Tulsa teachers head to Houston for training

Friday, 19 June 2009
Select third to fifth grade school teachers from the local Tulsa area will be participating in the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers' Academy, beginning Sun., June 21-26.

The academy, designed to enhance math and science teaching skills, is sponsored by Golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, in partnership with ExxonMobil and the National Science Teachers' Association and Math Solutions.

The goal of the program is to bring 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 innovative new ways to inspire students in math and science.

Teachers attending from the Tulsa area include, Annie Chang, Patrick Henry Elementary, Nancy Clagett, Bryant Elementary, Kerry Fox, Patrick Henry Elementary, Jeff Kendrick, Springdale Elementary, and Sarah Pearson, Grissom Elementary.

According to a Congressional task force study, “The United States will have a shortage of more than 500,000 engineers, scientists and other technically trained workers by the year 2010.”

There has been an overwhelming positive response to this initiative according to Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation. “We are pleased to make this educational opportunity available to teachers from Tulsa so they can encourage future careers in math and science.”

Each year, the Academy offers advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for 600 elementary school teachers who teach grades three through five, chosen from communities around the country where Mickelson plays in PGA tournaments or where ExxonMobil maintains significant operations.

The Academy is designed to equip teachers with tools to engage students in math and science studies and prepare today’s minds to be tomorrow’s leaders.

"As someone who uses math and science every day in my career, I recognize the importance of encouraging children's interests in math and science and equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom,” said Mickelson. “The Academy is an opportunity for Tulsa teachers to share best practices with colleagues and learn new tools to positively impact the science and math education students receive."

In addition to the local teachers selected to attend the 2009 Academy, students and parents nominated more than 1600 third through fifth-grade teachers for a chance to attend the 2010 Academy at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey through www.sendmyteacher.com, an interactive Web site where teachers can submit their application for consideration.

Earlier this spring, 200 teachers were selected from the pool of applicants to attend the 2009 Academy at the Liberty Science Center.

Parents and students can nominate a teacher for the 2010 Academy by visiting www.sendmyteacher.com. Applications must be completed online by Oct. 31, 2009.

The Houston Academy will take place from June 21-26, 2009 in The Woodlands, Texas.

Background on participating companies:

About Exxon Mobil Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States, engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and public policy 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 and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2007, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $207 million in contributions worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation
Phil and his wife, Amy, teamed up with the ExxonMobil Foundation to develop a new and innovative program to improve science and math education in elementary schools. The program will offer advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for elementary school teachers chosen from the communities around the country where Mickelson will be playing tournaments. Web site: www.PhilMickelson.com.

National Science Teachers Association
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

Math Solutions
Math Solutions, founded in 1984, has provided a wide range of professional development services and resource materials to more than 500 districts, in 47 states, helping more than 100,000 teachers and administrators across the country. Web site: www.mathsolutions.com.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 20 June 2009 )