DALLAS, TX, April 5, 2005 -- The Ciba Specialty Chemicals Foundation honored the best of the best at the National Science Teachers Association's 53rd National Convention in Dallas, TX this past weekend. Through its Foundation, Ciba singled out elementary, middle and high school science teachers and principals who are finding new ways to capture their students' imaginations, and lighting the way to exciting careers in the sciences. The Ciba Foundation awards are part of a strong partnership between the Company and the NSTA; the partnership is rooted in dedication to lifelong learning.
The Ciba awards single out the following individuals, each one representing a compelling story of service to young people and to education in this country.
-- Vivian B. Brent, Elementary Principal, New Franklin Elementary, New Franklin, Missouri, won the Exemplary Elementary Science Principal Award for Leadership in Science Education. She does an outstanding job providing resources, tools, technology and professional development in her school. She is committed to the professional development of her teachers, which creates a positive spiral with the students who in turn develop a positive attitude which spills over into other subjects.
"As we are part of a small rural community with no industry, hospital or doctors, the ability to create excitement amongst the teachers, students and parents adds to the confidence level, " Ms. Brent stated.
-- Deborah T. Boros, Elementary Teacher, Mississippi Elementary School, Coon Rapids, MN, was singled out to win the Exemplary Elementary Science Teaching Award. Her dedication in building science outreach among staff, students and parents, especially through the "Super Science Spectacular" activity where students and parents discover science together by participating in hands-on science activities, remains unsurpassed.
"What a night it is," stated Ms. Boros. " Seeing parents along with their children discover science side by side and making new connections. Then, being able to provide the resources for them to continue this learning¿it's extremely rewarding."
-- Kristi Jefferson, Principal, Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN, was awarded one of the Middle and High School Level Principal Awards for consistently goes the extra mile in supporting the Science Department through science equipment, in-services, professional development in the content area, and community outreach. Under Tennessee's "No Child Left Behind" guidelines, Freedom Middle was a target school. Kristi identified the areas in need of improvement and systematically implemented 17 strategies to improve student performance in science.
"As a result of working together with science teachers, my school is no longer on the target list," stated Ms. Jefferson. "It is an extreme accomplishment that we are all proud of!"
-- Kimberly Reining-Gray, High School Science Teacher, Central High School, Macon, GA, earned a spot among the best of the best for her creativity both in and out of the classroom. She won one of the Middle and High School Level Science Teacher Awards by bringing the real world into her classroom everyday, and helps her students use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative imagination in lab construction.
"I strive to continually engage my students with demonstrations and activities that make them question "why" behind the event," Ms. Reining-Gray commented. " I believe that critical thinking and analysis are life skills that every student needs and should develop, so I consistently try to achieve that end through active engagement of my students."
The Ciba Specialty Chemicals Foundation is a special resource that embodies our intense commitment to education, to furthering careers in the sciences, and to being an active and welcome corporate neighbor. The foundation forges partnerships among schools, businesses and communities, focusing on School-to-Career initiatives that support student needs and teacher development.
The foundation signature programs include the Ciba High School Chemistry Institute, High School Science Awards, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Exemplary Elementary/Middle/High School Teacher and Principal Awards, and the Ciba Environmental Engineering Scholarship at Manhattan College in Riverdale, N.Y. These programs are points of pride for Ciba employees, and help to raise our profile in the communities in which we operate and enhance our reputation as a national leader in education.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals (www.cibasc.com) is a global company adding performance, protection, color and strength to textiles, plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home and personal care products and much more. It's active in more than 120 countries and generated sales of US$5.7 billion in 2004 and invested US$232 million in R&D.
###
