Elementary School Teachers to Attend Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

• Two hundred teachers from 50 states to upgrade math and science teaching skills
• ExxonMobil partnered with PGA golfer Phil Mickelson to improve math and science education
• Academy has trained nearly 3,6000 teachers impacting more than 230,000 students

IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Two hundred elementary school teachers from across the United States have been selected to attend the 2013 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, a professional development program designed to enhance math and science teaching skills. Participants learn how to bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to life in the classroom, to inspire students to study and pursue careers in the critical fields.

“Today’s teachers and students must learn how to ‘speak science’ to ensure we remain competitive as a nation,” said PGA golfer Phil Mickelson. “The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy encourages teachers to use real-world examples and in-class experiments to build excitement about STEM learning, educating the next generation of American innovators.”

The successful educators teach third through fifth grade and were chosen from more than 1,500 applications submitted at www.sendmyteacher.com. Selection was based on teacher qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession. A panel of educators from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association selected participants to attend the national academy, held July 22-26, 2013, at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The academy is an intensive, one-week, all-expenses-paid program developed in 2005 when ExxonMobil partnered with Mickelson and his wife, Amy. Launched with support from the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, the initiative has trained 3,600 teachers benefiting more than 230,000 students nationwide. In addition to the 200 teachers attending this year’s national academy in New Jersey, 400 more teachers will attend regional academies in Louisiana and Texas.

“The academy reaffirmed my belief that the classroom can and should be one of the most exciting places a child visits,” said Krissy Venosdale, a teacher from St. Louis who attended in 2012. “Educators can reinvigorate their classrooms by sharing real-world applications of science and technology – like our country’s space program.”

Currently, U.S. students rank 17^th and 25^th globally in math and science, respectively, according to results from the 2009 Programme for …read more
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