STEM Presentation Remarks
TI Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards
Presenter's Comments - May 20, 2008, School Board Meeting
Jim Hirsch, Plano ISD Associate Superintendent for Academic and Technology Services
Tonight Plano ISD is proud to host the presentation of the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards for the second year. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Our staff has been honored to work with the Texas Instruments Foundation and the Plano ISD Education Foundation to recognize outstanding PISD educators who teach secondary science, technology, and or mathematics.
I now invite to the podium to share some comments Mr. Ralph Stow, president of the Plano ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors, whose organization served as facilitator of this TI Foundation awards program in Plano ISD, and Dr. Jim Wussow, executive director of secondary curriculum, whose Plano ISD Curriculum and Instruction team took the lead on the selection process.
Ralph Stow, Plano ISD Education Foundation President
It is such an honor for the Plano ISD Education Foundation to once again be a part of tonight’s recognition of superior secondary science, technology, and mathematics teachers in Plano ISD schools. This is a most effective partnership of our Foundation with the Texas Instruments Foundation and the Plano Independent School District.
Over the last two years, our Foundation Board embraced the district’s efforts to improve the instruction of mathematics and science instruction in Plano ISD middle schools through senior high schools. All students successful completion of advanced science, technology and mathematics courses is critical to their future. It is also important to Plano’s corporate and business community, as we are so fortunate to have numerous high tech corporations based here.
As a result, the Plano ISD Education Foundation created a vehicle for community support called STEM Partners, and our Foundation pledged to raise $300,000 over three years for Plano ISD to assist in the transition of Algebra I instruction to middle school. To date, we’ve raised $200,000 towards that goal and are closing in on the last $100,000 pledged.
Also supporting the improvement of STEM education, last year, the Texas Instruments Foundation offered our Foundation and district the opportunity to recognize outstanding teachers of these secondary STEM courses, making a $60,000 three-year pledge in creation of the TI Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards. This is the second year of the execution of that award program, with six finalists and two recipients to be named this evening.
We are most appreciative of the Texas Instruments Foundation’s leadership in making these awards possible to Plano ISD teachers and in helping us raise funds in support of both programs as a Plano ISD STEM Partner. You will soon see that all of the teachers to be recognized tonight are exemplary in every way.
Dr. Jim Wussow, Plano ISD Executive Director
for Secondary Academic Services
This is indeed a special night for Plano ISD and our secondary math, science and technology programs. We are building on the excitement and momentum of the recent announcement of Plano ISD Teachers of the Year as we continue to recognize publicly more outstanding Plano ISD teachers.
The process for selecting this year’s two TI Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Award recipients started earlier this semester. Each secondary principal was invited to nominate one science, technology or mathematics teacher who exemplifies excellence in teaching of these subjects. Each secondary principal nominated an outstanding candidate, and both principal and nominee completed an application. A judging committee of district educators carefully reviewed all applications and selected six finalists. Each of our finalists received a classroom visit by a final selection committee.
The high caliber of teacher nominees was amazing and reaffirms that Plano ISD teachers are among the most talented professionals in the country. These honorees tonight are very hardworking teachers whose students are energized and successful in the classroom. These are teachers who demonstrate outstanding teaching skills each day in the classroom.
Each of the two selected 2008 winners to be announced in a few minutes will receive $10,000 in awards, including a $5,000 cash award and $5,000 for classroom technology and professional development opportunities. Torrence Robinson, director of public affairs for TI, is here to present all of our finalists and to announce the two winners. The Plano ISD Education Foundation is further recognizing these outstanding teachers by presenting a $500 monetary award to each of the four finalists. Tonight’s recognition of the six nominees also includes a special gift from Plano ISD.
Torrence Robinson, Texas Instruments Director of Public Affairs
I am so pleased to be here to announce the recipients of the TI Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards. The Texas Instruments Foundation is honored to recognize these very talented, dedicated, and outstanding secondary teachers.
These awards recognize their innovative teaching and open new avenues for these teachers to expand their experiences. We know that these teachers will inspire others to foster enthusiasm and generate excitement about science, technology and mathematics as they work with their students and among their colleagues.
(Mr. Robinson announced the four finalists, while Mr. Stow and Dr. Wussow presented a Plano ISD Education Foundation $500 check and a Plano ISD gift to the four finalists. Mr. Robinson then presented the two winners each with $10,000 checks and Dr. Wussow presented them with gifts.)
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