Community Relations
For Immediate Release
December 2, 2011
Contact:
Cass Cannon
Community Relations Specialist
Charlottesville City Schools
434-245-2962
Cass Cannon@ccs.k12.va.us
Media Release
Charlottesville and Rockingham County Teachers Selected as 2011 Virginia Thinkfinity Award Winners
Mary Johnston, a first-grade teacher at Clark Elementary in Charlottesville, and Jennie Carr, a fourth-grade teacher at Elkton Elementary in Rockingham County, will share the title of 2011 Virginia “Thinkfinity” Teacher of the Year.
The award — supported through a grant from the Verizon Foundation — recognizes Virginia teachers who successfully integrate Thinkfinity resources into the classroom. Thinkfinity is Verizon Foundation’s free web portal providing access to online instructional resources, including lesson plans aligned with state standards, reference materials and interactive tools for students.
“Great teachers are always on the lookout for new sources of lesson plans, reference materials and activities that engage students and support increased learning,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said while announcing the winners today at the annual Educational Technology Leadership Conference in Roanoke. “Both Johnston and Carr exemplify excellence, and our judges were hard pressed to select one over the other.”
Technology resource teachers, school librarians and principals nominated teachers for the awards program. Submitted nominations included lesson plans utilizing Thinkfinity resources and a video demonstrating their use in the classroom.
Johnston and Carr each receive $1,000 stipends to conduct workshops on using Thinkfinity at educational conferences, $1,000 unrestricted cash prizes, and iPads — all provided through a grant from the Verizon Foundation.
Mary Johnston with her Thinkfinity Teacher of the Year certificate.
* * *