd Grade Teacher, San Marcos Elementary
Grant Amount: $2,000

Ms. Sullivan will attend the National Education Computing Conference in order to understand better the use of podcasting and digital storytelling as tools to engage English language learners. After attending the conference, Ms. Sullivan will prepare and present resources and materials for Technology Tuesday school site trainings, as well as share resources with other Technology Lead Teachers within the district.

COLORADO

Mr. Jeremy Hoffer, Denver
9th Grade Language Arts Teacher, East High School
Partner: Mr. John Youngquist
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mr. Hoffer will lead a group of educators in the departments of English, science, and social studies in forming a professional learning community to improve their knowledge regarding differentiated instruction in order to be more effective teachers of heterogeneous classes. The group will share its learning with colleagues as the school continues to look for ways to close achievement gaps.

DELAWARE

Mrs. Peggy McKibbin, Camden
School Nurse, Postlethwait Middle School
Partner: Mrs. Susan Hoffmann
Grant Amount: $5,000

School nurses within the district will increase their knowledge regarding all aspects of diabetes management. Instructors from the National Association of School Nursing will conduct seminars that will allow Mrs. McKibbin and her colleagues to become experts in dealing with diabetes. Each school nurse who participates in the program will be able to share his or her knowledge and educate school staff, counselors, cafeteria staff, coaches, and bus drivers to help meet the needs of diabetic students.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Mr. Larry Donathan, Washington
Kindergarten to 8th Grade ESOL Teacher, Randle Highlands Elementary School
Grant Amount: $2,000

In order to improve the English Language proficiency of low and mid-level English language learners, Mr. Donathan will incorporate Rosetta Stone software into classroom instruction. The program will enable Mr. Donathan to integrate technology and differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students.

FLORIDA

Mr. Richard Byrd, Kissimmee
6th to 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Kissimmee Middle School
Grant Amount: $2,000

Mr. Byrd will learn instructional strategies at the International Aquaponics and Tilapia Aquaculture Course. These strategies will aide in the establishment of a hydroponics system within an urban school setting. Upon completion of his summer hands-on training, Mr. Byrd will implement programs learned at the Science Summer Camp by teaching students how to create a functioning hydroponics system that could be used to supplement current farming techniques. Mr. Byrd will share with other teachers through workshops on how to establish their own hydroponics program.

MASSACHUSETTS

Ms. Marissa Conti, Jamaica Plains
1st Grade Teacher, Joseph P. Manning Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Shannon Windus
Grant Amount: $5,000

Realizing that for a student to be academically successful his or her emotional needs must be met, staff at Joseph P. Manning will create a school-wide community through the Responsive Classroom method. The teacher leaders participating in the group will delve deeply into the cultural aspects of this work with the intent to include parents, teachers, students, and administrators.

MICHIGAN

Ms. Amy Wild, South Lyons
9th to 12th Grade Math Teacher, South Lyon High School
Partner: Mrs. Lisa Kudwa
Grant Amount: $5,000

Fifteen secondary math teachers will meet in a "Math Summit" throughout the year to share best instructional practices, work on curriculum articulation from grades seven to twelve, discuss research and learning resources, analyze data, and utilize backward design to ensure tight alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The goal of the summit is to increase student math achievement, particularly in Algebra 1, which is the foundation for the Michigan high school graduation requirements.

MINNESOTA

Mr. Carl Anderson, Goodhue
Technology Curriculum Integration Specialist, Goodhue Public School
Partner: Mr. Joseph Sand
Grant Amount: $5,000

To develop innovative and effective ways of engaging students with technology, Mr. Anderson and his colleagues will form a study group to investigate the integration of mobile technologies in the classroom. The study group will examine the prevalence of mobile technologies and how important a tool they can be in engaging students in and outside of the classroom.

MISSOURI

Mrs. Terre Redmon, Springfield
Kindergarten Teacher, Bingham Elementary
Grant Amount: $2,000

Building on a professional development plan to decrease student referrals and learn how to build positive relationships with students, Mrs. Redmon will attend the Jim Fay Love and Logic Conference. While attending, she will learn classroom discipline strategies that help build self-discipline and responsibility for students and how to eliminate teacher-student power struggles.

MONTANA

Mrs. Allison Bakken, Townsend
5th Grade Teacher, Townsend Schools
Grant Amount: $2,000

To improve her science and math instruction and increase differentiation through 21st century skills, Mrs. Bakken will attend the National Educational Computing Conference. Mrs. Bakken will share her learning by providing professional developmental for faculty and workshops that incorporate technology into math and science using research based materials. Additionally, she will share her experiences and knowledge through developing resources available to faculty, parents, and the community.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mrs. Cynthia Messina, Derry
Technology Assistant, East Derry Memorial Elementary School
Grant Amount: $2,000

Mrs. Messina will participate in the PBS TeacherLine/ISTE Certificate Program to create an understanding of the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and incorporate them into the development of electronic portfolios. Realizing the importance of electronic portfolios in integrating technology with curriculum, Mrs. Messina will implement their use in first through eighth grade.

NEW YORK

Ms. Teresa Noto, Farmingdale
Assistant Professor, Farmingdale State College
Grant Amount: $2,000

Realizing the importance of alternative energy as it pertains to her students’ preparedness for post-collegiate work, Ms. Noto will attend the Society of Automotive Engineers Fundamentals of Hybrid Electric Vehicles Seminar. After completing the seminar, Ms. Noto will ensure that curriculum within her department is current with advances in the automotive industry.

OKLAHOMA

Ms. Kelli Davis, Oklahoma City (No Release; Grant was declined)
11th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Putnam City High School
Grant Amount: $2,000

Ms. Davis will attend the Crossroads of Medieval Cultures and Languages seminar, which will allow for academic research and provide inter-disciplinary professional development. The seminar will also aid Ms. Davis in fostering an understanding in her students of language and its impact on culture and the role of independent research.

VIRGINIA

Ms. Denise Purvis, Chester
9th to 12th Grade Art Teacher, Thomas Dale High School
Grant Amount: $2,000

Ms. Purvis will attend Bill Evans's Summer Dance Teachers Intensive to gain high-quality training in dance technique, body/mind practices, and dance pedagogy. The program focuses on nurturing teachers artistically and increasing their pedagogical prowess. Ms. Purvis will share increased knowledge and classroom skills with dance students, as well as fellow teachers in the fine and performing arts program at Thomas Dale High School.

WISCONSIN

Mrs. Mary Denk, Edgar
2nd to 5th Grade Teacher, Edgar Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Jessica Ristow
Grant Amount: $5,000

Teachers and staff at Edgar Elementary School will participate in a four day intensive training, “Reaching All by Creating Learning Communities.” Participants will use the knowledge gained from the workshop to assure the healthy development of every child by transforming the school environment into a positive learning community. Quarterly meetings will be established for all staff to share the successes in their classrooms and brainstorm around areas in need of improvement.