Riverside, Mead Teachers Receive Pacesetter Awards

A dozen Spokane-area educators recently received PaceSetter Awards as part of Professional-Technical Education month.

Four North Side teachers were awarded a $500 PaceSetter Grant for program equipment and supplies.

They include: Linda Campbell, eighth grade, Riverside Middle School; Barbara Norton, first grade, Riverside Elementary; Tom Pecor, sixth grade, Riverside Middle; and Art Sabiston, industrial technology, Mead High School.

“The PaceSetter Award recipients demonstrate charisma necessary to help students become excited about their education and future careers,” said Steve Dahlstrom, CEO and president of the Spokane Teachers Credit Union, the founding sponsor of the award.

“Their commitment to the future success of our students is important to our schools, our community and area businesses,” he said.

The three Riverside teachers were recognized for their “innovative entrepreneurship courses,” and Sabiston was acknowledged for his “high-tech pneumatics instruction.”

Here are other educators recognized as PaceSetters: Mona Griffin, counselor, Mount Spokane High; Sarah Leverett Main, coordinator of Spokane Youth Job Program; Cory NeVille, REAL instructor at Riverside High; Bob Newell, math instructor at Mead High; Leslie Sturdivant, physical education, and Teresa Miller, art, at Garry Middle School; and Scott Sutherland and Kathy Thorson, special education, University High School.

Pathways, sponsor of the PaceSetter Awards, is a community-wide initiative aimed at assisting students in their school-to-work transition by integrating core academics and career applications. It was founded in 1994.

Participating schools include the Spokane Area Skills Center, Community Colleges of Spokane, and the school districts of Central, East and West Valley, Mead, Medical Lake, Pullman, Cheney, Nine Mile Falls, Riverside and Spokane.

Colbert students hit the stage

Colbert Elementary School students made their acting debut last weekend on the new stage at Mt. Spokane High School.

The acclaimed performance was the result of a 20-week Musical Theater Workshop.

The after-school workshop was taught by Jennifer Madsen, the director of American Children’s Theatre in Spokane.

She was assisted by Delanie Kay Tucker, a performing member of HIJINX, a comedy improv group, and by Suzanne Niles, an actress with many television and movie credits.

The 50 third-through-sixth-grade students sang, danced and recited poetry. They also demonstrated acting exercises and theater games they learned while taking the workshop.

The highlight of the show was a Nigerian tale, “Why the Sky is Far Away,” that was set to music.

The program was sponsored by Colbert Elementary PTO. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the school’s art program.

The next workshop at Colbert begins March 4.

Students at Mead Junior High are also being offered a workshop by the American Children’s Theatre that begins March 3. Home-schooled children are invited to join the workshops.

More information is available by calling Jennifer Madsen, 467-8232.

Green Eggs and Ham…?

Browne Elementary School will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the school gym.

Those interested are invited to hear readings of Dr. Seuss stories, and dress up as their favorite storybook character for the costume contest.

Montessori Program meetings

Parents interested in enrolling their children in Spokane School District’s Montessori Program must attend an informational meeting at the administration building, 200 N. Bernard, at 7 p.m. today or Wednesday, at the same place and time.

To have a child considered for the Montessori Program, parents must attend one of two information sessions.

, DataTimes