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	Last updated 6.15.05

Innovation Grants: Fall 2004 Recipients

The NEA Foundation's Innovation Grants are funded in part by Staples Recycle for Education.

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COLORADO

Carrie Zimmerman, Alamosa
8th Grade Teacher
Ortega Middle School
Partner: Bill Golsan
Through a multidisciplinary unit on how inventions have influenced American society, Ms. Zimmerman and Mr. Golsan enhance the technology and communication skills of their eighth-grade students. Students study the advantages and disadvantages of selected inventions throughout history. After designing their own inventions, students develop a marketing campaign to advertise and sell their products.

CONNECTICUT

Clare Taylor Reed, West Hartford
5th Grade Teacher
Louise Duffy Elementary School
Partner: Barbara Moran
Ms. Reed and Ms. Moran give their fifth-grade students first-hand experience with mapping and satellite technology by integrating science and mathematics into their geography curriculum. Using global positioning and imaging systems, students create maps of their community and contact students around the world to obtain and map data on the contacts’ respective locations.

FLORIDA

Julia Deery, Eustis
4th Grade Guidance Counselor
Seminole Springs Elementary School
Partner: Joyce Price
Ms. Deery and Ms. Price introduce their fourth-grade students to expository and narrative composition during a writing camp. Students participate in games and activities to learn grammar and write original essays for an anthology. At the conclusion of the writing camp, parent volunteers help students compile, publish, and bind the books.

Donna Hanak, St. Petersburg
10th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Northeast High School
Partner: Jenieff Watson
To address the learning needs and language skills of their immigrant student population, Ms. Hanak and Ms. Watson integrate the World and I digital library and international memoirs into the world literature curriculum. Students read and discuss folklore, informational texts, and memoirs in literature circles. Students also collaborate with students around the world to discuss human rights issues and global relations.

Toni Koy, West Palm Beach
3rd & 4th Grade Writing Resource Teacher
Wynnebrook Elementary School
Partner: Maxine Kangas
Students embark on a fantasy train journey across the United States to enhance their writing and geography skills. Using a model train set, students replicate the environmental features of U.S. geographical regions. After researching each region, students engage in expository and narrative writing activities.

Laura McCarthy, Ft. Lauderdale
1st Grade Teacher
Westwood Heights Elementary School
Partners: Maria Elena Alen, Sheneka Blue, Sharon Kasmarik, LaToya Thomas
With “Celebrations of Learning,” Ms. McCarthy and her partners increase the oral and written communication skills of their students. Students publish a magazine that contains articles and photographs to chronicle learning throughout the school year. In addition, students videotape presentations and share their work with parents at a curriculum night.

Jill Shadoff, Lake Worth
6th Grade Special Education Teacher
Tradewinds Middle School
Partner: Michael Berg
Through “Students Teaching Origami for Success,” Ms. Shadoff and Mr. Berg enhance the reading and mathematics skills of their students with learning disabilities. Students read about Sadako, a young Japanese girl who died in Hiroshima before realizing her goal to make 1,000 paper cranes, and the Sadako Peace Project, which began when Sadako’s classmates created paper cranes in her honor. After learning the geometrical concepts necessary for origami, students with special needs create lesson plans to teach origami techniques to students in general education classes. Students in special education classes keep daily “peace journals” to record their feelings and observations about the program.

Tara Skiles, Kissimmee
K to 2nd Grade Teacher
Partin Settlement Elementary School
Partner: Erika Horn
Ms. Skiles and Ms. Horn infuse language arts and mathematics into their science curriculum to develop the problem-solving and communication skills of their English language learners. Students engage in inquiry-based laboratory experiments and journal writing. At the end of the course, students showcase their knowledge and research at a junior science fair.

INDIANA

Susi Jordan, Cloverdale
6th Grade Science Teacher
Cloverdale Middle School
Partner: Jennifer Mann
In collaboration with the Brownsburg Challenger Learning Center, Ms. Jordan and Ms. Mann increase their students’ understanding of the scientific method through inquiry-based learning activities. Students work in teams to conduct experiments, on such topics as plate tectonics and blood pressure monitoring, and collect and graph data. To conclude the project, students present their experiments at a science fair.

KENTUCKY

Michael Ashley, Bledsoe
4th to 8th Grade Science Teacher
Green Hills Elementary School
Partner: Crystal Mitchell
Mr. Ashley and Ms. Mitchell create computer-based science modules to increase the technology skills of their students. Working in teams, students use resource materials to conduct research, engage in hands-on experiments, and graph and present data using computer software.

