Audelia Creek Elementary teacher Lyndsey Dickinson has been selected as the Fujitsu Teacher Trailblazer Award recipient. She was surprised by the selection committee during a classroom visit last week, along with a large mock check for her $5,000 prize.

This award, administered by the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, honors a special elementary teacher who is engaging students in the learning process, helping them acquire technological skills for the 21st Century, to think creatively, to apply acquired academic skills effectively, and most of all, to love learning.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Lyndsey,” said ACE Principal Mike Savage. “We’re pleased our friends at Fujitsu and the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation agree that she’s deserving of this recognition.”

Congratulations! >Top

Congratulations to Berkner High School STEM Academy teacher Jennifer Barbknecht for being selected as the inaugural recipient of the MetroPCS Engineering & Technology Teaching Award. As the sole recipient for this award, she will receive $5,000, along with a MetroPCS telephone and free service for one year.

This award honors a special instructor who is sparking their students' love of engineering and technology using engineering principles, where applicable, and integrated, sophisticated technology in the classroom. It is administered by the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation.

Barbknecht’s students cheered as Metro PCS and Foundation representatives surprised her with a classroom visit announcing her selection.

“Jennifer is an outstanding educator who is indicative of the quality team we have at Berkner and STEM,” said STEM Principal Elizabeth Swaner. “Through her creativity and incorporation of technology into the classroom, she is quite deserving.” >Top

Congratulations to Cliff McClelland of Richardson High School for being honored as one of eight Texas educators recognized as the "Best in Texas Education" by H-E-B. He is one of two teachers selected in the Central/North Texas area as a Leadership Award finalist.

McClelland, Magnet Theatre Department Chair at RHS, was surprised in his classroom on Monday by H-E-B representatives bearing balloons, cake, flowers, and a check for $1,000 for himself and $1,000 for RHS.

As a finalist, McClelland will now compete in a statewide competition in Houston on May 2 for a larger cash prize of $10,000 for himself and a $10,000 grant for RHS.

Way to go Cliff! >Top

Congratulations to Kristin Gonzales-Vega for winning the prestigious 2009-2010 Texas Instruments Foundation Innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Teaching Award.

Gonzales-Vega received the $10,000 award in a surprise ceremony in her classroom, to the cheers of her students. The presentation was attended by representatives from TI and the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, which presents the award. “We are so proud and thankful of the Foundation’s partnership with Texas Instruments Foundation and for their support of this exceptional award,” said Elizabeth Hart, President and CEO of the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation.

“Mrs. Gonzales-Vega is a very creative and innovative teacher who utilizes both traditional and non-traditional methods to motivate her students to strive for excellence. Her lessons challenge and engage the students, creating excitement and active learning,” said Richardson High School Principal Charles Pickitt.

The recognition is given to one teacher annually in RISD who is nominated by their school principal and teaches in one of the four STEM disciplines. The award includes $5,000 for personal use and $5,000 for use in the classroom for equipment, supplies or professional development.

For more information, please visit risdfoundation.org. >Top