Education Notebook: National honor for All Saints teacher
Kolleen Murray, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at All Saints Catholic School, 3510 E. 18th Ave., recently received the 2012 Distinguished Teacher Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.
In an association news release, All Saints Principal Kathy Hick said of Murray, “Kolleen takes pride in her work and in her class preparation. She wants them to be successful and expects the best from them.” Hick said Murray is an outstanding Catholic educator dedicated to youth.
Murray is one of 12 educators from Catholic schools across the country honored for teaching excellence, strong work ethic and devotion to students and schools.
‘Project Hope’ at Ferris
The drama students at Ferris High School will perform “Project Hope” today and Friday to raise awareness about teen suicide.
The benefit show is a collection of student written, directed and produced scenes. Ferris drama students have been working on the project since the beginning of the school year, listening to guest speakers and representatives from local organizations, and using the information to write their one-act pieces.
They hope their production will get people talking about teen suicide.
The performances will be in the Ferris Auditorium at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased at the door.
Proceeds will benefit local teen suicide prevention programs.
For more information, call Mary Cooper, Ferris theater arts director, at (509) 354-6076 or email marycoo@spokaneschools.org.
‘Great Grads’ features Silver
The most recent video interview in the “Great Grads” series, featuring Mitch Silver, is now available at www.spokaneschools.org and on YouTube. Silver, a Shadle Park High School alumnus, is the owner of Silver Collector Car Auctions.
The latest episodes of “Educating Spokane” and “School Talk” are also available on www.spokaneschools.org. Click on “Watch our videos” in the Highlights section.
“School Talk” airs daily on Comcast cable channel 17 at 7 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.
Deer Park teacher noted
Ken Ryan, a health and fitness teacher at Deer Park Middle School, was awarded Washington’s Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Challenge.
According to a news release from the Washington State Dairy Council, Ryan organized a “Play 60 Team” of students to promote healthy eating and exercise at his school. The team led activities during school assemblies, passed out healthy snacks at the school’s fun run and advertised healthy lifestyle choices. The release said the Play 60 team also provided yogurt and fruit parfait breakfasts to students once a month.
The Dairy Council release said that there are more than 70,000 Play 60 schools across the United States and about 100 in Spokane.