DALLAS, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas
Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN), Foundation presented its
Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards yesterday to 18 teachers from
six local school districts during a ceremony at TI's Dallas headquarters. This year, the program
was expanded to include teachers from the Garland and Lancaster independent school districts (ISDs)
along with those from the Dallas,
Mesquite, Plano and Richardson ISDs.
The awards program, now in its ninth year, honors local
secondary math and science teachers who consistently demonstrate
quality instruction and build student achievement in the STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. Each honoree
receives $10,000, of which
$5,000 is directly awarded to the
teacher. The other $5,000 is to be
used at his or her discretion for professional development or
instructional technology. The grants are awarded through the
independent foundations that support each district.
To date, the TI Foundation has invested more than $1 million in the STEM Awards to recognize and
help retain 122 excellent teachers in North Texas school districts.
"These teachers are true STEM champions, and we are pleased to
have the opportunity to honor them," said Ann Pomykal, TI Foundation director of major
education gifts. "The work they do is essential to preparing future
innovators, discoverers and explorers."
"A key strategy to improving student achievement in math and
science is teacher effectiveness. That is why we focus our support
on this area, with a special emphasis on reaching girls and
minorities who are underrepresented in STEM careers," she
said. "As STEM-related jobs become a larger pillar of the
U.S. economy, we rely on teachers like those we are honoring today
to make STEM subjects interesting and accessible to all
students."
Principals nominate teachers for the STEM awards based on
criteria, such as demonstrating and documenting teaching
effectiveness, establishing classroom innovation, participating in
education activities outside the classroom, and encouraging
curiosity and increasing interest in STEM subjects among students.
Teams within each district review the applications and make
classroom observations. After a detailed selection process, the
winners were announced.
The 2015 TI Foundation STEM Award recipients are:
Dallas ISD
Robert Allison,
Bryan Adams High School, teaches
pre-calculus and calculus for 10th, 11th and
12th grades. Mr. Allison offers a rigorous curriculum
that encourages students to push themselves to a level they may not
realize they can reach.
Maya Brown, Samuell High School, teaches aquatic science to
12th graders. Ms. Brown draws real world correlations
between what they are learning and how it connects to their
world.
Dee Coyle, Lang Middle School, teaches touch system data
entry for 7th and 8th grades. Ms. Coyle
integrates math and science into her computer keyboarding
classes.
Felicia Cummings,
Zan Holmes Middle School, teaches
6th grade science. Ms. Cummings encourages students to
be curious and inquire about the world around them. She uses her
students' data to plan lessons that challenge their thinking and
problem-solving skills.
Joseph Ibarra, Irma Rangel
All Girls High School, teaches statistics, calculus and algebra II
for 9th through 12th grades. Mr. Ibarra hopes
that all his students will use math to invent something that will
transform humanity in a positive way forever. He is focused on
preparing his students for success in rigorous college
coursework.
Travis Smith, Trinidad Garza Early College, teaches
pre-calculus and calculus for grades 11 and 12. Mr. Smith believes
that even the most dejected "I HATE MATH" student can be successful
if the math is made accessible and if the teacher is
enthusiastic.
Brandi Stennis,
J.F. Kimball High School, teaches
biotechnical engineering to 10th and 11th
graders. Ms. Stennis works to tie what they are learning to
something in their lives.
Garland ISD
Creighton Bryan taught
engineering and robotics at South Garland High School. His
competition teams have qualified for the national level eight
consecutive years and have also placed in the top 10 nationally in
several categories.
Erik Bushland,
Sachse High School, teaches Career
Technology Education. His passion for helping students become
technology leaders inspires Mr. Bushland to consistently implement
innovative programs in his classroom to engage his students.
Gye Kraemer, Hudson Middle
School, teaches science and robotics. Mr. Kraemer started a
program to make obscure STEM concepts a hands-on reality. His
afterschool robotics club quickly blossomed, leading to the
creation of a highly sought after robotics class.
Lancaster ISD
Nicholas Keith,
George Washington Carver
6th grade STEM Learning Center, taught integrated STEM
classes. In the coming year, he will be a blended learning STEM
specialist for K-12, working with teachers and students. Mr.
Keith was named "teacher of the year" at the campus and district
levels for both elementary and secondary schools.
Mesquite ISD
Patricia Oliver, West
Mesquite High School, teaches chemistry and AVID (Advancement Via
Individual Determination) for 10th and 11th
grades. Ms. Oliver meets the varying needs of her students by
differentiating her lessons, infusing technology and relating
difficult concepts to everyday situations that students can
understand. She encourages students to be free thinkers.
Kristi Hernandez,
Agnew Middle School, teaches
8th grade science and Gifted & Talented. Ms.
Hernandez builds relationships with her students by incorporating
technology and hands-on activities into her daily lessons.
Plano ISD
David Carroll, Plano West
Senior High School, teaches AP physics for 11th grade. A
former Plano ISD student, he returned to the district in 1990 as a
teacher and seems to work magic in his classroom. He administers
two physics websites, authored instructional materials and
developed a Physics Olympics competition.
Nona Gill, Shepton High School, teaches geometry,
"Introduction to Engineering Design" and "Principles of
Engineering" to the 9th and 10th grades. When
you walk into Ms. Gill's classroom you might encounter students
racing robots or creating surgical arms. Ms. Gill is passionate
about encouraging students to pursue STEM related careers, making
an effort to reach students who are underrepresented in these
fields.
Eric McDaniels,
Frankford Middle School, teaches
6th grade math. Mr. McDaniels' students learn to be
fearless in their attempts to understand mathematical concepts. He
encourages constant reflection and celebrates not only among
students who get the right answer but also with students who
discover where they missed a step in problem solving.
Richardson ISD
Carrie Galvin,
L.V. Berkner High School, teaches
honors anatomy & physiology and biology. The 'ah-ha moment' is
Ms. Galvin's favorite moment in teaching – that's when she knows
her job has been done. Ms. Galvin was an early adopter of using
technology for student learning.
Mark Mester, Richardson High School, teaches automotive
technology to grades 9 through 12. Whether a student advances
to state in an automotive contest or lands a job in the automotive
industry, student success is what motivates Mr. Mester. He
implements the latest technology and incorporates problem solving
skills to teach his students how to use their skills in the
workforce.
The Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards are one of many
initiatives of the TI Foundation, which has led and supported
innovative education programs for decades. Education is the
Foundation's primary philanthropic focus, with grants specifically
enhancing STEM education and supporting effective teaching.
Innovation and technology changes have led to demand for STEM
competencies beyond traditional STEM occupations – skills necessary
for innovation are scattered across a wider swath of the
economy.
"These teachers are undoubtedly equipping students with the
skills they need to take advantage of these opportunities," Pomykal
said.
About the Texas Instruments Foundation
The Texas
Instruments Foundation, founded in 1964, is a non-profit
organization providing philanthropic support for educational and
charitable purposes primarily in the communities where Texas
Instruments operates. Committed to supporting educational
excellence, the foundation works to create measurable, replicable
programs and initiatives. The focus is on providing knowledge,
skills and programs to improve STEM education and increase the
percentage of high school graduates who are math and science
capable. More information can be found at
http://www.ti.com/education
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SOURCE Texas Instruments (TI)