CVU Teacher Wins Top Award
A Vermont AP biology teacher was named the winner of the National Teacher of the Year Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. Each year one teacher from a pool of over 15-thousand schools is selected. Mr. David Ely has worked at Champlain Valley Union High School in Vermont since 1979. During his tenure, more than 750 students have taken the national exam, with 98 percent receiving qualifying scores and 450 receiving a five.
These academic achievements are remarkable in and of itself. But it is what Mr. Ely chose to do with the award money that I think will touch the hearts of your readers. He gave it away!
For five of the past nine summers, Mr. Ely has trekked to Costa Rica with groups of up to 30 of his AP Biology students. As a biologist, he feels compelled to pursue biodiversity studies abroad, and serve the local community. This year, he traveled with family and friends to Kenya and visited three schools. When traveling, Mr. Ely makes a point to deliver necessary supplies to children, and this year, in addition to purchasing school supplies, he used his Siemens award money to give a most unusual gift to a school run by women disowned by their tribe " a cow. "In this part of Africa, wealth is measured by the number of livestock you own," says Mr. Ely. The school will receive the cow in the fall.
Attached to this email is a news release with more details about Mr. Ely’s award. We have pictures available at your request.
David Ely’s generosity and his accomplishments make for a great story. The 63 year old teacher has won numerous awards over the years including the Presidential Award in the Excellence of Science Teaching and the Distinguished Teacher Award White House Commission on Scholars. On a side note, you may be interested to know that Mr. Ely is the 15th child in a family of 18.
The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement are designed to promote excellence in math, science and technology education. The program celebrates high school students who excel in AP science and math courses, as well as teachers and schools who are leading the nation in participation and performance in AP science and math courses.
