CenturyLink Utah

Teachers and Technology Grants awarded

CenturyLink Foundation and Superintendent of Public Instruction announce regional winners

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 28, 2008 – The CenturyLink Foundation and the Utah State Office of Education today announced the winners of the 2008 CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grant program. Out of 92 proposals, 22 winners from across the state have been selected to share in the $50,000 grant.

The CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grant program was designed to recognize and reward public school teachers who use innovative technology in the classroom to improve the education experience for students. CenturyLink provided a $900,000 donation that helps fund innovative technology grants so that individual teachers in 14 western states can greatly improve education in the classroom.

“Our world is becoming increasing dependent on technology and these teachers are doing a wonderful job helping students in Utah get ready for that challenge,” said Jerry Fenn, CenturyLink president for Utah. “My hat is off to these educators who think outside the box and help make technology relevant and exciting.”

“Teacher use of technology in the classroom is essential not only for keeping Utah’s students up to date, but it’s also essential in reaching our new technology-savvy students,” said Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington. “We thank our partners at CenturyLink for helping us recognize teachers who make good use of classroom technology.”

Grant proposals came from virtually every corner of the state -- with requests ranging from additional computers for classrooms to funding innovative ways to make curriculum more exciting and understandable for students. Teachers in eight different counties – Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Summit, Tooele, and Washington – submitted winning projects. The grants ranged from $582 to $2,500.

Winners are:

Salt Lake County

Salt Lake City School District
• Lynette Peck of Ensign Elementary School, Salt Lake City, received a grant of $1,950 for her project, “From SEP (Student Education Plan) to SCC (Student Created Celebrations).”
• Mark Perry, Salt Lake City, received $2,366 for his project, “Creating a Communications rich Classroom for Students with Severe Disabilities by Utilizing Output Communication Aides.”

Granite School District
• Jeff Statler of Kearns High School, Kearns, received $2,459 for his project, “Using Electronic Probes to Measure Environmental and Natural Chemical Quantities.”

Jordan School District
• Julie Openshaw of Elk Meadows Elementary School, South Jordan, received $2,500 for her project, “Introducing Technology to Fifth Graders.”

Box Elder County

• Brandon Spencer of Box Elder High School, Brigham City, received $2,249.97 for his project, “Seeing What Can’t Be Seen.”
• Carma Salvesen of Fielding Elementary School, Fielding, received a $2,490 grant for her project,” “Technology-aided Success in Early Learning.”
• Lorie Lloyd-Rasmussen of North Park Elementary School, Tremonton, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Zero Pull-Out Math to Include At-Risk, Special Education and ELL Students.”

Cache County

• Stephanie M. Kawamura of InTech Collegiate High School, North Logan, received a $2,265 grant for her project, “Computer Probes for Better Comprehension in Science.”

Davis County

• Amber F. Sonzini of Snow Horse Elementary School, Kaysville, received a $582 grant for her project, “Making Authors and Presenters Out of Our Students.”
• G. Veloy Richards of Lincoln Elementary School, Layton, received a $2,500 grant for the project, “Technology Implementation and Integration in a First Grade Classroom: Improving Teacher and Student Involvement.”
• VaLynne Bowers of Bountiful Junior High School, Bountiful, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Multi-Media Mathematics.”
• Wendy Thorson of E.G. King Elementary School, Layton, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Technology in a Special Education Classroom.”
• Amber Williams and Sherrie Davis of Davis High School, Kaysville, share a $2,495 grant for their project, “Formative Assessments Methods: Classroom Performance Systems and ExamView.”

Summit County

• Meghan Zarnetske and Leslie Stark of Treasure Mountain International School, Park City, share a $2,500 grant for “Teton School Outdoor Field Trip.”

Tooele County

• Carol A. Robertson of Rose Springs Elementary School, Stansbury, received a $2,498.94 grant for her project, “Kids Teaching Kids.”

Utah County

Alpine School District
• Elizabeth Robertson of Willowcreek Middle School, Lehi, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Integrating CPS (Classroom Performance Systems) with UTIPS (Utah Test Item Pool Service).”

Nebo School District
• Katie Sorensen of C.S. Lewis Academy, Payson, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Sixth Grade/Special Education Marketing Project.”

Washington County

• Angela Fishel of Santa Clara Elementary School, Santa Clara, received a $2,443.65 grant for her project, “From Wagon Wheels to the Digital Highway: The Cougar Cast Network.”
• Elizabeth Quann of Washington Elementary School, Washington, received a $2,500 grant for her project, “Interactive Digital Education.”
• Jennifer LeBaron of Coral Canyon Elementary School, Washington, received a $2,468 grant for her project, “Light, Camera, Action … CUT! We Need Money First.”
• Katie Salter of Arrowhead Elementary School, Santa Clara, received $2,234.35 for her project, “Arrowhead Point.”
• Murry D. Hensen of Enterprise High School, Enterprise, received a $2,500 grant for his project, “Career, College and Distance Education Mini-Labs.”

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