Chicago, IL, June 27, 2001 — TECH CORPS, a national non-profit supporting K-12 schools with their technology efforts, presented their annual Leadership in the Classroom award at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) conference in Chicago.

Assisted in the selection process by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a national leader in supporting teachers and technology, TECH CORPS chose the winners based on their creative and innovative use of technology in the classroom, the breadth of the technology infused into teaching and learning, and their demonstrated capacity to mentor other teachers. The recipients of this year's TECH CORPS Leadership in the Classroom award are Robert Carter and Mary Whyte.

"TECH CORPS is pleased to recognize the efforts of individuals who have used technology to improve teaching and learning in their classrooms," said Karen Smith, executive director of TECH CORPS. "These award-winning educators have enhanced student performance by incorporating technology into many subject areas, and by expanding technology in K-12 schools within their communities."

Award Recipients

Robert Carter, High School Chemistry and Physics teacher, Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH has demonstrated that the successful application of technology in the classroom will greatly enhance the learning process. Using HTML, LOGAL, FileMaker Pro and several additional program media presentations that directly relate to his class teachings, Bob has created computer models that simulate complex atomic processes, and can be manipulated by students for hands-on learning. Bob has also developed self-correcting workbooks for his classes, which walk students through homework assignments, give feedback to the student, and allow them to learn from mistakes to achieve a correct understanding of the material. The submitted exercises are forwarded to a digital grade book, where the faculty grade the material, affix comments, and students access grading for individual assignments. Bob was key to developing this program, which is now utilized campus wide.

In addition to these innovations, Bob has presented at the National Science Teachers Association convention in Boston; taught teachers of another school district how to incorporate technology into their classrooms; and mentored younger faculty in his methods. His work spans several years and attests to his expertise and commitment to bringing technology into the classroom.

Mary Whyte, 4th Grade teacher, Portage, MI works tirelessly to improve the quality of education for her young students. Recognizing that bringing technology to schools isn't cheap, Mary is also an active and successful grant writer for her school and classroom.

Demonstrating how technology can be used in the study of the westward migration, Mary and her students created a website that highlighted portions of the Lewis and Clark expedition, incorporating training materials, resources and activities that enhance the web material. From these materials her students created their own PowerPoint projects from their own web-based research. Mary also created a keyboarding program for her students, funded by a grant she wrote, and has organized the Computer Club, enlisting community members to staff the facility.

In addition to her classroom efforts, Mary is active on her school's technology team; is a member of the Ameritech Technology Team; and has presented 3 times at MACUL conferences.

Industry Partners Honor Award Recipients

Since its inception, TECH CORPS has partnered with industry leaders to recognize and support superior technology efforts by classroom teachers. This year, Compaq joins TECH CORPS in recognizing these exceptional teachers by awarding each of them a Compaq Armada? portable laptop computer. These awards will enable these teachers to continue to expand their outstanding work in providing their students with the most technologically advanced education possible.

Tech Corps Logo TECH CORPS (www.techcorps.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to enhancing K-12 education through the effective use of technology in classrooms. TECH CORPS has built a national network of volunteers and resources that help educators maximize their use of technology in the classroom.

Brewster Academy is an international leader in independent secondary education and is widely recognized for its success in using advanced learning and information technologies to accelerate student growth in a vigorous college preparatory environment. Brewster provides its 367 students (Grades 9-12 and post-graduate) with a personalized curriculum based on individual mastery and best-teaching practices in a sophisticated technology-rich learning environment.

Brewster Academy is accredited as a secondary school by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.

The Academy is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in the resort community of Wolfeboro, N.H. Learn more about the Brewster difference by visiting us at www.brewsteracademy.org or giving us a call at 603.569.7494.