Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy Training Math and Science Teachers

On Monday, the first of three week-long Department of Education National Town Halls began at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in Fairfax, Va. According to the Department's press release, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings met in Fairfax with Academy co-founders and 200 elementary math and science teachers selected from schools across the country.

The Mickelson ExxonMobile Teachers Academy was created in 2005 by the collaborative efforts of ExxonMobile, professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy, the National Science Teachers Assn., and Math Solutions Professional Development. The purpose of the Academy is to give elementary school teachers in grades three through five new and creative teaching methods in the subjects of math and science.

Nationally, there is a realization that science, technology, engineering and math are critical if today's students are to compete in the global workforce. The National Town Halls are intended to address and expand on that. The press release quotes Secretary Spellings' Town Hall remarks: "Employers today need workers with 'pocket-protector' skills, creative problem-solvers with strong math and science backgrounds. The more students we train to be entrepreneurs and creative problem solvers, the more jobs they'll create, and the greater ability they'll have to improve the quality of life for others."

In 2007, a total of 600 teachers will attend the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy when sessions are held in Fairfax, Va., Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, La. According to the ExxonMobile website, Math Solutions and The National Science Teachers Association designed the curriculum and will oversee the daily activities. The actual instructors will be seasoned math and science teachers with a good track record of classroom experience.

According to the ExxonMobile website, the 600 participating teachers were selected for the Academy by a nomination process in their respective districts, after invitations were extended to school districts based on Mickelson's PGA TOUR schedule and major ExxonMobil work sites.

The press release states that next year, per the No Child Left Behind Act, there will be science assessments in the schools. The Academy will provide teachers and administrators with the tools they need to teach and assist science students, giving them the skills they need for college and employment.

In 2006, Secretary Spellings started the National Math Panel to determine the best research available on teaching math and then making that information available for classroom teachers.

When all is said and done, the game plan is to better prepare students in the fields of math and science for the 21st century global workforce.

Sources:

Press release, Secretary Spellings Highlights Math and Science Education at Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy; http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/07/07232007.html

ExxonMobile website; http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/Citizenship/gcr_education_academy_faq.asp