Andrea Peterson credits community for her teaching success
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- April 30, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that Andrea Peterson has been named the National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and was recognized as such by President George W. Bush during a ceremony at the White House on April 26, 2007. As the Washington State Teacher of the Year, Peterson was awarded a technology package from SMART, including a SMART Board™ 600i interactive system, a two-year, five-user license for Bridgit™ conferencing software, a computer-lab license for SynchronEyes™ classroom management software, an unlimited school site license for SMART Ideas™ concept-mapping software and an AirLiner™ wireless slate. Peterson has been teaching music at Monte Cristo Elementary School in Granite Falls, Washington, for ten years and has seen major changes in the school and the music program during that time. She will share her success as she spends the next year traveling across the U.S. speaking at events. Her message to other educators is to involve the community in the school and to set high expectations for students – a no-limits standard.
Peterson decided early in her teaching career to make community involvement in education a major focus for her efforts within her school, and it appears to be working. Over the past ten years, the community has made donations to the school in the form of time, money and instruments. Everyone from the local pastor to the parents to the business community has become involved. Peterson admits that her music room now would be the envy of teachers across the country. Her classroom is equipped with a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, computer and electronic keyboard for composing music and MIDI software for composition. Students also have access to the Internet. Peterson feels that technology plays a very important role in the room setup, and she would be doing her students a disservice by not incorporating technology into everyday lessons. She notes that students use technology in every aspect of their lives – so classes need to emulate this reality in order to keep students engaged.
“Incorporating technology into lessons motivates students to come to school,” says Peterson. “Music education is something that can inspire students to achieve, but we have to give them the resources to make it possible.”
“SMART actively supports the U.S. State Teacher of the Year programs and the National Teacher of the Year program because we value the contributions that teachers make to their students and their communities each day,” says Nancy Knowlton, CEO of SMART Technologies Inc. “Andrea Peterson’s initiative to involve the community in her school and her exemplary use of technology in the classroom demonstrate her commitment to education and to helping her students succeed in life.”
About the Council of Chief State School Officers
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy and technical assistance on major educational issues. The council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
