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Nikki Skinner of Houston’s Almeda Elementary Selected for Ernest and Sarah Butler
Award for Excellence in Science Teaching
WGU graduate, Nikki Skinner, a teacher at Houston’s Almeda Elementary School, has been recognized for her outstanding work as a science teacher by the Texas Medical Association. Skinner, who recently completed her master’s degree in Science Education at WGU, has been awarded the TMA’s 2010 Ernest and Sarah Butler Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. The award, which was created in 1990, rewards teachers who use innovative teaching methods to share their energy and enthusiasm for science, and encourages young students to consider careers in medicine. Skinner will receive her award in April at the 2010 TexMed Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
Skinner completed her Master of Arts in Science Education at WGU earlier this year, and she earned her bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Texas Southern University. Last year, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year by her peers at Almeda Elementary.
“As science teachers, we are working hard to make the subject matter meaningful and to make our students lifelong science enthusiasts,” said Skinner. “The scientists, doctors, and engineers of tomorrow are sitting in a fifth grade class today, and teachers play a critical role in helping them realize their potential. Science is not just a series of facts but an exciting process. The job of a science teacher is to teach the facts, but keep the wonder."
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Written by Larry Manch, WGU Teacher Alum
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 A formation of Blackhawk helicopters thunders past, barely 100 feet over my head. Camouflaged soldiers, with automatic weapons slung over their shoulders, walk briskly past as they make their rounds. An armored personnel carrier is parked on the road nearby. I blow my whistle and my charges hurry to line up, straight and tall. No, I’m not a soldier reviewing a line of troops in a combat zone. I’m a teacher with a group of 2nd graders on a playground in Texas.
Montague Village Elementary School (MVES) is much like any other elementary school, with a student population ranging from pre-K to 5th grade. The difference is that MVES is located on an Army post – Fort Hood, Texas – one of the largest U.S. military installations in the world. Ft. Hood is the home of the 1st Cavalry Division – known as "The First Team" – and former home of the 4th Infantry Division, well known for capturing the infamous Saddam Hussein. My students are the sons and daughters of active duty Army soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Teaching at a school located on a military post offers experiences that most would not expect in a teaching career. An armed guard scrutinizes my identification every morning as I enter the gate. Although we have Department of Defense stickers on our car, like everyone else entering this gate, we are occasionally selected for a random search of the car.
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 Where are you from? I currently reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.
When did you start at WGU? My WGU experience began in September 2007, right after the birth of my second son, which made me realize I wanted a better life for my family.
Your program of study: I am studying for my Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies to teach K-8.
Your favorite aspect of being a WGU student: There are two aspects of being a student at WGU which are my favorite. The first aspect, is the ability to better myself by earning my degree while still spending plenty of time at home with my family. The other favorite aspect of my experience is the phone calls I have with my mentor, Lisa Maxwell. She has been so supportive of everything I do, and she truly cares about my success. She has never failed to answer a question, and she has never led me in the wrong direction. I couldn’t ask for better support during a very important time in my life.
What are your plans after you finish your degree? After completing my degree, I would like to begin teaching in an elementary school near my home. I would also like the opportunity to tutor students who are struggling. Eventually, I plan to obtain a degree in Sign Language Translation so that I may use that ability to teach children who are hearing impaired.
Outside of work and WGU, what do you like to do? I spend a lot of time with my two boys. They are 8 years old and 2 years old. We take walks, we ride bikes, we play baseball in our yard, we kick a soccer ball, and sometimes just kick back and watch a movie together. Family time is a big deal in my family.
More on Nanci: I am 32. I have been married for 11 years and have two boys: Jacob is 8, and Shaun is 2½.
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Where ar e you from? Originally from Macon, Georgia, but moved up to Atlanta five years ago.
When did you start at WGU? December of 2009.
Your program of study: Elementary Education.
Your favorite aspect of being a WGU student: I get to do school on my own time. I currently work a 40 hour a week job in retail management, plus I am raising a family with my wife; our 2 year old daughter and 3 week old son. So going to a traditional college was not an option at this point for me. I needed a program that allowed me the flexibility to study at nights after the kids go to bed, while at the same time allowing me to accelerate if I choose.
What are your plans after you finish your degree? To go straight into a teaching job and continue my education with a master’s degree.
Outside of work and WGU, what do you like to do? I am the biggest sports fanatic you will ever meet! My personal goal in life is to visit as many famous sports stadiums as possible. I currently have been to Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, the Sugar Bowl, PETCO Park, and Sanford Stadium (Goooooooooo Dawgs! Sick em’. Woof Woof Woof Woof).
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Written by Susan Wildburger, WGU Teacher Alum
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Not too long ago, Joy Behar interviewed prolific writer, Gore Vidal, on her new show. Vidal told Behar's audience, "We have the worst-educated population of any first-world country, and I hope you're listening, and I hope you know that your lack of education is the joke of the world. This is not a very nice joke."
Reading is probably the most underachieved skill that is yielding the so-called "uneducated masses of young children and young adults" in this first-world country of ours.
Reading is what my mother, grandmother and many influential members of my family encouraged me to pursue. Reading opens doors; reading conquers barriers; reading soothes the soul. It enables one to explore beyond the boundaries of the impossible, beyond imagination, beyond boredom. Reading not only helps children master tasks, but they learn to be inquisitive, to logically interpret and infer.
That's why I remembered "The Day that Reading Died" for my oldest daughter and the rest of her generation. Back in her elementary school days, every month her teacher would show the kids the Troll and Scholastic book order forms so the class could take them home and return them, filled out and with a check attached.
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