Ohio Teacher Named National American Pioneer of Teaching by National Coalition for Public School Options

Students, parents cast votes in online competition in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week

ARLINGTON, Va., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Coalition for Public School Options (NCPSO), a coalition of parents, students, teachers and advocates who support public school choice, announced today Ohio Virtual Academy High School Intervention Specialist Paul Wulff as the national American Pioneer of Teaching. Votes were cast on Facebook for the 19 state finalists competing for the national award.

In honor of National teacher Appreciation Week, NCPSO launched the American Pioneer of Teaching award to recognize top performing elementary and secondary teachers who work in pioneering public schools, such as online and traditional charter schools.

"Helping students reach their goals by connecting with their individual skills and needs makes every day a fulfilling one," said Paul Wulff.  "It is an honor to be recognized by NCPSO which champions alternative learning options as teachers across the country are celebrated this week."

"Every school year we learn more about new and innovative ways to meet students' individualized learning needs, and making these options available to students will foster a stronger foundation for our nation's future," said NCPSO Board President Briana LeClaire. "We congratulate Paul, and every one of the more than 900 teachers that were nominated by inspired students and parents during this competition."

"Meeting individual student needs is the best way to help every Ohio student reach their full potential, and Paul Wulff is a leader in harnessing innovative and individualized ways to help them prepare for a bright future," said the president of the Ohio eSchool Families and Friends Coalition Sara Donlon.  "We congratulate all teachers this week, and thank those who have supported non-traditional public school options for Ohio students and families."

More than 900 teachers were nominated by students through the NCPSO website. The 19 state finalists were selected by members of the NCPSO Board through an anonymous scoring system which awarded points for harnessing innovative teaching methods, adapting teaching methods to meets the needs of individual students, fostering mentoring relationships with students and overall dedication. The finalists where posted on NCPSO's Facebook page www.facebook.com/NationalCoalitionforPublicSchoolOptions where members of the public cast their votes for their favorite teacher candidate from April 30 – May 4.

The National Coalition for Public School Options is an alliance of parents that supports and defends parents' rights to access the best public school options for their children. The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, tuition scholarship programs, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs.  Additionally, we advocate for free and equal access without restrictions to these public schools for all children. For more information visit www.publicschooloptions.org.

SOURCE National Coalition for Public School Options