SMARTer Kids Foundation launches US$3.2 million Teaching Excellence Awards program

Outstanding teachers rewarded with innovative classroom technology

Calgary, AB --- December 7, 2000 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation announces the Teaching Excellence Awards, a program that rewards outstanding teachers with innovative classroom technology. Working with established teacher-recognition programs, the Teaching Excellence Awards recognize instructors who have had a positive effect on their students, schools and communities. Over the next five years, the SMARTer Kids Foundation will donate US$3.2 million in SMART Roomware products through the Teaching Excellence Awards.

This year the Teaching Excellence Awards will recognize teachers who have been selected by U.S. State Teacher of the Year programs. Each of the sponsored state programs will receive its choice of a SMART Board 540, 560 or 580 and a Floor Stand. Sponsored programs will also have the option of accepting a projector from NEC Technologies, Visual Systems Division and an AlphaSmart keyboard from AlphaSmart, Inc. To be eligible for sponsorship for the 2000–2001 academic year, U.S. State Teacher of the Year programs must submit an application to the SMARTer Kids Foundation by February 1, 2001.

"Teachers have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to foster the academic and emotional development of children," says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. "With this program, we want to recognize teachers who’ve made a significant difference by providing them with classroom tools to further enhance their teaching abilities."

Program Eligibility
While focusing on the U.S. for the 2000–2001 school year, the aim of the Teaching Excellence Awards is to recognize teachers around the world. Working with existing teacher-recognition programs at state/provincial, national and international levels, the Teaching Excellence Awards will donate up to 1,000 SMART Boards and Floor Stands over the next five years.

Individual districts, regions, states and countries that have formal teacher-recognition programs are encouraged to apply for a donation by visiting www.smarterkids.org/excellence.

Origins of the Teaching Excellence Awards
Organizers of the Missouri Teacher of the Year program first requested a SMART Board for their award program in 1998, after they witnessed how it increased class interaction and brought excitement to learning. Since then the Missouri State Teacher of the Year program has benefited annually from the donation of a SMART Board and Floor Stand. Building on the success of this donation, the SMARTer Kids Foundation created the Teaching Excellence Awards to recognize teachers internationally.

Teaching Excellence Awards Supporting Partners
The Teaching Excellence Awards are made possible through the generosity of supporting partners. SMART Technologies Inc. has committed US$3.2 million to the program over the next five years. NEC Technologies, Visual Systems Division and AlphaSmart, Inc. are providing US$250,000 and US$10,000 respectively in product donations for the 2000–2001 school year.

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© 2000 SMARTer Kids Foundation. Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.