CenturyLink South Dakota

TEACHERS COMPETE FOR HIGH-TECH SUCCESS WITH QWEST FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAM

Teachers and Technology Grants Offer $25,000 for Classroom Tech Tools

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 2, 2008 – From smart boards to software and iPods to podcasts, for the past two years, teachers in South Dakota have opened new chapters in their students' classroom success. During that time, the CenturyLink Foundation awarded $50,000 to 20 South Dakota teachers through the CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grant program.

To continue these high-tech triumphs, the CenturyLink Foundation today announced that for the third consecutive year, South Dakota teachers can compete for a share of $25,000 in grants for their technology-related classroom projects. The CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grant program will award 10 grants of up to $2,500 each to South Dakota teachers who put today's technology to use for their students.

"Students are already using many types of technologies outside of school, and it's becoming more and more important to bring tech tools into their classrooms," said Max Phillips, CenturyLink president for South Dakota. "South Dakota's teachers realize this and have shown great initiative in creating exceptional programs to enhance their students’ technology experiences, and the CenturyLink Foundation is proud to support that."

The CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grants will be awarded to teachers through a competitive process administered by the South Dakota Department of Education. Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers with ideas to use technology in the classroom to engage students, enhance student performance and prepare them for life in a technologically advanced world are eligible to apply.

The grant application deadline is Nov. 7, 2008; educators may download applications at http://www.doe.sd.gov/grants/. The funds may be used to purchase supplies or to support professional development needs; funds may not be used to pay salaries or stipends.