SD DOE Press Release

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For Immediate Release: Dec. 18, 2008
Contact: Mary Stadick Smith - (605) 773-7228

Teachers receive $25,000 in technology grants from Qwest Foundation

The Qwest Foundation and the South Dakota Department of Education today announced the winners of the 2008 Teachers and Technology grant program. Ten teachers were selected as winners and will be awarded $2,500 each to implement new technologies in their classroom.

“The Qwest Foundation is excited to reward these outstanding teachers and help them to create innovative classroom learning environments,” said Max Phillips, Qwest South Dakota President. “The integration of technology in the classroom is vital for our children’s academic future.”

The application process for the Qwest Foundation Teachers and Technology grant program was announced at Governor Rounds’ Teacher Leadership Conference this fall. The program rewards South Dakota kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers who propose new ways to apply technology in their classrooms to improve student performance.

For the second year, the program was administered by the South Dakota Department of Education. “We’re pleased to partner with Qwest on this program,” said Secretary of Education Tom Oster. “It’s a good example of collaboration between the business and education communities, and, ultimately, it’s our students who benefit.”

The 2008 Qwest Foundation Teachers and Technology grant winners are:

Heather Hinners, John Harris Elementary, Sioux Falls. Grant to enhance classroom technology for students with severe disabilities.

Dean Marty (Michelle Nelson, Renae Andersen & Linda Maxwell), John Harris Elementary School, Sioux Falls. Grant to create interactive “Click” classroom to monitor real-time student progress and learning.

Dave Sisson, Corral Drive Elementary School, Rapid City. Grant to create GPS project to engage social studies students in real world geography.

Carmen Jensen, Wolsey-Wessington School District, Wolsey. Grant to create “Plasmanian Devils Project” to engage students in science and medical careers.

Sarah Duex, Rapid City Area Schools, Rapid City. Grant to create interactive, independent and involved learning for special needs students.

Cheryl Garmong, Mitchell Christian School, Mitchell. Grant to create Mars Student Imaging Project.

Brandi Gerry, Viborg School District, Viborg. Grant to create the project “iBooks – Fluency for Every Child” to improve student reading skills.

Carol Greco, Lead-Deadwood Elementary. Grant to create student created news podcast for school Web site. Barbara Hascall, Tea Area School District, Tea. Grant to create interactive math classroom with the “TI-Nspire Calculator Project.”

Shawn Cutler, Chamberlain School District, Chamberlain. Grant to create interactive classroom with SMART board to improve student participation in all subject areas.

The grants are being presented to the recipients in their schools over the next few weeks.

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