Teachers Selected to Attend the National Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

  • 200 teachers from 50 states to participate in the math and science teaching academy
  • Academy’s graduates have benefited more than 175,000 students nationwide
  • ExxonMobil developed program to improve math and science education

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Two hundred grade-school teachers from across the United States have been selected to participate in the 2012 national Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, an innovative professional development program designed to enhance math and science teaching skills. This year’s national academy will be held at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The successful educators, who teach grades three, four and five, were chosen from more than 1,000 applications through the www.sendmyteacher.com website. 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 the participants.

“The academy invigorated me and reaffirmed my beliefs that students need engaging, interactive math and science activities,” said Nancy Meyer, a third-grade teacher from Burnsville, MN, who attended the national academy in 2010. “It gave me fresh ideas and new skills, and illustrated that when given the right encouragement, students are natural mathematicians and scientists.”

The academy is an intensive one-week, all-expense-paid professional development program designed to help teachers develop innovative math and science teaching skills. It was developed in 2005 when ExxonMobil partnered with golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, to launch the program with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions. To date, more than 3,000 teachers have been trained, benefiting more than 175,000 students nationwide.

An additional 400 teachers will be selected to attend similar programs in Houston and New Orleans later this year. For a complete list of teachers selected to attend the national 2012 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, visit www.sendmyteacher.com.

“We’re excited to announce the selection of the teachers today and proud to continue to impact the lives of tens of thousands of students,” Phil Mickelson said. “Through our involvement with the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, we’re able to help teachers continue to develop their methods to reach today’s youth and affect how they view math and science from an early age.”

“The company developed the program to support the vital role teachers play in ensuring students are ready to compete in the 21st century,” said Suzanne McCarron, Exxon Mobil Corporation's general manager of Public and Government Affairs. “The academy equips teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to create enthusiasm about math and science and help develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.”

The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is part of ExxonMobil’s long-term commitment to education. The company supports initiatives that encourage students to take an active interest in careers in the math and science fields, support the professional development of highly qualified teachers and promote involvement of women and minority students. In 2011, ExxonMobil and its employees contributed $120 million dedicated to education globally and $44 million to U.S. science and math education specifically.

Currently, U.S. students rank 17th and 25th globally in math and science, respectively, according to results from the 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment. Directly supporting teacher development in these subjects empowers them to be role models to students and advocates in math and science.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. In 2011, together with its employees and retirees, ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $278 million in contributions worldwide, of which $120 million was dedicated to education. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.

Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation

Phil and his wife, Amy, teamed up with the ExxonMobil Foundation to develop a new and innovative program to improve science and math education in elementary schools. The program -- The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy -- offers advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for elementary school teachers chosen from the communities around the country where Mickelson will be playing tournaments. Web site: www.PhilMickelson.com.

National Science Teachers Association

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

Math Solutions

Math Solutions, founded in 1984 by Marilyn Burns, has provided a wide range of professional development services and resource materials to more than 500 districts, in 47 states, helping more than 100,000 teachers and administrators across the country. Web site: www.mathsolutions.com.

ExxonMobil
Media Advisor, 972-444-1107

Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation