For immediate release January 6, 2005
Contact: Karen Ahearn
Communications Manager
412-481-7320
kahearn@assetinc.org
“Making ASSET Work” Awards Presented
PITTSBURGH — ( January 6, 2005 ) — ASSET (Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching) Inc. presented awards to a community partner and several individuals for their outstanding contribution to the organization's success in 2004. The awards were presented at a holiday celebration Dec. 10 aboard the Gateway Clipper River Belle.
Heinz Endowments received the “Making ASSET Work” Community Partner Award for their early investment in an increasingly important area of learning for children.
“Heinz Endowments is one of several community partners who play a vital role in helping ASSET Inc. improve the teaching and learning process in more than 180 schools in the region. Their efforts help ASSET supply more than 3,000 teachers and 63,000 students throughout Western Pennsylvania with the materials and professional development needed for standards-based science learning,” said ASSET 's Executive Director Reeny Davison , Ed.D.
Individuals receiving “Making ASSET Work” Awards included Dr. Cinda Herndon-King for her dedicated efforts as Vice President of the ASSET Board of Directors and consultant Jack Spink for his assistance with ASSET's move to newly-renovated facilities in the River Park Commons on the South Side. ASSET Assistant Director Vince Valicenti was presented an award for his ongoing contributions to the organization and the creation of new Associate Partnerships with area universities. Jeff Polonoli, ASSET E&E Content Specialist/Coordinator, Leah McDowell-Spink, ASSET Resource Teacher on loan from the Seneca Valley School District , and Diane DeMario, ASSET Resource Teacher on sabbatical from the Avonworth School District , also were awarded for their efforts in creating ASSET's new Environment and Ecology Toolboxes.
About ASSET:
Established by Bayer Corporation and other community partners in 1994, ASSET currently provides K-8 standards-based science materials and teacher professional development programs that directly impact 3,000 teachers and 63,000 students in 45 school districts, charter and private schools. Students in more than 180 ASSET member schools across Western Pennsylvania experience standards-based learning materials using an inquiry approach and are taught by teachers who receive professional development directly linked to the curriculum.
The largest program of its kind in the state, ASSET is the only one of 22 educational reform programs originally funded by the National Science Foundation that has achieved operational self-sustaining status. ASSET Inc. is an independent, nonprofit education reform initiative dedicated to continuously improve the abilities of teachers with initial efforts in K-8 science and technology education.