Education news around Idaho

National Education Association sets up relief fund for Hurricane Harvey

The NEA Foundation is accepting contributions to support public school educators who are impacted by Hurricane Harvey personally, and at the schools where they work. According to the Texas State Teachers Association, more than a million students are likely to be displaced before it is all said and done.

To donate click here.

Twin Falls school receives $9,900 STEM grant

Rock Creek Elementary School received a $9,900 grant from the Monsanto Research Station and Wheat Technology Center in Filer. The grant will fund science, technology, engineering and math kits for second-grade classrooms. The kits will include engineering, magnet and LEGO materials.

“These kits will provide more hands-on activities for students,” said Paula Perry, a second-grade teacher at Rock Creek Elementary School. “This grant will help build classroom resources to engage students in their learning.”

This year, the Monsanto Fund awarded more than $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations through its site grant initiative to help address needs in rural communities.

Nampa teacher named career technical educator of the year

Debra Guinn

Debra Guinn, a Nampa School District culinary arts instructor, was named Teacher of the Year by the Career Technical Educators of Idaho (CTEI). The statewide award recognizes career and technical teachers at the middle and high school school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.

Guinn now qualifies to win the national CTE Teacher of the Year award in December.

 

“Over the past two years, Debra has developed strong partnerships with local and national companies who see the value of what she is doing for students and actively participating with in-kind and cash donations to support the program and students,” said Clay Long, an assistant director of the district’s career and technical Education program. 

Guinn is an advisor for FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) and SkillsUSA, and has been with the Nampa School District for five years.

Girl scouts receive $12,000 for STEM camps

The Idaho STEM Action Center and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) delivered a $12,789 check to the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage on Tuesday. The money will provide scholarships to help send Girls Scouts to STEM camps this year and next summer. The AAUW Boise chapter raised $5,789 at an auction in May and the STEM Action Center donated $7,000 to the effort. Idaho’s First Lady Lori Otter helped deliver the check in the Governor’s office.

“The work has to start with young kids, and we have to make the classes fun and make girls realize STEM is not just for boys,” Otter said. “Everybody should be educated in STEM —  that’s the world we live in right now.”

West Ada wins award for giving students a second chance

The West Ada School District was among five award recipients nationwide to receive a Transformation Award from Fuel Education this year. The district was highlighted for its Rebound School of Opportunity, an alternative school that serves high school dropouts or students who have been expelled.

“West Ada has a fresh look at student challenges and have identified inspiring, new ways to use online learning to create impactful programs,” said Sean Ryan, the general manager of FuelEd.

The Transformation Award recognizes schools, districts and organizations who use online and blending learning to solve educational challenges and prepare students for the future.

Other award-winners this year were Baltimore County Public Schools (Maryland), the Ector County Independent School District (Texas), Hermiston School District (Oregon) and Uplift Monterey (California).

 

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Andrew Reed

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