Walden University Announces 2010 Educator for a Day Grant Recipients

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University today announced the recipients of its 2010 Educator for a Day grants. As part of the nationwide celebration of the National Education Association's (NEA) American Education Week, observed Nov. 14–20, 2010, Walden will award the $5,000 grants to three P–12 schools that are offering Educator for a Day events on Thursday, Nov. 18. Each school will host at least one aspiring educator who will shadow a teacher during the school day.

"Every year, Walden offers these grants that serve as a call to action for educators to shed light on the successes and challenges of our nation's schools," said Dr. Kate Steffens, dean of Walden's Riley College of Education and Leadership. "Each recipient chosen for a grant this year demonstrates a firm commitment to bringing together parents, friends and the community to work toward the success of their students."

The 2010 Educator for a Day grant recipients are:

Greenview Child Development Center, Greenville, S.C. — With 180 preschool-aged children who are considered physically and academically at-risk, Greenview Child Development Center will use the grant to help provide learning experiences that enhance the children's curiosity, imagination and physical well-being while meeting standards-based math and language-based reading skills. For its "Getaway to Greenview" Educator for a Day celebration, the school is inviting its Greenville community to experience the daily life of an early childhood educator. In keeping with the airline theme, students created flight and boarding passes that will allow participants to select their activities for the day.

McNary Heights Elementary School, Umatilla, Ore. — The school, with 260 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is currently experiencing low mathematics test scores. The grant funds will be used to purchase math manipulatives that provide a hands-on teaching approach and will help the school meet new state math standards. On Nov. 18, McNary Heights Elementary School teachers will invite parents to "walk in their shoes" for a day and use specifically designed math lessons to teach the children.

Yellowstone Academy, Houston, Texas — The Pre-K through 7th grade school, which teaches some of Houston's most impoverished children, will use the grant to purchase much-needed supplies to enhance its learning environment, including flash drives, recess equipment and items for the conduct-reinforcement store. For its Educator for a Day event, Yellowstone Academy will host a student in Walden's B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies program who will shadow teachers in classrooms and assist with lessons as well as help perform other regular teaching duties, including serving as a monitor in the lunchroom and the library.

Walden's 40-year history of educating educators has created a community of more than 45,000 students and alumni who are leaders in their classrooms and schools. As a leading provider of online education degrees, the Riley College of Education and Leadership is dedicated to increasing teacher effectiveness and student achievement by connecting its students with nationally recognized education experts, researchers and scholars. Walden's programs, while strongly grounded in theory, emphasize practical skills and analytical tools educators can immediately use to enhance student learning and outcomes.

For more information about The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

About Walden University

For 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network -- a global network of 50 online and campus-based universities in 24 countries.

Walden offers more than 45 degree programs with more than 195 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

SOURCE Walden University