Dec. 26, 2001
Tucson, Ariz -
WHAT: Nine teachers selected as finalists for the 2001-2002 76/Circle K Outstanding High School Faculty Award sponsored by Arizona Athletics and KOLD Channel 13.
WHEN: Finalists are being recognized at the University of Arizona Men's Basketball games that are scheduled December through March.
The Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year will be announced at a reception for the nine finalists and their guests on March 1, 2002 held at the Marriott University Park Hotel. The Teacher of the Year will also be recognized at the men's basketball game on March 2, 2002.
WHERE: Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year recognized at the Marriott University Park Hotel, March 1, 2002, 6:00PM and the Men's Basketball game at McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2002 Noon.
BACKGROUND: Nine finalists were selected for the 76/Circle K Outstanding High School Faculty Award, sponsored by Arizona Athletics and KOLD Channel 13, representing the best of the best among Southern Arizona's high school teachers. One finalist will be named the 76/Circle K Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year on March 1, 2002 at a reception among their family and friends. Additionally, the recipient will be recognized at the men's basketball game between the University of Arizona Wildcats and the University of California-Berkley Golden Bears scheduled for Noon, March 2, 2002.
The 76/Circle K High School Faculty Awards Program recognizes teachers for their excellence in education on behalf of their students. The finalists for this year are (alphabetically):
1) Kevin Corner, Chemistry/Psychology teacher, Mountain View High School:
Mr. Corner is a passionate educator. Through dedication and hard work, he has been instrumental in creating one of the most popular classes of his school: psychology. His gift for gauging his community's needs and creating solutions has served his school community well outside the classroom. He serves as the varsity football and track coach at Mountain View High School, volunteers his time for Habitat for Humanity, and is a teacher for the Summer Youth Employment program. Kevin Corner is indeed a special educator, and his willingness to go that extra mile for his students and community makes him extraordinary.
2) Cathy Glessner Currier, English Teacher, Sahuaro High School:
Cathy Glessner Currier's pride in her profession is demonstrated every day in her classroom and in her school community. She has developed the only forensics/debate program in TUSD and her students consistently place in the top three in state and regional competition. Recently, Ms. Currier's Mock Trial club sponsored a disaster relief project, which collected almost $2,000 for the Red Cross's New York relief effort. For 31 years, Cathy Glessner Currier has positively influenced numerous lives with her devotion and her expectations for success.
3) Alice Drudge, Magnet Coordinator for the Career and Technical Department, Palo Verde High Magnet School:
As an educational innovator, Alice Drudge made the Applied and Informational Technology department at Palo Verde one of the top-notch programs in the city. Ms. Drudge has implemented many of the schools outstanding programs including the Freshman Block program and the Cisco computer lab. For 30 years, Alice Drudge has served as an inspiration to her students and her colleagues with her tireless efforts to enhance her teaching as well as her students' skills.
4) Debra Edwards, Special Education Teacher, Desert View High School:
Debra Edwards has always created a positive atmosphere in which students can take pride in their accomplishments as well as those of their classmates. She has taught special education students for 28 years. Ms. Edwards has implemented a cooperative classroom, which provides her students with the support and expertise of both special needs and mainstream teachers. Ms. Edwards has also dedicated 17 years to coaching the Desert View Special Olympics Team. Debra Edwards exemplifies the extraordinary dedication and energy needed in the education field.
5) Maria Frontain, Special Education Teacher, Flowing Wells High School:
Ms. Frontain has taught for 16 years but says that her actual training began while in sixth grade when she was asked to tutor a special needs student from a lower grade. Three years ago she organized the Tucson Life Skills Educators, a group of high school and middle school teachers from the Tucson area that teach developmentally disabled students. Throughout her teaching career, Maria Frontain has succeeded in creating a school community that celebrates diversity and values the unique contribution of each individual. She is a highly respected and admired teacher who has greatly impacted the lives of those around her.
6) Kevin Korte, Career and Technical Education teacher, Marana High School:
Kevin Korte says he always has been, and always will be a Marana Tiger. Mr. Korte began his 23-year teaching career at Marana High School after graduating from the University of Arizona. He currently serves as a trainer for Intel Teach to the Future program, which provides leadership in the integration of computers into content areas. Kevin Korte's continued efforts to bring about positive new changes in his department and school has made him one Marana's most innovative teachers. Mr. Korte is admired for the tremendous amount of time he dedicates to students outside the classroom, and his efforts are certainly valued by his colleagues, students, and community.
7) Barbara MacDonald, English Teacher, Sunnyside High School:
Barbara MacDonald is one of those teachers who constantly strives for the best for her students as well as herself. In her quest, Ms. MacDonald has created innovative programs such as KEYS, which provides strong academic support for at risk students, and IMPACTT (Integrating Multiple Perspectives Across the Curriculum for Today and Tomorrow). IMPACTT integrates all subjects and assesses student learning through authentic learning experiences and hands on projects. Barbara MacDonald has proven herself to be a teacher committed to helping her students through the implementation of creative programs.
8) Linda Pearman, Mathematics Teacher, Pueblo High Magnet School:
For Linda Pearman, teaching is not just a job, it's a calling. She fell in love with teaching when she started her career at Pueblo 21 years ago, and has never looked back. Currently, she is involved in a comprehensive articulation project for Pueblo's feeder middle and elementary schools, which includes aligning curriculum and improving the transition of students between schools. Ms. Pearman was also instrumental in starting the school's calculus program 15 years ago and this year started a program exclusively for students who have failed math. Linda Pearman's love for her profession and her students has made her an outstanding, and more importantly, a caring mathematics teacher.
9) Martha Neff Stum, Science Teacher, Catalina High Magnet School:
Martha Neff Stum has served students of Tucson Unified School District for 22 years. Her exemplary dedication and commitment to education were recognized in 1993 when she was selected as Teacher of the Year for the regional committee of Arizona Council of Engineering and Scientific Association. Ms. Stum's vision and enthusiasm have motivated her to initiate new ways of teaching science to her students and has resulted in innovative ideas such as Mole Day and even a chemistry holiday. Martha Neff Stum is an extremely dedicated educator who is eager to find new ways to make science interesting and academically challenging.
