Idaho Teachers Launch Wright Fellowships at UI, Return to Schools for Classroom Research
Wednesday, July 11 2001
July 11, 2001^MOSCOW – Eight Idaho schoolteachers, winners of $8,500 Thomas C. Wright Fellows awards, are on the University of Idaho campus until Aug. 3 for the first stage of their four-semester fellowships. Last year’s Wright Fellows serve as their mentors.^Selected for excellence in their field, these K-12 teachers pursue individualized courses of study leading to either a master’s degree or an education specialist degree within four semesters. This summer session they develop a research plan; then they return to their schools to conduct action-based research. They complete coursework in fall and spring semesters via online communication and occasional group meetings.^The new program reflects a trend in higher education to provide working professionals accessible ways to achieve more education or certification. It also establishes grass root mentoring to pass on "best education practices" and address local needs.^“These classroom leaders will be sought out for ideas and direction regarding educational issues at a state and national level,” predicts Jerry McMurtry, program facilitator and College of Education faculty. ^“Classroom-based research is increasingly important as educators seek to document which teaching strategies work best to prepare our children,” says Dale Gentry, College of Education dean. “We no longer can afford to guess at best practices. Our Wright Fellows will help create practices for tomorrow’s teachers.”^Wright, who graduated as an educator from the UI in 1953, went on to launch the successful Wright Group, a publishing leader of elementary reading and teacher training programs. The Kennewick, Wash., resident won the UI Hall of Fame Award this spring. ^Next summer all eight teachers return to Moscow to complete additional course work, present their research results, and serve as mentors to the next incoming Wright Fellows. This year's Wright Fellows are:^Northern Idaho^Bonners Ferry ^Tama Bergstrand, an art teacher at Bonners Ferry Junior High since 1991, has won many awards for her teaching, including the 2000 Idaho Middle Level Art Educator from the National Art Education Association. She is president-elect of the Idaho Art Education Association, a National Board Certified Teacher, and a lifelong learner who has accumulated credits from 11 different colleges and universities in five states. She lived in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s.^Viola / Sarasota, FL^Lynda Albrecht teaches a fourth-fifth grade combination class at Moscow Charter School. In 1998 she appeared on local TV as the Teacher of the Month. She has obtained many grants for her school and district and plans to pursue her interest in individualized curriculum and assessment.^Grangeville ^Mark Willig teaches science at Grangeville High School, and is interested in cross-curriculum research and using essay projects in the classroom. He developed a portfolio system in his science classes that is now used in all science classes at Grangeville High. He coaches the tennis team, sponsors the chess club, and helped bring to town a replica of the Colombian mammoth from Tolo Lake.^Juliaetta / Lewiston^Sheila Hewett, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, has taught at Lapwai Elementary School since 1989. She informs her colleagues about new research on best practices for reading instruction. Trained as a Reading Recovery teacher, she says her “passion is the teaching of reading with a focus on phonemic awareness.” ^Lewiston ^Denise Hammrich teaches fourth grade at St. Stanislaus Tri-Parish School in Lewiston, with a special interest in literacy. Named Idaho Humanities Teacher of the Year in 1999, and Social Studies Teacher of the Year six times between 1993 and 1998, she actively supports the regional competitions for Idaho History Day. Three of her students won top awards at the state level this year^Southern Idaho^Bancroft^Sam Wadsworth teaches third grade in Bancroft, at the K-12 North Gem School District 149 school, with 186 students -- the only school in the district. He is a National Board Certified Teacher, technology mentor and grant writer for his district. He seeks ways to address needs of rural schools, particularly through the use of technology^Eagle / Leland, MI^Janet Greer teaches senior English at Eagle High and is a National Board Certification candidate. She has served on many committees devoted to improving education, including Learning for the 21st Century: High Performance Schools and the Quality Schools Consortium. ^Twin Falls / Weiser^Suzanne Wilkin, a special education teacher at O’Leary Junior High in Twin Falls, developed a model of support services for O’Leary Junior High School and Twin Falls School District. Her model was deemed a “Best Practice” site by the State Department of Special Education. ^Media Contact: Mary Ann Reese, UI College of Education Communications, ^(208) 885-2841, mreese@uidaho.edu; Jerry McMurtry, Wright Fellowship Program facilitator, (208) 885-7266, mcmurtry@uidaho.edu.^^-30-^mar 7/11/01 EDU^
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