Lear wins 2012 McGlothlin Award
Kate Lear
At a ceremony April 19, the McGlothlin Foundation and Blue Ridge PBS announced the winners of the 2012 McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Kate Lear, a first grade teacher at Penn Forest Elementary received the elementary-level award. Lear has been teaching at Penn Forest for 14 years.
Also, Stephen Biscotte, science teacher at Cave Spring High School was named one of the finaists at the secondary level. Thomas Foster who teaches earth and physical science at Paul L. Dunbar Middle School for Innovation in Lynchburg, Va. received the secondary-level award.
These top teachers accepted their awards and $25,000 checks during the McGlothlin Celebration of Teaching at Radford University on April 19. The annual ceremony is conducted by the McGlothlin Foundation of Bristol, Va. and Blue Ridge PBS, and hosted by the Radford University College of Education and Human Development.
Both Lear and Thomas must use $10,000 of their award for international travel. Thomas D. McGlothlin, president of the Bristol, Va.-based McGlothlin Foundation, said the travel requirement was added “as a way to broaden the teacher’s mind and bring the world back to the students. We think traveling the world is the best teacher there is.” The McGlothlin Awards are among the largest education prizes given in the United States.
“Blue Ridge PBS has been part of the McGlothlin Awards since their inception 13 years ago,” said James Baum, president and CEO of Blue Ridge PBS. “It’s always a privilege to work with the exceptional teachers who dedicate their lives to student success. We congratulate Kate and Thomas on their achievements.”
Four other McGlothlin finalists were each presented with a trophy and a check for $1,000: Jennifer Shamy, Roanoke Academy for Math and Science Elementary, Roanoke City Public Schools; Stephanie Johnston, Kipps Elementary, Montgomery County Public Schools; Stephen Biscotte, Cave Spring High School, Roanoke County Public Schools; and Evandro Valente, Tennessee High School, Bristol City Public Schools (Tenn.).
The McGlothlin Foundation has given more than $600,000 to exceptional educators since 1999. Only teachers in selected portions of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky are eligible for the McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence. Two winning teachers, one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12 are chosen every year by a panel of distinguished educators. Blue Ridge PBS administers the months-long candidate application and judging process.
(Last updated 4/24/12)