Inspiration Software Awards 2006 Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning

 
 

Scholarships Recognise 30 Educators from Seven Countries with $750 USD Professional Development Grants

PORTLAND, Ore. — March 15, 2006

Inspiration Software® today announced the 30 educators from seven countries worldwide who will receive its 2006 Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning. For the eighth year, this scholarship programme supports professional development activities for educators in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities who champion the integration of visual learning and technology into the curriculum.

For the second year, the scholarship programme also recognises educators who are new to visual learning and demonstrate a desire and capacity to learn and apply visual learning techniques in their classrooms. Six educators received Inspired Teacher Scholarship Rookie Awards.

This year's successful applicants included technology coordinators; school library media specialists; college and university faculty members and elementary, primary and secondary school teachers from throughout the U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Award recipients use the $750 USD scholarships for a wide range of professional development activities, including attendance at a conference, training event or professional education course where visual learning is a key topic.

"The geographic diversity that we saw in this year's scholarship applications is a testament to the worldwide momentum for using visual learning software techniques to help students develop critical thinking skills," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "We know that the innovative educators receiving this year's scholarships will use what they learn at the professional development activities they attend to develop new teaching strategies and to inspire other teachers in their schools to use this proven instructional method."

Educators from primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities are eligible to apply for the Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning. A minimum of one year of service is required and applicants must demonstrate that they have direct contact with students. Inspiration Software has awarded scholarships to more than 150 educators over the past eight years.

The 2006 Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning recipients are:

  • Trudy Bantle, Fairport High School, Fairport, N.Y.
  • Marie Booz, Landstown Elementary School, Virginia Beach, Va.
  • Heather Borowski, Clairemont Elementary, Decatur, Ga.
  • Carolynn Bruton, Springfield Convent Junior School, Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Gail Dickinson, Rose Scott School, Madison, Miss.
  • Jane Finch, Worcestershire City Council, Bromsgrove, United Kingdom
  • Wendell Head, Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Center, Norway House, Manitoba, Canada
  • Peter Hedding, Alhambra High School, Phoenix, Ariz.
  • Ruth Hoenick, Atwater Elementary School, Shorewood, Wis.
  • Heike Hudson, Finneytown Local School District, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Kirsten Innes, Prairie View School, Hainesville, Ill.
  • Terri O. Inwood, New Beginnings Education Complex, Kissimmee, Fla.
  • Monica Isabel Mobrici, Asociación Escuela Lincoln, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Jane Nicholls, Pine Hill School, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Scott Piestrak, NorthPointe Elementary School, Southgate, Mich.
  • Jill Pope, Maryville High School, Maryville, Tenn.
  • Susan Prabulos, Meadow Lane Elementary, Lincoln, Neb.
  • Michelle Ranaldo and Sheree Incorvaia, Vocational Independence Program, Central Islip, N.Y.
  • Rhonda Robinson, North Illinois University, De Kalb, Ill.
  • Heather Stannard, Khowhemun Elementary School, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
  • Donna Taylor, Foothill Community College, Los Altos Hills, Calif.
  • Janene Weaver, Mill Creek Elementary, Middleton, Idaho
  • Priscilla Whitford, Chesterfield School, Chesterfield, N.H.
  • Winnifred Younkin, Bald Eagle Area Junior-Senior High School, Wingate, Pa.

The 2006 Inspired Teacher Scholarships Rookie Award recipients are:

  • Aldo Anzures Tapia, Cuicuilco Primary School, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Ana Elisa Galindo Ramírez, Cuicuilco Primary School, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Cheryl King, Sacramento Elementary School, Portland, Ore.
  • Debra Porter, Southwest Middle School, Lakeland, Fla.
  • Tonya Pember, Red Oak Elementary, Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • Jennifer Sharpe, West Middle and High School, Statesville, N.C.

The 2007 Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning program will be announced in July and applications will be available in September.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.

Recognised as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc. develops and publishes innovative software tools that inspire learners of all ages to brainstorm, organise, plan and create. With more than 15 million users worldwide, the company's award-winning software is revolutionising visual learning in education — inspiring students to develop strong thinking and organisational skills and improve their academic performance. Founded by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think.