Community

	November 2007
	In This Issue: Featured TI Foundation gives $1M gift to Dallas Achieves initiative Executive on loan helps enrich and empower schools Government Congressional Black Caucus hosts outreach events Community First ten teachers inducted into STEM Academy as fellows TI Foundation grant helps expand United Way's Destination: Graduation program Top scientist first to hold TI Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics Dallas Center for the Performing Arts reaches milestone Environment TI puts energy behind 2007 Solar Decathlon TI Technology TI to fund university medical technology research TI celebrates 40th anniversary of calculator with new line

TI Foundation inducts first ten teachers into STEM Academy as fellows

Emphasizing its commitment to building tomorrow’s workforce through education, the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation inducted the first 10 teachers into its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy as fellows. The TI Foundation established the STEM awards last year to recognize instructors at the secondary level who are enhancing student achievement and increasing interest in high school classrooms in the Dallas, Plano and Richardson independent school districts (ISD).

As STEM fellows, the teachers participated in a day of activities on October 4 at TI that were designed to introduce them to new technology that can be used in the classroom and allow them an opportunity to get feedback from recent college graduates as well as provide feedback to influencers. Recipients also each receive $10,000, of which $5,000 is directly awarded to the teacher. The other $5,000 is to be used at the teacher’s discretion for professional development or instructional technology. In return, the teachers are responsible for sharing what they’ve learned about increasing student engagement in math and science classrooms with other educators at their schools.

“I enjoyed the day. I learned a few things, got some technology that could help my students, and had a chance to talk to people who could make a difference,” said Glen Martin, a STEM fellow from Dallas ISD.

The TI Foundation committed $310,000 over three years to the program. The grants are awarded through the Richardson ISD Tomorrow Foundation, the Plano ISD Education Foundation and the Dallas Education Foundation. These organizations will begin reviewing teachers’ applications for next year’s awards later this fall.

“The disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math are the tools of the 21st century, ”said TI Foundation Chair Jack Swindle. These awards recognize innovative teaching and open new avenues for outstanding teachers to expand their experience, and we hope that they will inspire others to foster enthusiasm and generate curiosity about these subjects among their students. The future competitiveness of the next-generation workforce depends on the development of these skills.”

Principals nominated teachers for the STEM awards based on criteria, such as demonstrating and documenting teaching effectiveness, establishing classroom innovation, participating in education activities outside of the classroom, encouraging curiosity and generating excitement in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics among students.

(left to right) all of the STEM Award winners – Heather Hinds, Thomas Jefferson HS, Dallas ISD; Glen Martin, School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, Dallas ISD; Theresa Oriabure, Hillcrest HS, Dallas ISD; Mary Ellen Sablick, Rice Middle School, Plano ISD; Jennifer Bernabo, Plano East HS, Plano ISD; Angela Ciszewski, Richardson North Junior High; Richardson ISD; Natalie Matthew, W.H. Gaston Middle School, Dallas ISD; Katy Guzman, Thomas Jefferson HS, Dallas ISD; Kathleen Weaver, Hillcrest HS, Dallas ISD; Tamika Prentiss, David W. Carter HS, Dallas ISD – and Torrence Robinson, director of public affairs for Texas Instruments.

The ten award recipients are:

• Jennifer Bernabo, Plano East Senior High School, Plano ISD. Bernabo teaches chemistry and advanced placement (AP) chemistry for grades 11-12.
• Angela Ciszewski, Richardson North Junior High, Richardson ISD. Ciszewski teaches seventh grade Power Block and Pre-AP mathematics.
• Katy Guzman, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dallas ISD. Guzman teaches Pre-AP Algebra II, Pre-AP Pre Calculus and AP Calculus AB for grades 10-12.
• Heather Hinds, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dallas ISD. Hinds teaches multimedia and video technology for grades 10-12.
• Glen Martin, School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, Dallas ISD. Martin teaches Pre-AP Computer Science I, AP Computer Science I (A), and AP Computer Science II (AB) for grades 9-12.
• Natalie Mathew, W.H. Gaston Middle School, Dallas ISD. Mathew teaches seventh grade science.
• Theresa M. Oriabure, Hillcrest High School, Dallas ISD. Oriabure teaches Biology, Pre-AP Biology, AP Biology and AP Environmental Science for grades 9, 10 and 12.
• Tamika Prentiss, David W. Carter High School, Dallas ISD. Prentiss teaches tenth-grade geometry and a TAKS preparation course.
• Mary Ellen Sablick, Rice Middle School, Plano ISD. Sablick teaches eighth-grade math.
• Kathleen Weaver, Hillcrest High School, Dallas ISD. Weaver teaches AP Computer Science II, AP Computer Science I, Computer Science I and Pre-AP Computer Science Webmastering.