Member Mention: Meridian, ID, Teacher Awarded Grant for "Bird by Bird" Program

posted by: Cindy Omlin | March 24, 2011, 08:53 PM

Ms. Daisey Horner, a 10^th grade biology teacher at Mountain View High School in the Meridian School District and member of Northwest Professional Educators, has been awarded a classroom grant for $500. The grant will fund the purchase of binoculars for use by biology students in the “Bird by Bird” program organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Partnered with the Idaho Children and Nature Network, the goal of the program is to improve student observation skills and attention spans as well as to promote a love of nature through outdoor activities.

Daisey Horner Ms. Horner stated that her project will have a positive impact on the physical, emotional, and mental health of her students by helping them share experiences that build rapport inside and outside the classroom. The project, which she has done before, helps students lower the shield that protects them from anything that might hurt like words, homework, finals, and popularity. "When a teacher earns her students' respect, the possibilities are endless," states Ms. Horner. With previous students, she "began to see classroom behaviors and learning increase all because we saw a Mourning Dove in a tree."

NWPE congratulates Ms. Horner for her hard work and creativity in the classroom. Her award is certainly well-deserved as she seeks ways to increase student achievement.

Our spring application deadline of March 31 quickly approaches! NWPE teacher scholarships and classroom grants are competitive awards available to all educators. Fill out a contact form to receive an application to receive up to $500 for professional development or classroom materials. Teachers who are new to the profession or their classroom are also eligible for $250 New Classroom Start-Up Grants.