Penn Wood Teacher Selected for Mickelson ExxonMobil Academy

The following is a press release from the West Chester Area School District.

Josh Williams, a third grade teacher at Penn Wood Elementary, has been selected from more than 1,000 teachers nationwide to attend the 2012 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. Williams is one of 200 highly-qualified third- through fifth-grade teachers from around the country selected to participate in this intensive one-week, all-expense paid professional development program held in July. Williams was selected by a panel of educators from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) based on his qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and his overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession.

Through www.sendmyteacher.com, teachers from all 50 states had the opportunity to apply for this development opportunity with more than 1,000 teachers applying for the 2012 Academy. 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 www.sendmyteacher.com.

During the Academy, 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 that they can share with their students in the classroom.

Phil and Amy Mickelson, in partnership with ExxonMobil, developed the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in 2005 in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions. The program - The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy - offers advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for elementary school teachers chosen from the communities around the country where Mickelson will be playing tournaments. The curriculum is designed to help teachers engage students in math and science at an early age in the hopes of retaining their interest in these subjects through college.

“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,” said PGA golfer Phil Mickelson. “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.