Student Achievement Grants: Fall 2008 Recipients

California

Ms. Suzanne Osman, Los Angeles
6th to 8th Grade Librarian, Orville Wright Middle School
Partner: Ms. Jan Simonsen
Grant Amount: $5,000

A weekly Book Club will be implemented during lunch periods at Orville Wright Middle School. Students will read books at home and discuss their readings in class. For the final project, students will create a commercial to advertise a chosen book.

Colorado

Mr. Greg Kottcamp, Golden
9th to 12th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Golden High School
Partner: Mr. Kurt Ohlen
Grant Amount: $5,000

Social studies students in Golden High School will be directed to groups of documents on the National Archive Records Administration's website from which certain pre-determined questions can be answered. After answering the questions, the students will complete a brief PowerPoint presentation illustrating their findings and citing documents used.

Florida

Mrs. Jeanne Snedeker, Bonita Springs
Kindergarten to 5th Grade Dance and Drama Teacher, Bonita Springs Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Carol Davis
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Snedeker and Ms. Davis will partner with a local theater to use theater practice and technique in History and Language Arts classes. The monologue form will be used to explore history, while script development will be used to engage students in writing, language, and creative exercises.

Mrs. Ashley D. Jarvis-Parlato, Leesburg
Kindergarten to 3rd Grade Exceptional Student Education Teacher
Partner: Ms. Mary Emma Lodge
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students will gain insight into where their food comes from via a series of trips to local farms, seed stores, grocers, and restaurants. A campus vegetable garden will also be cultivated by the students. Lessons involving math, literature, and community will be integrated throughout the year.

Mrs. Jessica Noblin, Leesburg
1st Grade Teacher, Leesburg Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Lisa Chavis
Grant Amount: $5,000

Through "The Golden Eagles are Going Green," Mrs. Noblin's and Mrs. Chavis' first grade classes will implement the school's first recycling plan. The program will build a rationale for recycling, which will enable students to learn the importance of recycling through critical thinking, inquiry, and self-directed learning.

Idaho

Ms. Kristy Turco, Hailey
Kindergarten to 5th Grade Teacher, Hailey Elementary School
Partner: Mr. Mark Sauvageau
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students will develop technology skills for research, communication, and collaboration and apply those skills to foster relationships with international students. Using these skills, students will participate in global communication exchange programs, which will provide them opportunities to become communicators, global citizens, and stewards of the earth, ready to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Illinois

Mrs. Laurie Gough, Troy
1st Grade Teacher, C.A. Henning Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Ginny Frey
Grant Amount: $5,000

First grade students will create visual representations depicting information gained from investigating the animal kingdom. Students will choose animals, identify and describe their habitats and life cycles, and compare them to other animals. A presentation of findings will occur at the school�s annual book fair.

Ms. Erin Mullarney, Schiller Park
4th to 8th Grade Music Teacher, Washington Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Kathleen Risolvo
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Mullarney and Ms. Risolvo's students will study hip hop music and engage in critical thinking as they dissect the music in a series of hands-on learning centers. The students will use their problem solving skills to create their own songs by actively using each of the concepts presented.

Kentucky

Mrs. Risha Allen Mullins, Mt. Sterling
10th to 12th Grade English Teacher, Montgomery County High School
Partner: Mrs. Rachel Dwyer Mantooth
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Mullins and Mrs. Mantooth will expand the Moo Moo Book Club at Montgomery County High. As they read new books each month, the literacy of students in the club will increase through higher-order thinking and discussion, aligning with national and state standards.

Maryland

Ms. Kristina Lindes Belcher, Berlin
9th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Stephen Decatur High School
Partner: Mr. Brian Comroe
Grant Amount: $5,000

To improve the classroom participation and engagement of students who are Limited English Proficient, Ms. Lindes and Mr. Comroe will procure a SMART Board to be used in conjunction with current curriculum. The technology will create a more interactive classroom, leading to gains in student achievement in English and language arts.

