LEONARDTOWN, Md.—Sixteen educators were honored this year, including Lindsay Gray Brenfleck from the STEM Academy at Lexington Park Elementary School, as Fellows in the 2011-2012 Sarah D. Barder Educator Recognition Program administered by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The goal of the Barder Program is to honor educators who effectively motivate and inspire children with pronounced academic ability.
Each year, CTY invites students in its summer and on-line programs, residing in California, Nevada, and Maryland, to nominate the teacher who has had a positive effect on the student's education. Nominated teachers are invited to submit an essay describing their teaching philosophy. A panel of Hopkins educators selects a small number each year for recognition as Sarah D. Barder (SDB) Fellows.
New SDB Fellows were inducted at the SDB Annual Conference, held this year from February 3-5 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, California.
This year's theme was "The Teacher as Co-Learner in the Digital Age." The Friday keynoter was Mr. Will Richardson, author of Personal Learning Networks: Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education. Saturday presenters were Professor Trent Batson, Executive Director of the Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning; Professor Helen Barrett, founder of the REAL ePortfolio Academy; Marina Koestler Ruben, author of How To Tutor Your Own Child; and Sayeed Choudhury, Hodson Director of the Digital Knowledge Center at the Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins University.
Field trip options included the Discovery Center at the nearby Reagan Presidential Library, the Sumac L-STEM Academy in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, the EARTHS Elementary School in the Conejo Valley Unified School District, and the California Health and Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons.
Nearly 400 educators have been honored as SDB Fellows in the 24 years of the program.
About the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
The Center conducts the nation's oldest and most extensive pre-college academic talent search, and offers programming of appropriate challenges for students with exceptionally high academic ability. Students who score at or above the 95th percentile on a grade level standardized test are invited to join CTY's Talent Search. Upon entering the Talent Search, students sit for an above grade level standardized test that measures mathematical and verbal reasoning. Qualifying students, from kindergarten through high school, may then enroll in a variety of academic programs, including summer residential programs, on-line courses, and one-day and week-long family conferences. CTY also publishes Imagine, an award-winning periodical filled with opportunities and resources for gifted students. CTY academic programs are accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. CTY students come from all 50 states and from many countries.
Source: St. Mary's County Public Schools