Teachers Across the State Win Shares of $100,000 in CenturyLink Grant Money for the Innovative Use of Technology in Education

CenturyLink will provide a total of $100,000 to twelve winning teachers across the state of Idaho this year as part of the company's “Innovative Uses of Technology in Education” Grant Program, now in its eighth year. CenturyLink, which merged with Qwest in April of last year, has awarded more than $590,000 in grant money to Idaho teachers during that time. The program began after a statewide evaluation of technology in public schools in 2003 found many teachers needed support in integrating technology into the curriculum.

Here are the winners from around the state. Read more about the winners from the Treasure Valley in the post below.

• The Lewiston winner is Pamela Johnson who was awarded $10,000 to purchase 4 Interactive White Boards and 4 projectors so that Jenifer Junior High School students will have the opportunity for an interactive geography experience.

Pamela Johnson Receives Her Award.

• The Post Falls winner is Jen Cleave, who received $3,062 to purchase two Walk and Talk Smart boards that will engage and transform Ponderosa Elementary School 5th Grade students in math and technology using an innovative and inquiry-based approach.





Jen Cleave's Class Anticipates Their New Smartboards.


• The Malad winner is Kerry Evans who was awarded $9,980 to purchase 20 iPads for her fourth grade class. Miss Evans believes the use of technology will motivate the students to write more and this engagement will strengthen their reading and writing skills. The other two 4th grade classrooms at Malad Elementary will act as control groups. Reading and writing data will be taken on all three classrooms prior to implementation of the iPads and at the end of the year. Comparisons will then be made to see if use of the iPads had a significant effect on student achievement in reading and writing.The Malad winner is Kerry Evans who was awarded $9,980 to purchase 20 iPads for her fourth grade class. Miss Evans believes the use of technology will motivate the students to write more and this engagement will strengthen their reading and writing skills. The other two 4th grade classrooms at Malad Elementary will act as control groups. Reading and writing data will be taken on all three classrooms prior to implementation of the iPads and at the end of the year. Comparisons will then be made to see if use of the iPads had a significant effect on student achievement in reading and writing.





Kerry Evans Receives Grant Money to Buy iPads for Her Class.


• The Troy winner is Mark Murdock, who was awarded $7,352 to purchase 4 Mac Minis, a projector and software so that Troy School District students can create, compose, perform and evaluate music in mini studios.

• The Deary winner is Jan Jacobs, who received $9,594 to purchase Lego Education Robotic sets to assist Whitepine School District’s Elementary and High School students in preparing for entry into a 21st Century workforce with a greater emphasis on technology literacy and critical thinking skills.





Jan Jacobs Receives almost $10,000 for Lego Education Robotic Sets.


• The Potlatch winner is Laura Wommack, who was awarded $9,254 to purchase a laptop and the necessary equipment and supplies to build, launch and recover rockets and scientific balloons with payloads.

• The Blackfoot winner is Randall Brady who was awarded $8,466 to purchase a projector, an iPad, 2 Macbook Pros, 4 Roland Rhythm Coaches and a 3 year subscription to SmartMusic. These items will enable the Snake River High School Band director to design and the students to view the marching show before they go out on the field to perform it. Music assessments will be recorded so that students can receive visual feedback and will be able to easily view concerts and other online music resources.

• The Rigby winner is Stefani Cook, who received $9,997 to purchase Ipads, Kindles, a camcorder and various software so that Rigby High School students can experience a blended learning environment while completing English, History and Physical Education courses.

“These teachers know and understand the important role technology can play in the classroom to help individualize instruction and raise academic achievement for every student,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am grateful to CenturyLink for its continued commitment to Idaho’s teachers and students every year as they work to bring these innovative ideas to life and create the 21st Century Classroom in every school.”

“In reviewing more than one hundred applications, we have been very impressed with the level of interest and overall excellence of the grant proposals,” Schmit said. “There are many teachers in Idaho who are doing innovative things with technology in their classrooms. This is a great opportunity for CenturyLink to make a positive difference in students’ lives by identifying some of those teachers, recognizing them for their outstanding work, and supporting them with financial assistance to expand their use of technology even further. From our past experience with these grants, students are genuinely excited to experience the learning opportunities provided by these teachers through their creative use of technology.”