North Dakota Teacher and Technology Winners

QWEST FOUNDATION, GOVERNOR HOEVEN AND NORTH DAKOTA EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL ANNOUNCE 2010 TEACHERS AND TECHNOLOGY GRANT WINNERS



North Dakota Teachers Awarded $25,000 for Classroom Technology Programs



BISMARCK, N.D., Dec. 17, 2009 – The Qwest Foundation, Governor John Hoeven and the North Dakota Educational Technology Council today announced the 2010 Teachers and Technology grant recipients. This is the fourth group of teachers to win grants since the program started in 2006. Today 10 North Dakota Teachers were awarded $2,500 to implement a new technology or program in their classroom. The grant's purpose is to provide funding for technology-related educational programs or projects, and to recognize North Dakota K through grade 12 public school teachers who use technology in the classroom in new and innovative ways to improve student performance.



“Technology plays an integral role in providing a quality education for our young people,” said Governor John Hoeven. “Qwest’s Teachers and Technology grants will contribute to a strong learning environment for our students by advancing the use of technology in the classroom in new and innovative ways.”



“Technology is helping to transform education in North Dakota,” said Kent Blickensderfer, Qwest vice president. "These winning teachers show us how using technology creatively can engage students and improve how they learn.”

The grant winners represent schools and districts across North Dakota.



2010 Teachers and Technology grant recipients:

Natascha Bach, Bismarck High School, “Tempo Allegro!” project adding software and compact piano keyboards to music department.
Gina Phillips, Bismarck High School, “eBook Reader” project to help struggling readers through use of new Kindle ebooks.
Gretchen Masset, Bismarck Will Moore Elementary, “ActivBoard is Active Learning.” New technology will create interactive 5th grade classroom.
Kari-Jo O’Keefe, Emerado Elementary School, “Music Education Software” project. New software to apply new concepts to student compositions.
Denese Odegaard, Fargo South High School. “Differentiated Instruction in Music Classrooms.” New laptops and integrated software to improve music theory and performance.
Julie Heuchert, Grafton Middle School, “Teachers: Key to Helping Kids Read” project uses ipods and podcasting in the classroom to reinforce comprehension.
Katie DeLong, Grand Forks Central High School, “Engaging Students through SmartBoard Technology.” SmartBoard creates new interactive classroom environment.
Pam Carlson, Grand Forks Wilder Elementary, “Just in Time” learning environment project uses netbook computers to integrate technology resources into third grade daily curriculum.
Sarah Konschak, Hatton High School. “Taking Classroom Science to the Virtual Level.” Desktop computers create virtual science labs and web exploration.
Chad Anderson, Cheney Middle School, “Nanoscience Technology Module” project. A nanoscience unit will be created for 8th grade technology education class with scope, cameras and software.


“It’s vital for our future that we put the best teaching and learning technologies in the hands of teachers and students,” said Dan Pullen, North Dakota Educational Technology Council director. “The Qwest Foundation continues to champion education and technology in our state, and as a result, ten more teachers will be able to advance their students’ classroom achievements.”



The Teachers and Technology grant program aims to improve student achievement through the use of today’s technology; build a real-world team problem-solving environment; and set the groundwork for future technology integration projects.



The grants were awarded to teachers through a competitive grant process announced by the Qwest Foundation this past fall.



To find out more about Teachers and Technology grants for 2011 go to www.qwest.com then go to: About the Qwest Foundation:



The Qwest Foundation’s core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on K through grade 12 education and economic development.



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Contacts:

Qwest: ND Educational Technology Council:

Joanna Hjelmeland Dan Pullen

612-663-5992 701-231-6032

Joanna.Hjelmeland@Qwest.com dan.pullen@sendit.nodak.edu