Wehr awarded grant

Jeff Wehr, a science teacher at the Advanced STEM Research Laboratory at Odessa High School was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant from Northwest Professional Educators, the state's only non-union professional teacher association. The organization's regional director Brenda Miller presented the award at a staff and student reception on November 9.

Wehr's grant will help fund equipment with Vernier computer-based interfaces which can sample, record, graph and create statistical analysis. Wehr notes that the Odessa School District has an open laboratory system which enables any teacher of grades Pre-K through 12 to access the laboratory supplies. Therefore, the entire district benefits from this grant.

"Mr. Wehr's award is certainly well-deserved as he seeks ways to increase student achievement," said executive director Cindy Omlin. "Northwest Professional Educators is proud to reward educators for their hard work and creativity in the classroom."

NWPE awards teacher scholarships and classroom grants up to $500 and $250 new classroom start-up grants. All educators are eligible for the awards although members receive first preference. The next application deadline is March 1 for the $500 awards and December 31 for the new classroom start up grants.

Northwest Professional Educators is a nonprofit, non-union, professional educators' organization focused on students as educators' highest priority and improving the professionalism of education.

Northwest Professional Educators welcomes educators of any education entity including teachers, administrators and support staff and provides members with liability insurance, legal services, professional development resources, teacher scholarships, classroom grants, and a voice on education issues. Membership dues are $16.50 a month.

More information about Northwest Professional Educators and its teacher scholarship and classroom grant program may be obtained by visiting the website at http://www.nwpe.org or calling 800-380-6973.