Bellevue teachers honored for excellence
Math, science teachers finalist in national awards competition
By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer
Lois Standley (above) and Krista Jones (below). Photo by David N. Seelig
|
|
Teaching excellence abounds at Bellevue Elementary School.
Recently, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching named two Bellevue Elementary School teachers as finalists in the national competition.
Teachers Lois Standley and Krista Jones represent Idaho as state level finalists in the competition sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
?It?s extra ordinary that two teachers from this school district were selected,? said Cathy Zaccardi, clerk of the Blaine County School Board.
Standley teaches first-grade at the elementary. She is being recognized for her contributions to mathematics. Jones teaches technology. She is honored for science excellence.
?They are both outstanding teachers,? said Gary St. George, Bellevue Elementary principal.
The school district board recognized the two teachers at a recent meeting. Standley asked the board and others in attendance to ?keep their fingers crossed.?
The National Science Foundation will select one science and one math teacher from the state finalists. They will announce the winners in April 2005.
The White House began the program in 1983 to identify outstanding mathematics and science teachers. The award recognizes teachers as role models and leaders in education. The competition alternates each year by honoring elementary teachers or teachers of seventh- through 12th-grades.
The winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C. The trip includes an award ceremony and meetings with government leaders.
