Qwest honors innovative teachers

WEST VALLEY CITY — While most sixth-graders learn about ancient civilizations via textbooks or shoebox panoramas, students at Gerald Wright Elementary are creating their own virtual worlds on the computer.

That innovative use of technology earned teacher Florence Graham one of 20 grants given to teachers statewide who are using technology to get students more involved in lessons.

Qwest Foundation gave the first two grants — totalling $50,000 around the state — to two teachers at Gerald Wright Elementary in West Valley on Tuesday, surprising Graham and second-grade teacher Michelle Tanner with $2,000 checks.

"Technology is moving quickly, and these teachers are doing a wonderful job helping students become familiar with technology," said Jerry Fenn, Qwest president for Utah. "My hat is off to these educators who think outside the box and help make technology relevant and exciting."

Tanner, who teaches deaf students, has started using iPods so that students and their parents can download podcasts of her lectures. Each video shows Tanner conducting the lecture in sign language with text below so parents and students can be on the same page when it comes to homework assignments.

"This is just amazing. This is about as out of the box as you can get," said Gary Younger, Qwest spokesman.

Seven other Salt Lake County teachers were honored Tuesday by the Qwest technology grants, including Laura Steele of Bryant Middle School, Julianne Paul of Lincoln Elementary School, Ruth Ann Abbott of Jordan High School, Deborah Owens of Draper Elementary School, Rhonda Small-Oakes of Olympus Junior High School and Mary Martinez of Cottonwood High School.

The remaining recipients are being kept secret until the Qwest team is able to visit the counties to give the grants in person.

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