BOISE -- CenturyLink rewarded 12 teachers across Idaho with a total of $100,000 in grant money to be used for technology in their classrooms.
Karen Miller is one of the 12 teachers. She was surprised with a $5,940 check from CenturyLink in the middle of her 8th grade science class at Eagle Middle School on Monday.
"It's pretty exciting and we are thrilled," said Miller.
There were 108 teachers who applied for the grant money. Miller completed her application last year.
"I put a lot of time and energy into the application," said Miller. "We really thought through what we wanted. And it's nice for somebody to say, 'Yeah, what you were thinking is great,'" said Miller.
Miller plans to buy 12 laptops with the grant money. The laptops will give students the opportunity to carry out their own research, immediately perform analysis, and share those findings with other students.
"We wanted the laptops to be a tool that the kids were using all the time," said Miller. "When they have jobs in the future, they're going to be using spreadsheets and turning data into graphs. We just thought in science, since we are collecting data, it's a great opportunity for them to practice those skills that they can take to the workforce," said Miller.
Jim Schmit, Vice President of CenturyLink says the "Innovative Uses of Technology in Education" grant program has been rewarding Idaho teachers for the last eight years. So far, the company has given away more than $590,000.
"What we're really looking for is not only teachers that can take and integrate technology into the classroom, but really those teachers that have a passion for doing that," said Schmit.
Paige Somoza received $9,934 to buy technology that will enhance her 7th grade world studies class at West Junior High School. The technology will provide students the opportunity to take virtual tours of places such as the World War Two museum in New Orleans.
"Due to our economic situation there's been a lack of funding for our students and so that means limited field trip opportunities. So I wanted to give them the opportunity to take a field trip to some place where a lot of these kids would never go," said Somoza.
State Superintendent Tom Luna says this kind of partnership between the business community and education is essential for creating a 21st century classroom.
"The whole Students Come First reform laws focuses on making sure every teacher, not just some, have the tools they need to have a 21st century classroom. This helps in that effort and as a state we continue to focus on that effort as well," said Luna.
The other two Treasure Valley teachers rewarded with technology grant money are Neal Jareczek and Sarah Thompson. Jareczek, who teaches at Borah High, was rewarded $6,405 to purchase a Roland EGX 350 Computer Engraver, software and accessories. Thompson, who teaches at Middleton Middle School, was rewarded $9,995 to purchase 16 Lenovo ThinkPad Tablets with keyboard docks and software.
Teachers were able to apply for up to $10,000 in grants.
