KOLTER TEACHER NAMED NATIONAL STUDENT TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Maria Carandas, a recent graduate of the University of Houston, has been selected as the 2006–2007 National Student Teacher/Intern of the Year. The award is sponsored by the Association of Teacher Educators and Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. Carandas’ selection for this award was based on her academic résumé, classroom management skills, lesson plans, teaching portfolio and, ultimately, her promise to succeed as an educator.

Ms. Carandas is currently a second grade teacher at Kolter Elementary School. She also did her student teaching at Kolter, a TEA Exemplary school in HISD’s West District.  Kolter is a magnet school that specializes in the teaching of international languages.  Anita Shaffer, who supervised Ms. Carandas during her student teaching, describes her as an enthusiastic teacher with an ability to actively engage her students. Ms. Carandas will be recognized at the annual Association of Teacher Educators conference February 17–21, 2007. 

The National Student Teacher/Intern of the Year award recognizes an aspiring teacher who best demonstrates an outstanding ability to plan and develop instructional strategies that meet students’ needs. Candidates also must have a demonstrated ability to interact well with students, parents, faculty members, and school staff members. In addition, they must show growth through reflection on the teaching and learning process.

Founded in 1911, Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a dynamic learning community that is committed to recognizing excellence and fostering mutual cooperation, support, and professional growth for educational professionals. The Association of Teacher Educators, located in Reston, Virginia, is devoted solely to the improvement of teacher education both for school-based and post-secondary teacher educators. Visit www.kdp.org or www.ate1.org for additional information.