Prineville Middle School science teacher Michael Geisen was recognized Thursday afternoon in the Smith Memorial Student Union for his educational achievements by being named the 2008 National Teacher of the Year.
Oregon middle school teacher dubbed National Teacher of the Year
Prineville Middle School science teacher Michael Geisen was recognized Thursday afternoon in the Smith Memorial Student Union for his educational achievements by being named the 2008 National Teacher of the Year.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and State Superintendent Susan Castillo spoke at the event honoring Geisen, who is also the 2007-2008 Oregon Teacher of the Year.
“Michael is an outstanding example of excellence in the classroom, leadership, commitment to teaching, and involvement in the community,” said Castillo in a written statement.
Geisen, the 58th teacher in the nation to receive the award, was commended for his innovative and creative approaches to science education. According to the Crook County teacher, he strives to hand tailor the majority of his assignments, activities and evaluations–rejecting the textbook format as much as possible.
Geisen strives to engage his students beyond classroom walls. In their letters of recommendation for the awards panel, Crook County Middle School Principal Rocky Miner, as well as the CCMS Science Department, lauded Geisen for his ability to engage not only students but also faculty, parents and other community members in educating Crook County’s youth.
An example of Geisen’s community-wide projects is the “The Night of Electric Creation,” a science fair, family dinner and community gathering rolled into one, where students can compete for the “Golden Chicken Award.”
The National Teacher of the Year award began in 1952, and is the nation’s oldest awards program focusing on excellence in education.
