New award program honors veteran technology-focused educators
CALGARY, Alberta --- May 4, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces it is now accepting nominations for the first annual Marilyn Baker Award program. The program was established by SMART to recognize veteran teachers who exhibit the same dedication and drive as Marilyn Baker. A self-driven educator, Baker has made it her life’s mission to help others understand the power of using SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards in the classroom. To be considered for the award, teachers must be nominated for and submit a 500 word essay showing how technology has changed their teaching practices. Five teachers will be awarded the Marilyn Baker Award in June at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) in Atlanta, Georgia. SMART will be accepting nominations until May 31, 2007, and will be judging nominees based on their demonstrated commitment to using technology, specifically SMART Board interactive whiteboards, to make a difference in the classroom. Nominees must have 15 years or more of teaching experience. Nomination details can be found online at www.education.smarttech.com/bakeraward.
Marilyn Baker has taught junior high language arts at Saline High School for the past 19 years of her teaching career, which spans 25 years. She was a very early participant in the Connections program offered by the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation of Canada, where she developed a passion and commitment to using technology to energize her teaching and her students’ participation. She has since become an advocate of the effectiveness of SMART Board interactive whiteboards in the classroom. When the interactive whiteboard was first introduced to Baker’s classroom, she was counting down the days to retirement. After using the new technology and seeing the value it added to her lessons, Baker put off retirement and decided to extend her passion for interactive technology in the classroom by visiting other schools. With her husband as her driver, Baker has spent the last eight years traveling across Louisiana and sharing her enthusiasm, thoughts and strategies with any teacher who would listen. Additionally, she has spoken at local, regional and national shows on the value of using SMART Board interactive whiteboards. Even after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2006, Baker has continued demonstrating the advantages of using SMART Board interactive whiteboards as a learning tool to other teachers. Now, at the age of 63, Baker has an even stronger passion for enhancing the learning environment of every 21st-century classroom across North America.
“Today, our students must be taught and prepared to function in an ever-changing technological world,” says Baker. “Since I love working with technology of all kinds, especially the SMART Board, using it in the classroom to teach helps me to share that love and at the same time helps prepare my students for a future using technology.”
“Marilyn Baker is an outstanding educator and a true visionary in education," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “SMART is proud to honor Marilyn through this award program and we look forward to acknowledging other veteran technology-focused educators who are transforming the classroom and benefiting students for years to come.”
About the Marilyn Baker Award
Established by SMART Technologies Inc. in 2007, the Marilyn Baker Award program was created to acknowledge the achievements of an educator-turned-advocate for the power of classroom technology, specifically SMART Board interactive whiteboards.
The Marilyn Baker Award recognizes the accomplishments and dedication of veteran teachers – those with 15 years or more of service. Teachers must be nominated for the award and winners will have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to using technology, particularly the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, to make a difference in teaching and learning. Five teachers will be honored annually, including one teacher in the inaugural year who will be selected by Marilyn Baker. Recipients will each receive a SMART awards package that includes a SMART Board interactive whiteboard. To learn more about the award program, visit http://www.education.smarttech.com/bakeraward.
About the SMARTer Kids Foundation
The SMARTer Kids Foundation provides opportunities for both students and teachers to learn new skills and grow in self-confidence by placing technology and programs at their service. Established in 1997, this private foundation helps provide collaborative learning opportunities for teachers and students and generates practical research on the impact and effectiveness of technology in the classroom. The Foundation is committed to working with educators to make a positive contribution to education.