Stella Baker, Booneville
7th & 8th Grade Reading Teacher
Owsley County High School
Partner: Seneatha France
To improve literacy skills and encourage independent reading, Ms. Baker and Ms. France integrate science with language arts. Students study forensic science, learn from guest speakers about the role science plays in criminal investigations, read and analyze mystery books, and write about these books for journal exercises. For their final project, students write their own mystery books.

LOUISIANA

Elizabeth Rockett, New Orleans
7th & 8th Grade Literacy Facilitator
Murray Henderson Middle School
Partner: Susan Wolfe
Ms. Rockett and Ms. Wolfe infuse arts into the language arts curriculum to increase literacy and writing skills. While studying Louisiana jazz and blues and African-American poetry, students develop poetry anthologies and illustrate children’s books on Louisiana music. Students present their published work at a poetry jam for families and local writers.

MARYLAND

Melba Lucas, Springdale
9th to 12th Grade Dance Teacher
Charles Herbert Flowers High School
Partner: Paul Jones
To prepare their students for theatrical professions, Ms. Lucas and Mr. Jones establish Jaguar Players Technical Theater Crew Training Program. Students study principles and applications of lighting design, sound engineering, stage design, and theatrical production.

MICHIGAN

Cheri McCloughan, South Haven
10th & 12th Grade Teacher
South Haven High School
Partner: Cindy Liscow
Ms. McCloughan and Ms. Liscow develop a documentary project to build the technology, research, and communication skills of their students. After analyzing oral histories and documentaries, students identify senior citizens in South Haven to interview and film. Students create storyboards, film interviews with community members, and produce documents for the local historical society.

Tammy Messing, Sandusky
Pre-K to 4th Grade
Sanilac County Intermediate School District
Partner: Glenda Waterman
Ms. Messing and Ms. Waterman collaborate with parents to increase the language arts skills of their students with hearing and learning impairments. Students take home backpacks that contain books and supplemental learning activities. With their parents’ support, students analyze dramatic texts and answer content-related questions to enhance their critical thinking and reading comprehension skills.

MINNESOTA

Susan Fourniea, St. Paul
7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher
Cleveland Quality Middle School
Partners: David Barrett, Sarah Wood
Seventh-grade students travel to a local outdoor classroom to conduct student-designed environmental research. Students study animal adaptations, water-quality testing, biomes, and ecosystems. In the outdoor classroom, students collect data on animal activity, weather, and water quality. They then use graphing software to chart their observations.

Joanne Toft, Minneapolis
5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Marcy Open School
Partners: Julie Gray, Jan Hyman
To foster an understanding of how the U.S. Constitution relates to current events, Ms. Toft, Ms. Gray, and Ms. Hyman implement “The Constitution: A Living Document.” Collaborating with an attorney, the teachers guide students in analyzing primary sources and identifying Constitutional questions that emerge from current events. The project culminates with Constitution Day, when students share their projects with community members and peers.

MONTANA

James Schulz, Helena
9th & 10th Grade Science Teacher
Helena High School
Partner: Margaret Belisle
Mr. Schultz and Ms. Belisle create interdisciplinary units to increase students’ geology and language arts skills. Students use mapping equipment to explore the typology, animal activity, and developmental structure of western Montana and the greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Students share what they learn by writing and illustrating articles for a science column in a local newspaper.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Frances Boucher, Bellows Falls
9th to 12th Grade Teacher
Bellows Falls Union High School
Partners: Julia James-Torres, Jeryl Julian
To familiarize students with the cultural diversity of Bellows Falls, Ms. Boucher, Ms. James-Torres, and Mr. Julian design a multidisciplinary unit on genealogy. Students research their ancestry, compile and graph genealogical data, and explore the history and culture of their ancestors’ native countries. For their final project, students choose to publish their learning by producing a video for the community television network or write an article for the school newspaper.

OHIO

Jodi Taylor, Columbiana
9th to 12th Grade Biology Teacher
Columbiana High School
Partner: Nadine Martin
Collaborating with local police departments, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Martin design a unit on forensic science to increase their students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Students become familiar with the technology crime scene investigators use to analyze forensic evidence. At a simulated crime scene, students analyze fingerprints, DNA, fiber samples, and bloodstain patterns.

