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	Last updated 10/16/02

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

2002 Finalist and Recipient of The Horace Mann–
NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

Judie Woodhouse
MEA-MFT (Montana)

Judie Woodhouse teaches English, journalism, media studies, and speech at Polson High School in Polson, Montana. Since joining the Polson faculty in 1976, she has developed an award-winning school newspaper program. As a key leader for the district's school-to-work program, her efforts have been recognized as exemplary by the state of Montana, the US Department of Education, and the National Center for Research in Vocational Education. She is the 2002 Montana Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Woodhouse strives to make her teaching relevant to students through the school's career development program--Students Aligning Interests, Learning & Studies (SAILS). For the past five years, she has taught a senior digital portfolio class that was developed through a cooperative workgroup of teachers, students, parents, higher education faculty, and community members. The SAILS program has not only raised the bar for Polson students in achieving their academic and career goals, but also has provided an opportunity for Ms. Woodhouse and her colleagues to innovate and transform their own teaching practices.

Ms. Woodhouse is currently president of the Polson Education Association, the local MEA-MFT affiliate, and has used this position to increase public relations activities, civic involvement, and collaboration between the association and the school district. Her participation in MEA-MFT's statewide recruitment and political programs has made her an invaluable advocate for the teaching profession, according to MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. "Judie fully understands the politics of education," Feaver says, "and is relentless in the battle to improve education for each and every child and teacher, not only in Montana but nationwide. Her dedication is unmatched."

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