Press Room
 One of ACCESS Distance Learning’s own selected
MOBILE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR Herbert Wagner didn't start out as an educator and now he is in the running for the state’s top honor. |
ACCESS TEACHER INCLUDED IN TOP 5 FOR LIVE! with REGIS AND KELLY'S TOP TEACHER!
I would like to nominate my niece, Rhonda Ballentine, for your teacher award. Rhonda taught high school for 28 years and currently teaches math at Boaz High School in Boaz, Alabama. Rhonda spent three years studying chemical engineering but never really wanted to be an engineer; she always wanted to be a teacher. As a result, she changed her major to math and chemistry in her senior year of college and never looked back. In her early career, Rhonda taught at a very small, rural school in north Alabama. The school did not have a Spanish teacher and couldn't afford one full-time as they only had nine kids who wanted to take Spanish. Rhonda readily agreed to go back to school and get a Spanish endorsement on her teaching certificate. At Douglas Rhonda taught chemistry, physics, Spanish and a variety of math classes. Many of her students were in her classes multiple times and loved it. There was even a group of kids which she taught every year (and for some many times in one year) from grades seven through twelve. Rhonda was also the school's math team sponsor. When the school could not afford to pay a bus driver, again Rhonda stepped in, attend bus driving school, and got her bus license.
Kids gravitate toward Rhonda because they know she cares about their lives at home and at school, in the present and in the future. When a kid needs financial help, she is there. When a kid needs a shoulder to cry on, she is there. When a kid needs direction, she is there. One seventh grade girl called her almost every night because her parents were verbally abusive. Rhonda comforted her and help her gain enough self-confidence to apply for a math scholarship, move out of her house and pursue a college degree. Currently, this same woman is a math teacher and credits Rhonda with her success. Rhonda also encouraged another student from a bad home environment to pursue a degree in Spanish. This same man works for the state department of education in Alabama, helping to mold educational standards for Hispanic students.
Currently, Rhonda has expanded her teaching audience. Alabama has a new, innovative distance learning program and she was one of the first teachers in the program. Rhonda teaches math to the kids in her room plus students at schools sometimes one hundred fifty miles away through video conferencing equipment. In order to personalize her teaching, she drives to meet her distance kids face to face. Many of the schools which she serves are filled with low income, underachieving students with little hope of pursuing a college degree. These are the kids she loves to work with the most. She also teaches three nights a week at a local community college as well as online math courses for kids all around the state.
Rhonda is one of those rare teachers who always has the kids' best interests at heart and does everything she can to better their lives.
On April 28, 2010, 24 Alabama classrooms held a videoconference with the UAB Antarctica Team LIVE FROM ANTARCTICA
Click here to see a video of students asking questions of the scientists
Check out the team as they hang out with penguins
Download the APTPLUS Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
Educator's Guide to UAB in Antarctica: 2010
Mary G. Montgomery High School (Mobile County Public Schools) teacher Stephanie Chase LeGrone was surprised with a prestigious Milken Award and its $25,000 prize.
It's known as the "Oscar" of education and it's awarded by the Milken Family Foundation of California. The foundation's Jane Foley said her group never gives an award to two people at the same school. But she said larger school systems, like Mobile County's, are ripe for winners, in part, because of all of the publicity the award generates. The foundation likes to recognize teachers for their hard work and let students and the community see that recognition.
MGM students participated in LeGrone's ceremony, even though they didn't know why they were there until her name was called. They clapped and jumped up and down with delight.
You can't apply for a Milken or even be nominated. Officials said it's a super-secret selection process--the state keeps a pool of talented teachers that the foundation goes through.
Cathy L. Bennett, ACCESS Math teacher from Geneva High School, has been selected as one of two high school math recipients of the 2009 State Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science. The 2009 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in High School Science Teaching will be selected among the two state finalists by a national selection committee. The national award carries a cash prize of $10,000!
Click Here to read the award letter.
Tarrant High School's ACCESS Facilitator, Glinda Fincher, is being recognized by General Mills' Feeding Dreams program.
General Mills created Feeding Dreams in recognition of everyday people who positively impact their communities.
For Glinda Fincher, family and community come first. In 2007, she formed an all-girl high school initiative entitled G.I.A. (Girls In Action). G.I.A. aims to help young girls at Tarrant High School, her place of employment, build their character, self-esteem, and leadership skills.
Thanks in part to ACCESS, Alabama is Number 1 in Advanced Placement Progress.
Alabama #1 State in Advanced Placement Progress
Local AP test scores jump after initiative
AP Results Confirm National Math and Science Initiative Boosts Student Achievement in Math, Science and English by 51 Percent-Individual.com
All Alabama high schools this year have state distance learning program
Riley, Morton celebrate educational milestone
Gov. Bob Riley and State School Superintendent Joe Morton are celebrating an Internet milestone as Alabama has expanded its distance learning program to all public high schools in the state.
Sharon Johnson of Madison County High School, selected as Alabama’s SREB High Quality Online Teacher, and was recognized by the Alabama State Board of Education with a proclamation.
FOX News’ Shepard Smith covers ‘ACCESS’ in the Fox Report
National story lauds Alabama as “trailblazer” in distance learning
(for press release click here)
The FOX News segment, that aired nationwide, touted Alabama’s use of technology as an efficient means to deliver quality instruction in lean fiscal times. To view the segment in its entirety please log on to: http://www.foxnews.com/foxreport/
ACCESS Articles:
Jan. 30, 2009 - MONTGOMERY - Governor Riley to Address High School Seniors Using ACCESS Distance Learning - Governor Bob Riley will give a preview of his State of the State address to an audience of high school seniors from 13 schools across the state thanks to the ACCESS Distance Learning program. The Governor’s preview will be delivered on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The students will also have an opportunity to ask the Governor questions.
Jan. 9, 2008 - Governor Riley Visits High Schools in North and South Alabama to Promote Funding Increase for ACCESS Distance Learning Governor Bob Riley visited high schools in Madison and Mobile counties on Wednesday as he continued promoting a funding increase for Alabama’s distance learning initiative.
Jul. 8, 2008 - MONTGOMERY - ACCESS Distance Learning to Reach Every High School Ahead of Schedule All high schools in Alabama will have ACCESS Distance Learning by the time school begins in August 2009, Governor Bob Riley and State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton announced today. That’s one year ahead of schedule.
Governor Visits New ACCESS schools - Press Packet
- Distance Learning Coming to all Alabama High Schools-ABC 33/40
- ACCESS Distance learning to reach every high school ahead of schedule-WAFF
- Distance learning due for all schools-TIMES DAILY
- ACCESS for All High School Students-WSFA
- Distance learning coming to all Ala. high schools-ASSOCIATED PRESS
- All Alabama high schools to have distance learning by fall 2009 - one year ahead of schedule-BIRMINGHAM NEWS
