Five veteran educators are recognized for their commitment to using technology
ATLANTA, Georgia --- June 25, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces the presentation of the first annual Marilyn Baker Awards for five veteran educators who are committed to using technology, such as SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, to make a difference in the classroom. The teachers will receive the honor during an awards ceremony at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 25, 2007. Candidates from across North America were nominated by other educators, and winners were selected by Marilyn Baker and SMART Technologies Inc. The recipients are as follows:
- Gale Ferrington, Delhi Charter School (Delhi, LA)
- Ann Joyce, Our Lady of Lourdes School (Washington, MO)
- Jessica Sabino, Howell Elementary School (Springhill, LA)
- Christine Hudock, Benjamin Middle School (Chicago, IL)
- Joan Badger, Van Walleghem School (Winnipeg, MB)
The Marilyn Baker Awards program was created to recognize teachers with 15 years or more of teaching experience who exhibit the same dedication and drive as Marilyn Baker, an educator-turned-advocate of education technology in the classroom. Even after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2006, Baker continued to demonstrate the advantages of using technology products such as SMART Board interactive whiteboards to other teachers. Now, at the age of 63, Baker has an even stronger passion for enhancing the learning environment of every classroom across North America.
“Today, teachers must prepare their students to be the productive, technologically savvy citizens of tomorrow,” says Marilyn Baker. “These five teachers are doing just that – by committing to the use of technology in the classroom, they are helping their students to become active, lifelong learners.”
"The Marilyn Baker Award program honors forward-thinking educators," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The recipients of the first annual Marilyn Baker Award instill a love of learning in students and give them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an ever-changing technological world.”
About the recipients
Gale Ferrington teaches fourth-grade math, science and social studies at Delhi Charter School in Delhi, Louisiana. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Ferrington is a true teaching veteran. Twelve years ago, Ferrington realized that students required something more than a chalkboard to keep them focused and engaged and to motivate them to learn. As she watched her students interact with an increasingly digital world, it became clear to her that technology in the classroom wasn’t a luxury – it was a necessity. Ferrington now uses a SMART Board interactive whiteboard as part of her everyday teaching. She appreciates how the interactive whiteboard meets the needs of all the students while engaging them in a truly interactive experience.
Ann Joyce teaches fourth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Washington, Missouri. A teacher for 16 years, Joyce is always looking to incorporate new ideas and ways of teaching into the curriculum. Joyce encountered her first SMART Board interactive whiteboard at a computer workshop she attended three years ago. Determined to have one for her classroom, Joyce found grants to help fund the purchase and has since facilitated the purchase of four more SMART Board interactive whiteboards for her school. Joyce uses her SMART Board interactive whiteboard in every subject area and loves watching her students become problem-solvers and critical thinkers.
Jessica Sabino teaches third grade at Howell Elementary School in Springhill, Louisiana. A 15-year teaching veteran, Sabino describes herself as a teacher who is respectful, understanding, approachable and supportive. Sabino believes that creating a student-centered learning environment that uses technology in meaningful, purposeful ways is essential for a quality education. Sabino uses technology and a variety of teaching methods to make concepts understandable to students and promote independent thinking.
Christine Hudock teaches sixth-grade language arts and socials studies at Benjamin Middle School in Chicago, Illinois. A teacher for 30 years, Hudock knows her students need technology skills to succeed in the 21st-century. To prepare her students for a tech-savvy world, Hudock places assignments on the school website, teaches keyboarding skills, incorporates a variety of multimedia content in her lessons, and has students present to the class using presentation software. Hudock’s greatest hope in using technology is that her students become excited and eager lifelong learners.
Joan Badger teaches math, social studies and computer applications to sixth- and seventh-grade students at Van Walleghem School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Badger has been teaching for 19 years and using a SMART Board interactive whiteboard for 4 years. Badger’s students blog, e-mail, instant message and videoconference with students around the world. Badger finds creative ways to engage her students, including having them use SMART Ideas™ concept-mapping software in an online literature circle. She also hosts SMART Board interactive whiteboard lesson pod casts where she and her co-host share ideas and SMART lessons with other educators. (They have recorded 75 podcasts and have over 50,000 unique listeners worldwide.) By shifting her classroom to a digital learning environment, Badger feels she has empowered her students and motivated them to become critical thinkers.
About the Marilyn Baker Awards
Established by SMART Technologies Inc. in 2007, the Marilyn Baker Awards recognize the accomplishments and dedication of veteran teachers – those with 15 years or more of service – who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to using technology such as the SMART Board interactive whiteboard to make a difference in teaching and learning. Teachers must be nominated for the award, and nominees must write a 500-word essay about how technology has changed their teaching practices. Five teachers are honored annually. Recipients will each receive a SMART awards package that includes a SMART Board interactive whiteboard. To learn more about the award program, visit education.smarttech.com/bakeraward.
About Marilyn Baker
Marilyn Baker is the inspiration behind the awards that bear her name. Marilyn is a teacher’s teacher. She is tough but fair. She makes her classroom a place where children can explore in a safe, supportive and fun environment. She sets high standards for her students and then works with them to achieve those standards. She believes that technology, specifically the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, allows her to teach to the learning modalities of students in her classroom.
Marilyn has experienced many aspects of education. Starting as a teacher’s aide, she realized that she had more to offer as a fully qualified teacher. Marilyn has also been a substitute teacher in Singapore and then a classroom teacher in kindergarten, second and sixth grade. She also has taught fifth- to eighth-grade language arts and obtained her National Board certification in early adolescence English language arts, in 2003.
Marilyn has an infectious spirit of adventure. Her natural curiosity leads her into areas where more timid individuals would not venture. Her strength of conviction has led her to assume a leadership role in speaking to educators within Louisiana and beyond about the power of using technology to engage and motivate students to be the best that they can be. Her humility prompts her to promote the accomplishments of other teachers above her own.
Marilyn is a great role model for veteran teachers and new teachers alike. Her positive approach to teaching and life are infectious and inspirational.