Massachusetts

Mrs. Ana Paula Morgado-Pina, Boston
4th Grade Teacher, John D. Philbrick Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Kaye Stroshine
Grant Amount: $5,000

"Children Discovering Justice," a literacy-based social studies curriculum about rules and justice, will engage 1st-5th grade students in critical thinking and problem solving, deepening students� historical knowledge while enhancing literacy skills. The program will allow students to connect relevant issues with more abstract concepts, improving their habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.

Mrs. Anne Patrick, Roslindale
5th Grade Teacher, D.C. Haley Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Jessica Engebretson
Grant Amount: $5,000

An integrated boat building project will provide 5th graders the opportunity to understand the application of math, science, social studies, and literacy to the construction of wooden boats. Students will learn to apply geometry, spatial thinking, and measurement to boat construction. Additionally, students will research the history of African American involvement in Boston's maritime industry.

Michigan

Mrs. Jodi Blanke Decuf
2nd to 3rd Grade Teacher, Zilwaukee International Studies School
Partner: Ms. Mary Paetz
Grant Amount: $5,000

"Michigan Explorers" will encompass interactive lessons designed with students� needs in mind. Through various learning stations, students will improve their knowledge of Michigan history, civics, economics, and geography while simultaneously gaining stronger reading and writing skills.

Minnesota

Ms. Beverly Blomgren, Saint Paul
Service Learning Specialist/Educational Assistant, Humboldt Senior High School
Partner: Ms. Jodie Prohaska
Grant Amount: $5,000

Science and social studies students will determine a course of action to reduce the effects of erosion and water runoff on school grounds. Through engagement in service learning, students will also develop and begin implementation of a long-range plan to create natural habitats for urban flora and fauna.

Missouri

Dr. Sally Blackburn, Ballwin
6th to 8th Grade School Counselor, Rockwood School District
Partner: Ms. Suzanne Kalinowski
Grant Amount: $5,000

More than 150 low-performing students will receive counseling focused on community service. Students will utilize critical thinking, inquiry, reading comprehension, writing, and math skills to research and design a nature trail and outdoor classroom.

New Jersey

Mr. Jeff Belmonte, Vineland
Kindergarten to 5th Grade Computers Teacher, Johnstone School
Partner: Ms. Victoria Kaffenberger
Grant Amount: $5,000

Fourth grade students will be using Kid Biz 3000, a computer program that has been proven effective in improving literacy when students complete a specified number of weekly sessions. Economically disadvantaged students will be able to check out low-cost laptops containing the program.

New Mexico

Mrs. Jennifer Nix, Las Cruces
8th to 9th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Camino Real Middle School
Partner: Ms. Barbara Eichhorst
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Nix and Ms. Eichhorst will assist students in designing an online interactive school newspaper in an exploratory Journalism class. Students will visit a local newspaper for guidance, and create a web-based school newspaper that will allow the student body to respond to the news presented.

North Carolina

Mr. Ryan Knudsen, Greensboro
10th to 12th Grade Technology Teacher, Weaver Academy
Partner: Mr. Richard Loftis
Grant Amount: $5,000

The "SMARTT Challenge" will provide collaboration between Career & Technical students and Performing & Visual Arts students. Students will learn about important environmental, energy, and economic issues as they research options and then retrofit a gasoline powered car into an electric vehicle.

Ohio

Mrs. Rachel Parrett, Haviland
10th to 12th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Wayne Trace Junior/Senior High School
Partner: Ms. Christina Sinn
Grant Amount: $5,000

"The History for the Thumb Generation" project will motivate students by integrating technology with state standards in a way students will respect and understand. By incorporating technology into the social studies classroom, Mrs. Parrett and Mrs. Sinn will bridge the gap between regular education and special education classrooms.

Mr. Tom Bower, LaRue
4th Grade Teacher, Elgin West Elementary
Partner: Ms. Cathy Copeland
Grant Amount: $5,000

With guidance from Mr. Bower and Ms. Copeland, students will manage a bimonthly newsletter to be distributed to students and parents. The project will combine state standards from Language Arts and Technology.

