CIU 20 Announces STAR Award Winners (4/11/2012)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contact:            
Julie Eates
Coordinator of Professional Development
jeates@ciu20.org   610-515-6549   

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 – Wind Gap, Pa. – For the fourth consecutive year, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 presented its STAR (Superior Technology Achievement Recognition) Awards to honor the outstanding integration of technology into classrooms and schools throughout Northampton, Monroe and Pike counties.  Nine outstanding district educators received STAR Awards for their work as teachers, administrators, technology integration coaches, and for their support of technology to enhance student learning. 

Almost 60 nominations were received from administrators, colleagues, teachers, technology integrators/coaches, and/or technology directors.  Worthy nominees, chosen by a panel of judges based on lesson plans, rubrics and student work, were then selected in each category and one was named the category winner. 

Best Use of Technology in the Elementary Classroom

WINNER:  Yvonne Rispoli - East Stroudsburg Area School District

Nominees:

·         Susan Geiger, Todd Urland, Jamie Schuler & Julie Kresge - Pleasant Valley School District

·         Kaitlin Lopez - East Stroudsburg Area School District

·         Lynn Sadler - Nazareth Area School District

 

·         Best Use of Technology in the English Classroom

WINNER:  Jeanie Fritz - Stroudsburg Area School District

Nominees:

·         Maryann Calpin - East Stroudsburg Area School District

·         Maryann Calpin and Diana Allison - East Stroudsburg Area School District

·         Jill Greenwood - East Stroudsburg Area School District

 

·         Best Use of Technology in the Math Classroom

WINNER:  Sarah Rusnock – Pleasant Valley School District

 

·         Best Use of Technology in the Science Classroom

WINNER:  Shannon Mackes – Pleasant Valley School District

Nominees:

·         Stacy Daly – Saucon Valley School District

 

·         Best Use of Technology in the Social Studies Classroom

WINNER:  Kimberly Kochanski - Pocono Mountain School District

Nominees:

·         Toni Bush – Bangor Area School District

·         Lisa Kelton – Bangor Area School District

 

·         Best Use of Technology in a Specialized Area

WINNER:  Rose Brophy - Pocono Mountain School District

Nominees:

·         Hillary Beal – East Stroudsburg Area School District

·         Maria Geffers – East Stroudsburg Area School District

 

·         Best Supporting Administrator

WINNER:  Irene Duggins – East Stroudsburg Area School District

Nominees:

·         Thomas Drago - Easton Area School District

·         Michael Hanssen - Saucon Valley School District

·         Rocco Seiler - Pleasant Valley School District

 

·         Best Technology Support

WINNER:  JR Renna - East Stroudsburg Area School District

Nominees:

·         Rachel Liesau - Delaware Valley School District

·         Manvel Page - East Stroudsburg Area School District

 

·         Technology Integration Coach of the Year

WINNER:  Shawn Wescott - East Stroudsburg Area School District

Nominees:

·         John Bendekovits - Northampton Area School District

·         Maureen Seidel - East Stroudsburg Area School District

·         Melissa Whitman - Nazareth Area School District

 

To illustrate the outstanding achievements of these educators, video vignettes of their work in their schools and classrooms were played during the awards dinner.

 The ceremony, held at Colonial Academy in Wind Gap, PA, featured a reception, with refreshments and dinner provided by Mr. Dario Chavez, teacher, and various students from the Colonial Academy Culinary Arts Program.  Decorations for the evening were made by Kristen Sauers, teacher, and various students from Colonial Academy art classes.  Dinner was followed by remarks from Dr. Charlene Brennan, Executive Director, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.  The presentation of awards was made by Heather Brown, Coordinator of Educational Technology, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.