Glass Selected to Attend 2012 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

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Shaina Glass, a fourth grade science teacher at Bethune Academy has been selected to attend the 2012 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. Glass is one of 200 highly-qualified third- through fifth-grade teachers from around the country selected to attend the intensive one-week, all-expense paid professional development program this summer. She was selected from more than 1,000 teachers nationwide to attend the Academy.

A panel of educators from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) selected Glass to attend the Academy. The panel based their decision on her qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and her overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession.

Not only was Glass selected to attend the Academy in New Jersey, she also learned that Phil Mickelson personally read her proposal and the three others submitted by Houston-area teachers. He chose Glass’ as being the best of the four, which would have earned her a personal meeting with the four-time Major winner while he was in town playing in the Shell Houston Open. Unfortunately, the first round was suspended on Thursday due to inclement weather and had to be completed on Friday. Therefore, the meet and greet had to be postponed.

Still, Glass was completely surprised by her school when it threw a celebration in her honor to announce her selection to attend the Academy.

“I am honored and extremely excited to have been selected to attend the Mickelson Academy in New Jersey,” Glass said. “Being chosen to attend with just a few teachers across the country was one thing but to have the honor of my submitted application chosen by Phil Mickelson was mind-blowing! Teaching science at Bethune Academy is fun every day and seeing my students light up with curiosity over what new and exciting ideas I share each day with them is special as well. Now, I get to deepen my understanding of science and bring it back to Aldine to share with my peers and students. I’m looking forward to exploring everything this academy brings.”

At the Academy, which is scheduled for July 22-27, teachers discover new ways to excite students using experiments that demonstrate various math and science concepts including force, gravity and probability. The Academy curriculum works to deepen teachers’ understanding of these principles by conducting hands-on experiments they can share with their students in the classroom.

Through www.sendmyteacher.com, teachers from all 50 states had the opportunity to apply for this development opportunity. Parents and students also nominated their teacher to apply for the opportunity by sending an e-card or printing a teacher appreciation certificate from the site. The application process for the 2013 Academy is now open on their website.

ExxonMobil partnered with professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy to develop, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, to found the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in 2005. The Academy is designed to engage students in math and science at an early age to retain their interest in these subjects through college and into their careers.

“Amy and I are proud to work with our partners, ExxonMobil, the NSTA and Math Solutions to create a hands-on curriculum for teachers looking to deepen their understanding of math and science,” Mickelson said. “We encourage all teachers to apply for this incredible opportunity so we can continue to inspire students in math and science.”

This year, more than 600 teachers will attend one of the three Academies scheduled in New Jersey, Louisiana and Texas. To date, more than 3,000 teachers have attended the Academy, impacting more than 175,000 students from across the country with the lessons and skills they learned.
To nominate local teachers for the 2013 Academy, please visit www.sendmyteacher.com.