OKLAHOMA

Shae Factory, Okmulgee
6th to 8th Grade Teacher
Okmulgee Middle School
Partners: Keri Swyden, Janet Taylor
To increase the technology skills of their students, Ms. Factory, Ms. Swyden, and Ms. Taylor develop “Time Travel with a Theatrical and Technological Twist.” In this multidisciplinary project, the students use digital film to explore a historical theme. After researching a historical era, students write a script, design a screenplay, and stage a historically accurate depiction of that era. Students also host a Shakespeare Festival, in which they perform two plays for the school and community.

OREGON

Adam Kirsch, Corvallis
9th to 12th Grade Science Teacher
Crescent Valley High School
Partners: Tim Chambers, David Hackleman
High school and college students in science classes collaborate with the Oregon Department of Energy to develop a plan to use fuel cell technology to convert excess landfill gas to electrical energy. Students analyze the levels of excess gas that a local landfill is currently producing. Based on their research, students investigate whether high temperature fuel cells are suitable for converting the excess gas to electricity. Students present their findings and proposed plan to a nonprofit power cooperative and community members.

PENNSYLVANIA

Melody Beitzel, Duncannon
K to 5th Grade Reading Teacher
Susquenita Elementary School
Partners: Jill Beckley, Abby Foy
Ms. Beitzel, Ms. Beckley, and Ms. Foy establish the Community Resource and Lending Center in their district to provide developmental and educational materials for community students. The resource center contains materials that support grade-level curriculum and encourage parental involvement to prepare students for school or enrich their classroom learning.

Eric Bell, Hazleton
Instructor of Education
Pennsylvania State University—Hazelton Campus
Partner: Helen Grebski
Dr. Bell and Ms. Grebski relate technology to everyday life by introducing elementary students to simple machines. Collaborating with university engineering professors and parents, elementary teachers design activities and materials about simple machines that are used for everyday household tasks. After researching and analyzing simple machines, students use pulleys, gears, levers, and wheels to build their own machines.

Brenda Chow, East Petersburg
Health Care Assistant
Community School East
Partner: Susan Bryce
Collaborating with the American Heart Association, Ms. Chow and Ms. Bryce prepare their students with learning and emotional disabilities for first-aid certification. Students apply mathematical and problem-solving skills to common medical and traumatic emergencies. Through this course, Ms. Chow and Ms. Bryce hope to increase the self-confidence of their students while introducing them to career opportunities.

Paul Longwell, Hollidaysburg
11th & 12th Grade Physics Teacher
Hollidaysburg Area High School
Partner: Terry Hartman
Mr. Longwell and Mr. Hartman implement “Heart-Pounding Physics,” an interdisciplinary project that explores the bio-mechanical processes and stresses of physical activity. After a sports-science professor explains the relationship between science and physical exercise, students conduct a video analysis of the effect high-impact activities have on joints and bones. Students use data gathered from the videotapes to calculate the forces and accelerations athletes experience. At the project’s conclusion, students participate in Physics Day at a local amusement park, where they wear heart-rate monitors and skin-temperature sensors to record their reactions to various rides.

Robert Morrow, New Kensington
9th to 12th Grade Technology Instructo
Valley High School
Partners: Beth Ryce, Rick Shaner
Mr. Morrow, Ms. Ryce, and Mr. Shaner collaborate with local businesses to prepare students not planning on college for technical careers. Working in teams, students research, design, and construct a television production van that serves as a teaching tool. Students in technical writing classes produce a detailed manual that explains the operation and maintenance of the van’s mechanical systems.

Carrie Myers, Schnecksville
Associate Professor of English
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Partner: Kathleen Mayberry
Ms. Myers and Ms. Mayberry collaborate with local high schools to offer a poetry writing workshop. Students explore poetry by attending a coffeehouse where professional writers and poets read their work.

Debra Pieri, East Fallowfield
2nd Grade Teacher
East Fallowfield Elementary School
Partners: Linda Fowler, Harrison Hober
Ms. Pieri, Ms. Fowler, and Mr. Hober combine storytelling and the arts to create an intergenerational and cross-cultural curriculum. Communicating with a sister school in Germany and local World War II veterans, students explore the story of Lieutenant Arthur Sauler, a young American pilot who heroically died in World War II. Students study German artists, culture, and language, and write musical compositions using Orff instruments.

