'Teachers of the Year' among Windstream's Classroom Connections judges
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Windstream (NYSE: WIN) has chosen three state Teachers of the Year as
judges for its new Classroom Connections program, which will
provide public schools in Windstream's service area the chance to
receive up to $200,000 for new technology and computer labs.
The Classroom Connections program is being launched as part of
Windstream's 2009 Green Truck Tour, which the company uses to give
customers hands-on interaction with its phone, high-speed Internet, and
digital TV products.
All public and public charter schools in Windstream's 16-state service
area are encouraged to apply for the Classroom Connections
donation. Eight $25,000 donations will be made. Schools must apply for
the donation online at www.greentrucktour.com/classroom
and are required to submit a video demonstrating need for the donation.
The deadline to apply is March 12.
The six judges who will review schools' applications include three state
Teachers of the Year and three Windstream executives. They are:
Karen Gill is the 2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. She began
teaching high school science in 1990 and has been teaching physics at
Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Ky. since 1992. She graduated with
honors from Lexington'sTransylvania University majoring in physics,
mathematics and education. She has a master's degree from the University
of Kentucky in science education. Gill achieved National Board
Certification in adolescent and young adult science education in 2002
and received the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in mathematics
and science teaching.
Jenna Hallman is the 2008-09 South Carolina Teacher of the Year,
and is a science specialist at Calhoun Academy of the Arts in Anderson,
S.C. Hallman earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South
Carolina - Upstate and a master's degree in administration and
supervision from Clemson University. She received her National Board
Certification in 2003 and has been teaching for 10 years. Hallman
recently published a manuscript in Randi Stone's Best Practices for
Teaching Reading.
Deborah Wickerham is the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year. She is a
fifth grade inclusion teacher from Findlay City Schools. She has a
bachelor's degree in elementary education and deaf education from
Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in educational
leadership from the University of Findlay. Wickerham was a Presidential
Award winner for elementary science excellence in 1999 and received her
National Board Certification in 2001.
Ric Crane is executive vice president and chief marketing officer
for Windstream. Crane is responsible for the company's marketing and
advertising efforts, pricing, product development, marketing research
and strategic business development. He has served in this position since
January 2006.
Frank Schueneman is senior vice president of network services for
Windstream. He is responsible for the planning, engineering and
operation of Windstream's wireline network throughout its 16-state
territory. Schueneman previously served as vice president of engineering
for Alltel, with responsibility for Alltel's wireless and wireline
networks including RF engineering, cell site construction, switching,
transport and broadband data. Schueneman has over 25 years of industry
experience and a broad technical background that includes design,
construction and operation of wireless, wireline, long-distance and data
networks.
David Avery is director of corporate communications for
Windstream. He has more than 20 years experience in public relations and
broadcasting. He was appointed to his current position at Windstream in
2006, and previously served as staff manager of corporate communications
at Alltel Corp. Prior to joining Alltel in 1998, he served as news
operations director at KATV, the ABC TV affiliate in Little Rock, Ark.
About Windstream
Windstream Corporation is an S&P 500 company that provides digital
phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition video and entertainment
services to customers in 16 states. The company has approximately 3
million access lines and about $3.2 billion in annual revenues. For more
information, visit www.windstream.com.