As part of the seventh annual Summit in Tech Valley, three teachers in the K-12 level in public and private/independent schools located in Tech Valley were presented the Tech Valley Innovative Educator Award.
The award recipients, as determined by a panel of judges, are: Jonathan Nix, first-grade teacher and Scott Adams, fifth-grade teacher at Vail Farm Elementary School, Arlington Central School District in LaGrangeville, NY (elementary); Michael Lai, teaching assistant/computer lab (Pre-K through eighth grade) at North Albany Academy, Albany School District in Albany, NY (middle); and, Tammie Borland, high school teacher at Questar III Rensselaer Education Center in Troy, NY (high school).
Read their profiles.
Principals, administrators, parents and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a worthy teacher and encourage them to submit an application for review by the Awards and Recognition Committee. Teachers are also invited to nominate themselves and complete the application.
The awards are designed to recognize classroom teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels who have made extraordinary contributions and brought innovative ideas and teaching methods to the fields of math, science or technology.
The teachers chosen were recognized at an assembly in each of their respective schools as well as in a video shown at the Summit in Tech Valley on May 14, 2007. Additionally, each teacher received a check in the amount of $1,500 to be used to purchase a piece of technology equipment for their classroom or school.
Excellence in teaching is the main criterion for selection of recipients. Among the criteria to be considered by the committee are:
- The ability to develop and implement innovative instructional activities
- The ability to motivate and challenge students
- Demonstration of proficiency in math, science or technology education
- Effective planning skills
To the candidate: It is the candidate’s responsibility to assemble an entry packet that must include:
- A one-page cover letter (on official letterhead) which includes a statement and signature by the candidate’s principal or supervisor that he or she is an employee of the institution. This statement also should list subject(s) and grade level(s) taught.
- A cover form that includes pertinent information (click here for cover form)
- A narrative describing the candidate’s extraordinary science/math/technology teaching as it relates to award criteria. This must be typed and limited to two (2) pages.
- Two (2) letters of support (each no longer than two pages). The letters may be from parents, students or colleagues and should provide examples of the candidate’s extraordinary teaching and innovation.
All materials and letters of support must be submitted in one envelope. Separate material will not be considered or returned. Entry packet should be sent to:
Tech Valley Innovative Educator Award
c/o Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
One Computer Drive South
Albany, NY 12205