Samuel Reed III, Philadelphia
6th Grade Teacher
D. Beeber Middle School
Partners: Audrey Harris, Amy Hodgen, Maureen Quinn
Mr. Reed and his partners implement a program called “Who Am I? Using Multimedia and Performing Arts for Self Discovery and Making Literacy Connections” to improve their students’ reading and critical-thinking skills. Teachers collaborate with parents, performance artists, videographers, and multimedia specialists to help students understand and document connections among media, literacy, and the performing arts. Students write poetry, produce video documentaries, and create dances that depict various aspects of their lives.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Ann Altman, Newberry
8th Grade Mathematics Teacher
Newberry Middle School
Partner: Rachel Floyd
Through hands-on activities and cooperative learning, Ms. Altman and Ms. Floyd enhance the problem-solving and mathematics skills of their eighth-grade students. Students apply geometric properties as they design and paint ceramic tiles, create dream catchers and stained-glass windows, build model bridges, draft travel brochures, chart data, and develop their own game for a school-wide mathematics carnival.

Gail Calloway, Florence
7th Grade Teacher
Williams Middle School
Partner: Susan Rae
Ms. Calloway and Ms. Rae have created the interdisciplinary unit “China: Bridging the Wall” to increase students’ higher-level thinking skills and global understanding. In literature circles students read and discuss articles and stories about Chinese culture. Students also research origami and Chinese culture to create a PowerPoint presentation, and study the history of kite building to design and construct their own kites. Students showcase their work at an event for parents and their peers.

Lorraine Moore, Cowpens
1st Grade Mathematics Teacher
Cowpens Elementary School
Partners: Tammy Kirby, Wanda Noblin
Ms. Moore, Ms. Kirby, and Ms. Noblin, first-grade mathematics teachers, collaborate to improve students’ problem-solving skills. Students investigate geometry problems with Geoblocks, a set of wooden rectangular and triangular prisms and pyramids designed in proportional sizes related by volume. They also work with their families to complete problem-solving homework. After analyzing buildings in their community, students work in pairs to create plans for building their own town and build town models with Geoblocks.

TENNESSEE

Cynthia Gingold, Memphis
2nd Grade Teacher
South Park Elementary School
Partner: Pam Lawson
Dr. Gingold and Ms. Lawson integrate art, literature, and science to teach students about the solar system. Students read nonfiction books, write reflective essays and poetry, create murals and mobiles, and stage dance productions about the universe. At the project’s conclusion, students write and illustrate books about the solar system to share with parents and peers.

UTAH

Yevgeny Pevzner, Kearns
8th Grade Teacher
Kearns Junior High School
Partner: Pamela Carson
Ms. Pevzner and Ms. Carson connect science to their students’ everyday lives while improving reading and writing skills. Students conduct scientific experiments using common products, such as bubble gum and paper towels. With the data analyses from these experiments, students write and design a monthly science magazine to promote scientific understanding among their peers.

VIRGINIA

Christopher Kelly, Chester
9th to 12th Grade Technology Department Chair
Thomas Dale High School
Partners: Mark Hornick, Douglas Sable
Mr. Kelly, Mr. Hornick, and Mr. Sable develop students’ problem-solving skills while preparing them for careers through a unit on technology and global information systems. After studying the history and applicability of global positioning systems (GPS), students use GPS software to solve current event issues. In addition, students meet with community business leaders to learn about career opportunities.

WASHINGTON

Joseph Meersman, Toppenish
9th to 12th Grade Teacher
Toppenish High School
Partner: Robert Roybal
Mr. Meersman and Mr. Roybal increase the writing and communication skills of their English language learners through a unit that combines history and technology. Students create storyboards and use video cameras and video editing software to record their own speeches, which are modeled after historic newsmakers. For one of the productions, students recreate Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s fireside chats.

WISCONSIN

Linda Wamboldt, West Milwaukee
8th Grade History Teacher
West Milwaukee Middle School
Partner: James Liska
Through “Honoring the Past to Preserve our Future,” Ms. Wamboldt and Mr. Liska implement a historical preservation project to increase the problem-solving and historiographical skills of their eighth-grade students. Students research, write tour descriptions, and lead guided tours of historic buildings. Working with a local veterans’ hospital, students create a public service announcement on the historical significance of several Veterans Association buildings to generate support for placing them on the National Register of Historic Places.