Meeker educators receive training

MEEKER I The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy announced that three third-, fourth- and fifth-grade teachers from the local Meeker area will be attending the Houston academy in June to enhance their math and science teaching skills.
PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, his wife, Amy, and ExxonMobil, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, bring elementary teachers from across the country together for a week-long, all-expense-paid professional development program designed to hone teaching skills, enhance curricula and discover new ways to inspire students in math and science.
The teachers chosen from the Meeker area include:
• Shana Holliday, Meeker Elementary School
• Greg Chintala, Barone Middle School
• Teresa Anderson, Barone Middle School.
“The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy enables us to provide today’s teachers with inventive tools to encourage students in math and science and open their eyes to the fun in these important subjects,” said Suzanne McCarron, president, ExxonMobil Foundation. “We are pleased to make this educational program available to teachers from Meeker so they can return to their classrooms armed with creative methods to develop the next generation of innovators.”
Today’s fastest growing careers, from medicine to energy, demand a solid foundation in math and science. However, the number of young people prepared to enter these professions is decreasing. According to a recent study by the National Science Foundation, eight of the 10 fastest growing career sectors now require skills in math and science. The academy is designed to equip teachers with tools to engage students and prepare today’s minds to be tomorrow’s leaders.
“Math and science are all around us, including in my golf game,” said Mickelson. “I believe in the importance of inspiring our nation’s children in these critical areas. Working with ExxonMobil, we designed the academy to be an exciting learning experience that will provide Meeker teachers with tools to support students in math and science and an opportunity to share best practices with colleagues.”
Since launching in 2005, more than 2,600 teachers have attended the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, impacting more than 40,000 students nationwide with the lessons and skills they learned. Each year, 400 elementary school teachers who teach grades three through five, are chosen from communities around the country where Mickelson plays in PGA tournaments or where ExxonMobil maintains significant operations. These teachers will attend the Houston or New Orleans academy, which offers advanced training in mathematics and science instruction. In addition to the local teachers selected to attend the 2011 academy, 200 teachers were selected from more than 1,500 third- through fifth-grade teachers who applied for a chance to attend the 2011 academy at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey through www.sendmyteacher.com.
The Houston academy will take place from Sunday, June 19, through Friday, June 24, in The Woodlands, Texas.
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is part of a long-term commitment to education by ExxonMobil. The company supports initiatives that encourage students to take an active interest in careers in the math and science fields, support the professional development of highly qualified teachers and promote involvement of women and minority students. In 2010, ExxonMobil partnered with the White House to encourage STEM education advances through Change the Equation, an initiative to mobilize corporate, government support to boost science, technology and math education.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels.
Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries.