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Six Washington teachers named state level finalist for national math and science award

Posted by League of Education Voters on September 10, 2012

Superintendent Randy Dorn announced this morning that six Washington elementary teachers have been selected as finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest honor for K-12 science and math teachers and is awarded once a year to teachers from each state and U.S. jurisdictions and territories. To be considered for the award, teachers must first be nominated, complete an application and have that application be approved by state and national selection committees.

In a press release announcing the finalist, Dorn stated, “What is most impressive about this group of teachers is their incredible skill in reaching students with a wide variety of ability in math and science. In their classrooms students who have struggled seem to flourish, and accomplished students achieve even higher.”

The state-level finalists are:

Allison Greenberg, Hawthorne Elementary, Everett
Pam Nolan-Beasley, Waitsburg Elementary, Waitsburg
Debra Strong, Forest View Elementary, Everett
Deborah Halperin, Laurelhurst Elementary, Seattle
Kristina Peterson, Lakeside, Seattle
Nancy Pfaff, Horace Mann Elementary, Redmond

More information can be found here.

Tags: STEM, success stories, teachers

Posted in: Blog

Honors for a Washington principal and the 2013 teacher of the year [UPDATE]

Posted by League of Education Voters on September 7, 2012

Toppenish High School Principal Trevor Greene has been named high school principal of the year. Greene oversaw improvement in math and science and the creation of a Robotics team. He will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington D.C.

UPDATE: Principal Greene was recently interviewed by Enrique Cerna on KCTS9. Watch the video here.

The 2013 teacher of year will be announced by State Superintendent Randy Dorn at a special ceremony at the EMP on September 17th.

Here is the list of finalists:

Monte Syrie, Cheney High School
Jeffrey Charbonneau, Zillah High School
Eric Saueracker, Hudson’s Bay High School
Pamelia Valentine, Oakland Bay Junior High School
Richard Newell, Central Kitsap High School
Darcy Smith, McMicken Heights Elementary
Brian Sites, River’s Edge High School
Barbara Fry Quintasket, Paschal Sherman Indian School
Rick Gile, Everett High School

The nine finalists represent the state’s nine educational service districts.

Tags: principals, success stories, teachers

Posted in: Blog

Comparing President Obama and Governor Romney's education plans

Posted by League of Education Voters on September 7, 2012

On the NPR segment Tell me More, host Michele Martin interviewed Education Week writer Alyson Klein about the two presidential candidates’ education platforms.

The interview kicked off with Martin asking Klein how she and those in the education policy field feel about the amount of attention that education was getting (or not getting) at the two conventions. Klein responded that in the case of both the DNC and RNC, education has been a side issue to the economy.

Martin then asked Klein to compare Obama and Romney’s education stances. Klein said that Romney’s plan asks for a “robust” role for private school choice. If elected, Romney would give federal dollars directly to parents to use at public or private schools. Klein confirmed that the Obama administration has spent a record amount of education, in spite of the recession. The administration has spent $100 billion on education in the stimulus plan and has awarded grants in several different Race to the Top competitions.

Klein said that both candidates are “big fans of charter schools” and both want teacher evaluations revamped.

Listen to the full interview here.

Tags: accountability, charter schools, federal, funding, K-12, Race to the Top, teachers

Posted in: Blog