Hometown: School{DWB_67}
<
>
![BP RECOGNIZES TEN ANCHORAGE TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE For the past 12 years, BP Alaska has supported outstanding teachers through the BP Teachers of Excellence program. This year, five elementary school, one middle school and four high school teachers were named as 2007 Teachers of Excellence in the Anchorage area. Pictured are: (Front row, left-right): Anita Vancil, Perry Lewis and Regina Dietrich; (back row, left-right); Gretchen Hopkins, Pamela Orme, Jerry Dowling, Lynn Bannon, Andy Bydlon and Suzan Mullane. Andy Bydlon, kindergarten, Ravenwood Elementary School, is very involved outside of his classroom having volunteered with numerous community organizations, youth groups and youth sports, including Pop Warner, Charter North Hospital, ARC of Anchorage, North Star Hospital and most recently the Palmer Residential Treatment Center. Bydlon says, “I do not find myself as just a teacher, but as somebody who has skills and gifts in working with youth. I find this [involvement] as a way to develop relationships with my students outside of the classroom walls.†Jerry Dowling, 5th and 6th grade teacher, Aquarian Charter School, has works hard to find ways to inspire his students to want to learn. He says he tries to provide his students with a well-rounded and challenging learning atmosphere. Dowling explains, “I try to reach each student by acknowledging his or her interests and strengths. I spend many hours finding new ways and refining previous lessons to motivate students.†Gretchen Hopkins, 2nd and 3rd grade combination teacher at Campbell Elementary School, inspires her students to learn and achieve by loving them unconditionally and believing in their ability to succeed. Hopkins explains, “I hold my students to high expectations that they will be in control of themselves and that they will always try their best. It doesn’t matter to me what ability level or background the child has. Each child is embraced for what she/he brings to the classroom.†Stephany LaPointe, 5th grade teacher at Rabbit Creek Elementary School, has been dedicated and committed to the district for 16 years. Her classroom is a place where collaboration and conflict resolution are encouraged. La Pointe says, “From day one, my children are involved in activities that promote a collaborative community. We engage in learning activities that are related to real-life and the students are encouraged to be risk takers. We respect that we all have something to contribute to the greater good of our classroom and it is up to us, as a community to promote collaboration and oneness.†Anita Vancil, 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Rogers Park Elementary School, is described as a bright and cheerful teacher. She has a 32-year teaching history that has inspired three decades of students, parents and school members. Vancil describes her classroom as very child- friendly. “You will see my children’s work displayed, notes that have been written to me are by my desk and materials are very organized. I know my students will remember me for the love that I have shown to them throughout their life.†Lynn Bannon, history teacher at East High School, is a teacher at the Elitnaurvik program. Elitnaurvik is the Yupik word that means ‘a place to learn,’ and the school-within-a-school is designed for Alaska Native and American Indian students with a strong emphasis on community and cultures. Gaining a broad understanding of her students is critical to engaging the student and their families. Bannon explains, “Adults respond best when they see that I am presenting an idea or assignment in a way that their child will be interested and capable of learning, getting a good grade, and that the student actually might learn something important and relevant from the lesson. I am here to provide the support a student might need – whatever is required.†Regina Dietrich, English teacher at South Anchorage High School, describes her love of teaching and her commitment to her community: “Working with young people is not only one of my major strengths, but also one of my major joys in life,†she said. She stays busy with her students in the classroom and out in the community. She volunteers as adviser for the student newspaper and literacy magazine; holds an annual poetry slam with local poets; was the Key Club advisor at Dimond High for six years and a previous Community Advisor for the HOBY Community Leadership Workshop. Perry Lewis, history teacher at Eagle River High School, is able to connect with his students to make learning fun. He also believes the answer is quite simple, when asked to explain how he inspires his students from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. “I let them know that I believe that the CAN learn and achieve,†he said. “I do believe that if a student perceives that they CAN know something, or CAN learn something, then they will take the steps necessary to do so. I try to show my students that success comes with a state of mind over having the right answer, or the right clothes or even the right parents. “ Suzan Mullane, language arts teacher at Wendler Middle School, engages her students through dynamic techniques and real-life curriculum. She is not only committed to her students, but her community as well. She recently co-authored two chapters of a best-practices book for school administrators. “The research field is always changing; best practices in teaching come from rigorous study and a commitment to life-long learning,†she explains. “Sharing critical research helps me to go beyond classroom walls; if I am able to enrich my profession through a national publication or research, in turn, I am able to teach children and youth I have never met.†Pamela Orme, social studies teacher at West High School, is described as an exceptional teacher who is a center of commitment, energy, creativity and superior capability. Orme believes one of the reasons she is so successful, is that she is careful to help her students see the relevance of her subject matter. She explains, “Students are encouraged to find our subject matter in the newspaper. This helps them realize the importance of my subjects and also helps to keep up with our changing world. I think this also helps them along the path of a lifelong learner.†“BP is proud to recognize these Alaska educators, who have invested their time and talents in their students,†said Phil Cochrane, Vice President of External Affairs, BP Exploration (Alaska), “It’s important to recognize, value and celebrate the educator’s role in making our Alaska communities better places to live, work and raise our families.†Each Teacher of Excellence winner receives a $500 gift card and an award certificate. One of the ten local teachers will be chosen as BP’s Anchorage Teacher of the Year. That teacher will receive a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture by Alaska artist Mary Regat. The BP Teacher of Excellence program recognizes teachers from throughout Alaska for their dedication to teaching and inspiring students. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMETOWN / ADN READER SUBMISSION](http://media.adn.com/smedia/2007/12/14/11/photo_public_upload_hometown.1180458918.aurora_standalone.prod_affiliate.7.jpeg){kind=small}
Photo 1 of 31
<
>
Location: Hunstville, Alabama,
Wasilla teacher Michelle Boyden recently returned from Space Camp--one of 250 teachers from 27 countries and 47 states selected to win an all-paid scholarship to Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy in Huntsville, AL, this June. Her week of camp included real-life astronaut training such as high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions and water survival training. Michelle teaches at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla and lives in Palmer. She attended camp June 15-21. Photos show Michelle as CAPCOM in a simulated Shuttle mission and on a multi-axis trainer, which simulates disorientation experienced by astronauts. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA SAUSE / ADN READER SUBMISSION
Wasilla teacher Michelle Boyden recently returned from Space Camp--one of 250 teachers from 27 countries and 47 states selected to win an all-paid scholarship to Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy in Huntsville, AL, this June. Her week of camp included real-life astronaut training such as high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions and water survival training. Michelle teaches at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla and lives in Palmer. She attended camp June 15-21. Photos show Michelle as CAPCOM in a simulated Shuttle mission and on a multi-axis trainer, which simulates disorientation experienced by astronauts. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA SAUSE / ADN READER SUBMISSION
