Karla Denny, Director of Communications, 785-296-4876
July 10, 2008
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Bradshaw
(202) 401-1576
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Announces the Selection of a Kansas Educator for a Teaching Ambassador Fellowship.
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced that Keil Hileman from Monticello Trails Middle School in Shawnee, Kan., is one of 25 teachers selected for a Teaching Ambassador Fellowship position with the U.S. Department of Education. He will serve as a Classroom Fellow for 2008-2009.
More than 1,000 teachers nationwide applied for the fellowships, which offer highly motivated, innovative public school teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experience to the national dialogue on public education.
"Keil Hileman will provide the Department of Education with invaluable classroom experience as he collaborates with federal policymakers on multiple issues impacting America's students. I look forward to the contributions and insights from this outstanding group," said Secretary Spellings.
The program for the 2008-2009 fellows kicks off in Washington, D.C., on Monday with a one-week orientation and policy conference. The events planned include a roundtable discussion with Secretary Spellings, briefings with senior department officials on timely policy matters, and opportunities to share best practices and local educational challenges.
Hileman, a former Kansas teacher of the year, has taught middle-school social studies for the past 15 years, focusing on American and world history. He was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year in 2004.
He created a "Museum in the Classroom" which has acquired thousands of original artifacts. He holds a master of science in education degree from the University of Kansas and has worked on the U.S. Education Department's Teacher to Teacher Initiative, as well as numerous activities with the Kansas State Department of Education.
The Teaching Ambassador fellows were selected on their leadership, impact on student achievement and potential for contribution to the field. They represent 21 states across the country. Of the 25 fellows, eight are high school teachers, 10 are middle school teachers and seven are elementary school teachers. They represent teaching expertise in a range of subject areas: three are general elementary school teachers, six have math expertise, five specialize in reading and language arts, five are science teachers, three educate social studies students, one provides art instruction, one brings knowledge of critical language instruction and one is a physical education teacher.
Additionally, many have had extensive experience teaching special education students, as well as non-native English speakers.
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