SMARTer Kids Foundation congratulates Michele Forman, National Teacher of the Year

Teaching Excellence Award Recipient honored at White House

Calgary, AB --- April 23, 2001 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation congratulates Michele Forman, National Teacher of the Year 2001. President George W. Bush will present Ms Forman with this award at a ceremony at the White House today. The National Teacher of the Year is selected from the 56 State Teacher of the Year Winners by a committee of representatives from 15 leading national education organizations. Co-sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and Scholastic Inc., the National Teacher of the Year program is in its 51st year of recognizing excellence in teaching.

State Teachers of the Year are selected on the basis of nominations by students, teachers, principals and school district administrators throughout their states. Once selected each State Winner becomes eligible for the National title. As part of their recognition, all national nominees are presented with a Teaching Excellence Award from the SMARTer Kids Foundation. This award recognizes teachers who have had a positive effect on their students, schools and communities and provides them with a classroom technology package.

"The State and National Programs recognize and encourage teachers by providing models of excellence," says Michele Forman, National Teacher of the Year and Vermont State Teacher of the Year. "These programs make the public aware of excellence in education and the important role that teachers play."

"The SMARTer Kids Foundation is proud to be a part of programs that recognize excellence in teaching," says Nancy Knowlton, Executive Director, SMARTer Kids Foundation. "The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes these 56 outstanding professionals for their dedication, hard work and commitment to not only providing quality education but for also enhancing the lives of children everyday."

Other National Teacher of the Year Finalists
Tonya Perry, Alabama
Derek Minakami, Hawaii
Christa Compton, South Carolina

Product Donations to National Nominees
Each of the recognized teachers will receive a SMART Board and a Floor Stand from SMART Technologies Inc., a projector from NEC Technologies Inc., Visual Systems Division and an AlphaSmart keyboard from AlphaSmart, Inc. The entire package is valued at US$8,000.

Teaching Excellence Award Partners
The Teaching Excellence Award is made possible through the generosity of its partners. SMART Technologies Inc. is the founding and funding partner of the SMARTer Kids Foundation and has committed US$3.2 million to the program over the next five years. Other funding partners include NEC Technologies Inc., Visual Systems Division and AlphaSmart, Inc.

2001 State Teachers of the Year

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