MIKE OLSON (Rapid City Journal photo)
Bennett Co. teacher receives national award
-- Andrea J. Cook, Rapid City Journal
A Bennett County High School teacher was surprised at a school assembly
Sept. 19 with the news that he is South Dakota's 2007 American Star of
Teaching under a program sponsored by the United States Department of
Education.
Mike Olson of Martin has been making an impact in
students' lives for 34 years as a teacher in the Bennett County School
District.
Tracy Mulvenon, a representative from the United States Department of
Education, made the announcement at the Bennett County High School.
"The American Stars of Teaching highlights some of the many outstanding
educators in communities across the nation who are making a difference for
their students and helping to close the achievement gap so that every
child can succeed," U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said in
a prepared release.
Olson is an upper-level math and computer-science teacher who eagerly
embraces the use of computer technology in his classrooms, according to
Bennett County High School principal James Rotert.
Olson owned the first computer in the school district. He wrote his own
computer programs for his classes and programs for recording school
records. His drivers' education program was used by the state Department
of Education.
"Mr. Olson works very hard to incorporate technology into the classroom
that will challenge students learning in math," Rotert said.
Olson was selected two years ago to take part in an on going study
involving Texas Instruments and Ohio State University.
Olson is one of three South Dakota teachers using the Texas Institute
Navigator system linking students' graphing calculators with the teacher's
computer.
A U.S. Army veteran and former Martin mayor and city councilman, Olson
started the wrestling program at Bennett County High School, which he
continues to coach, and is the senior class adviser.
Olson and his wife, Betty, have four children.
The No Child Left Behind American Stars of Teaching project recognizes
exemplary teachers who raise student achievement and use innovative
classroom strategies to make a difference in their students' lives. One
teacher in every state and the District of Columbia is recognized
annually.
Started four years ago, the American Star of Teaching program is part of
the Teacher-To-Teacher Initiative. A committee of former teachers at the
U.S. Department of Education selected the American Stars from among 4,000
nominations. |
