Timberlake’s Anderson named biology teacher of the year
Mike Anderson has been a biology teacher at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake since the school opened in 1998. This year he was recognized for his dedication and hard work when he received the statewide award for outstanding Idaho biology teacher by the National Association of Biology Teachers.
Kurt Hoffman, Anderson’s principal, nominated him. “He never really said why he nominated me. … I don’t know if he thought I was influential or a pain,” he said.
After his nomination and letters of recommendation, Anderson went to a statewide Idaho Science Teacher Association conference in Idaho Falls, where he received his award. Along with a framed certificate, Anderson will receive a microscope and a pair of binoculars.
The award has been given to biology teachers since 1963 and is presented to only one teacher in each state every year. “I almost feel guilty … there are some fantastic teachers out there,” Anderson said.
Anderson has been a teacher in Idaho for 16 years. He lives with his wife and 2 1/2 year-old daughter in Rathdrum.
Forest group awards teachers funds
The Idaho Forest Products Commission recently awarded educators with funds to help implement forest-related teaching in Idaho schools.
North Idaho educators awarded include Pamela Gomes, of Lake City High School; John Hastings, of Sandpoint High School; Brian O’Rourke, of Post Falls Middle School; and Kerinsa Sanborn, of Spirit Lake Middle School.
“Teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money on materials to enhance their students’ learning,” said Michelle Younquist, the commission’s education coordinator, in a press release. “Through these grants we aim to relieve some of that burden by supporting their innovative teaching about Idaho’s trees, forests and forest products.”
To learn more, call 334-4061 or visit www.idahoforests.org.
Senate Youth Program deadline Oct. 31
The deadline to submit materials for the U.S. Senate Youth Program is Oct. 31.
Two student leaders from Idaho will be selected as delegates to the program and will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., with all expenses paid. The students will see the federal government “in action,” meet with national leaders on Capitol Hill, at the White House, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon and State Department.
Students also will receive a one-time $5,000 college scholarship from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
For more information, call Amanda Salazar at 332-6974.