Oregon

Ms. Naomi Feliz Kulog, Salem
3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher, Harritt Elementary School
Partner: Mrs. Kristen Taylor
Grant Amount: $5,000

Dual Language Intermediate educators will purchase document cameras and projectors to enhance their Reader�s and Writer�s Workshops for second language learners. Students will analyze mentor texts, facilitate peer revising and editing, significantly improve state writing convention scores, and allow classrooms to coach teachers more effectively in these strategies.

Pennsylvania

Mr. Mitchell Trembicki, Havertown
11th to 12th Grade Science Teacher, Haverford High School
Partner: Mr. Mark Wangberg
Grant Amount: $5,000

Seeking to gain knowledge about IPM, a technique growers use requiring advanced understanding of insect life-cycles and knowledge of pesticides and their environmental impacts, students will collect and analyze data, making recommendations that will be implemented in a local orchard.

Mrs. Laura Keding, Bethlehem
6th to 8th Grade Science Teacher, Broughal Middle School
Partner: Ms. Dawn Bothwell
Grant Amount: $5,000

Partnering with Lehigh University and the Bethlehem Recycling Center, students will research threats to the environment and design and test solutions to encourage their school and community to become better environmental stewards.

South Carolina

Mrs. Kim Petty, Union
District Testing Coordinator, Union County Schools
Partner: Ms. Pamela Gault
Grant Amount: $5,000

Through a program titled "These Great United States," students will travel the United States via classroom technology. The program will educate and encourage U.S. History students to join in learning about various regions of the United States and the contributions each make to our country.

Mr. Kevin Smoak, West Columbia
8th Grade Science Teacher, Pine Ridge Middle School
Partner: Ms. Maureen Gotterbarm
Grant Amount: $5,000

Hands-on manipulatives will be used to explore the relationship between the Earth and its place in the solar system. Students will interact with each other and instructors as they simulate the experience of being an astronaut or a mission control specialist at the NASA Challenger Learning Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tennessee

Mrs. Janet Dickens, Lafayette
Kindergarten Teacher, Fairlane Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Karla Drive
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Dickens and Ms. Drive will develop an informational book about their school to display at the local community center using an interactive whiteboard. Students will use the board for hands-on instruction across the curriculum while creating their class book.

Texas

Mrs. Gelyn Cornell, Houston
Pre-K to 4th Grade Science/Technology Specialist, Smith Elementary, Alief ISD
Partner: Ms. Angela Collins
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mrs. Cornell and Mrs. Collins will develop a science laboratory that provides teachers and students with resources to explore the nature of science in an inquiry-based setting. Students will learn the scientific method and apply critical thinking skills and decision-making in discovering scientific principles.

Virginia

Mrs. Michele Rzweski Copeland, Sterling
K-5th Grade Librarian, Potowmack Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Laura Snow
Grant Amount: $5,000

To help cultivate an appreciation for local history, students will participate in the �Living Loudoun County History� project. A local children�s author will meet with students to help them write their own historical narratives.

Washington

Ms. Marilyn Hall, Mountlake Terrace
3rd to 4th Grade Science Teacher, Terrace Park School
Partner: Ms. Peggi LaPlante
Grant Amount: $5,000

Using the entry level �Weather Bug� weather station and books about weather, clouds, storms, water cycles and careers involving weather, a multi-grade team of teachers will integrate science, math, geography, and technology to improve student achievement.

Wisconsin

Mrs. Amy Stuller, Milwaukee
Kindergarten Teacher, Phillis Wheatley Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Bonnie Liss
Grant Amount: $5,000

To improve vocabulary and pre-literacy reading skills of low socioeconomic, developmentally delayed students, a vocabulary program rich in experiential and hands-on discovery, coupled with an intensive parent-child-teacher reading program, will be implemented.