OLTeach! 2008 Conference

NEWS

Online Teachers of the Year receive award from Commissioner Jones at the OL Teach! workshop:

First-Ever Colorado Online Teachers of the Year Announced

The Colorado Department of Education announced the Colorado 2008 Online Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year are Chaille Cummings and Michael Clem, respectively.

The announcement was made by Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight D. Jones via webcam from the first best-practice online teaching workshop.

Chaille Cummings is the master teacher and trainer for Colorado Connections Academy (ColoCA). Cummings’ primary focus is on early reading instruction with kindergarten and first grade students.

“I am honored, surprised and excited to receive this recognition,” said Cummings. “I know the future of learning will be online, so to be recognized as the first Colorado Online Elementary Teacher of the Year is a huge honor.”

Colorado’s 2008 Online Secondary Teacher of the Year Michael Clem is a founding member of the DPS Online High School. Clem helped create another choice and opportunity for all DPS students to have access to high quality education in a small learning community with more individualized instruction. Clem has been responsible for developing and designing online social studies curriculum, providing professional development and program support that have helped the school quadruple in size.

Clem thanked Principal Jeanne Ross for “bringing in people who believed in this experience.” Clem also thanked his colleagues whom he says make the school better each year. Clem also took the time to recognize conference attendees for their work as innovators and said, “We will make Colorado stand out.”