Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Southern Idaho teachers win $30,000 in grants from the CenturyLink Foundation

CenturyLink, Inc. today announced the six southern Idaho winners of the CenturyLink Foundation’s Teachers and Technology grant program, administered by the Idaho Department of Education. The program awards teachers in CenturyLink’s local service areas who have innovatively implemented technology in their classroom to increase student achievement. These teachers are among 16 statewide winners of the grant, with an approximate total of $70,000 donated in Idaho this year.

CenturyLink’s vice president and general manager for Idaho, Jim Schmit, presented the awards to all six teachers in their individual classrooms on May 21.

“The selection committee, which included representatives from the Idaho Department of Education, reviewed more than 70 applications and was very impressed with the number of entries and overall excellence of the grant proposals,” Schmit said. “There are many teachers in Idaho who are doing innovative things with technology in their classrooms. This is a great opportunity for the CenturyLink Foundation to make a positive difference in students’ lives by identifying some of those teachers, recognizing them for their outstanding work, and supporting them in further expanding their use of technology. Over the years, we have found that students are genuinely excited to experience the learning opportunities provided by these teachers through their creative use of technology.”

The teachers will use the funds to purchase technology with which to engage students and supplement their curriculum: 

·    LeAnn Castor, a teacher at Vision Charter School in Caldwell, was awarded $5,000 to purchase iPad Minis and tripods that her students will use to create stop motion animated videos.
·    Shaun Cornwell, a teacher at Sacajawea Elementary School in Caldwell, was awarded approximately $5,000 to purchase netbooks for his students to use for “Quadblogging,” a modern twist on the pen pal in which students blog with classes from around the world.
·    Sandy Powell, a teacher at Emmett High School in Emmett, was awarded $5,000 for camera equipment for students to capture high-speed and time-lapsed videos of science experiments.
·    Brad Fackrell, a teacher at Purple Sage Elementary School in Caldwell, was awarded $5,000 for power and data upgrades to the school’s Extended Classroom Research and Presentation Center, as well as to purchase camera equipment and iPad Minis for students to use in a variety of classes.
·    Glen Croft, a teacher at ATLAS School in Middleton, was awarded $5,000 to purchase iPads and accessories for students to use in a variety of classroom activities, including developing financial plans and learning about business writing.
·    Melisa LaPrath, a teacher at Ridgeline High School in Nampa, was awarded approximately $5,000 to purchase MacBooks and iAuthor software so that students will have access to books with interactive features such as diagrams, galleries and 3D objects.

“These teachers know and understand the important role technology can play in the classroom to help individualize instruction and raise academic achievement for every student,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am grateful to the CenturyLink Foundation for its continued commitment to Idaho’s teachers and students every year as they work to bring these innovative ideas to life and create a 21st century classroom in every school.”

About the CenturyLink Foundation
CenturyLink’s vision is to improve lives, strengthen businesses and connect communities by delivering advanced technologies and solutions with honest and personal service. CenturyLink extends this vision through the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to contributing to endeavors that improve the well-being and overall quality of life for people throughout CenturyLink’s communities. Named after CenturyLink’s founder Clarke M. Williams, the Foundation is endowed by CenturyLink to support community initiatives that encourage our employees to use their time, talents and resources to strengthen the communities in which they live and work.

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