Pueblo teacher gets innovation award
Andrew Lettes, a bioscience teacher at Pueblo Magnet High School, got a surprise visit Tuesday from Science Foundation Arizona.
The nonprofit organization awarded the 16-year veteran with its Innovation Hero award, which recognizes students and teachers who use innovative approaches to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Lettes' program includes hands-on bioscience projects. His students are able to earn college-level credits.
"Dr. Lettes represents the best of what TUSD and public education is about," said John Carroll, the Tucson Unified School District's interim superintendent.
As part of his award, Lettes was given a $500 gift card for classroom supplies.
St. Gregory chief on US education panel
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Jonathan Martin, head of school at St. Gregory College Preparatory School, spoke at the U.S. Department of Education's sixth annual Private School Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
He was selected as one of only three K-12 school-based educators from the U.S. to serve as panelists.
Martin took part in a discussion titled "Measuring Mission and Data Collection: Are the Two Compatible?"
"There is today a great debate nationally about the use of value-added statistics in assessing educational success," Martin said. "But rather than fighting over whether we do it, let's instead focus more carefully about what we choose to measure and how we use the results."
The panel discussion was followed by remarks from Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education.
Sunnyside's Dong to get national honor
Eva Carrillo Dong, a Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board member, will be recognized at the Latina Leaders Celebration in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
It's sponsored by the Imagen Foundation and the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
Dong, who was nominated by U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., will be recognized as a "Latina Leader" in education. Dong has helped advance the community and has served as an inspiration to young people, Grijalva said.
Compiled by Alexis Huicochea and Carmen Duarte. Contact Alexis at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
