April 22, 2009

News Release

TISD Teacher Gets an Opportunity of a Lifetime

            Tyler ISD elementary teacher selected to attend esteemed academy in New Jersey.  Holly Chilek, a teacher at Bonner Elementary School, is among the 200 teachers selected from around the country to participate in the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in Jersey City, New Jersey, July 19-24, 2009.

The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is a one-week all-expense-paid intensive professional development program for third through fifth grade teachers.  The Academy offers a five-day program designed to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math.

Two former students she taught at Bonner Elementary School nominated Chilek.  Upon learning of the news that she had been accepted, Chilek stated, “I started shaking and crying!  I was so excited – but the best part was that two of my former students had nominated me.  I can’t wait to attend the academy, to me, it s a once in lifetime opportunity.”

Former student, Huyen Nguyen said, “I nominated Mrs. Chilek for the academy because Mrs. Chilek teaches her students to do the best in what they do and the lessons that I learned from her, I put them to use every day since I left her class."  Chilek taught Nguyen four years ago.

            “Mrs. Chilek makes learning fun,” said Steve Tave, a former student from last school year.  “She made math interesting.”

Phil and Amy Mickelson partnered with ExxonMobil to develop the Academy in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions.  The Mickelsons wanted to develop a program that inspires teachers from across the country in math and science and equips them with interactive teaching tools to ignite their students' passion for these subjects.  They also wanted to develop a program that helps to develop the next generation of science savvy citizens who will grow up to make the next breakthrough in medicine, in energy, or in any of the growing number of fields that require a solid foundation in math and science.

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