George Lucas Educational Foundation Introduces Faculty Associates Program; Noted Education Experts Named to GLEF's Panel

4/28/2004

From: Diane Demee-Benoit, 415-662-1600 or diane@glef.org, or Marian Shaffner, 415-662-1600 or mmshaffner@glef.org, both of The George Lucas Educational Foundation

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 28 -- The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF), a nonprofit operating foundation dedicated to documenting and disseminating the most innovative models of K-12 teaching and learning in public schools, today announced the formation of its Faculty Associates Program, an ongoing project designed to expand its national and regional involvement. GLEF Faculty Associates will be a nationwide network of education professors, instructors, and other education professionals who incorporate GLEF's documentary films, Web site ( http://www.glef.org ), and other materials in courses and trainings for educators and the larger public.

Sandy Mittelsteadt, National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC), Washington, D.C.; Chris O'Neal, state director, Virginia Initiative for Technology and Administrative Leadership; and Dr. Joyce Pittman, assistant professor of Education, University of Cincinnati, are among the nationally recognized education experts selected to join the GLEF Faculty Associates roster.

Participation in the program is by invitation from GLEF. "GLEF has chosen these inspirational leaders to showcase 'best practices' in education in the Digital Age as they represent GLEF throughout the country through this honorary designation. These accomplished individuals share our conviction about improving our schools through project-based learning in classrooms, by developing skilled educators, and supporting involved communities. We are excited about their participation and look forward to developing a robust Faculty Associates Program," said Dr. Milton Chen, executive director of The George Lucas Educational Foundation.

GLEF Faculty Associates are incorporating GLEF multimedia materials in their own courses and workshop presentations, as well as training other education faculty and trainers. They will participate in educational conferences, classroom workshops and informational meetings, discussing current research and highlighting GLEF's educational resources during the two-year commitment. The program has a special focus on sharing GLEF's vision and materials in schools of education to reach the next generation of teachers and administrators.

Additional education experts participating in the GLEF Faculty Associates program include:

-- Tony Bencivenga, principal, Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Ridgewood, New Jersey

-- Peggy Benton, associate professor of Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California

-- Mimi Gilman, educational technology consultant and Lesley University Online Instructor, Saratoga, Wyoming

-- Patsy Lanclos, educational technology consultant, Houston, Texas

-- Tamara Lopez, coordinator, RETA Regional Resource Center, Northern New Mexico Community College, Espanola, New Mexico.

-- Rita Oates, president, Rita Oates, Inc., Miami, Florida

-- Jim Osterberger, Clarke College, Loras College and Office of Educational Services for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa

-- Barrie Jo Price, consultant/professor, EmTech Consulting/University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

-- Susan Tidyman, state and regional coordinator, Career Academy Support Network, University of California at Berkeley

Plans call for a second group of Faculty Associates to join the program in the fall of 2004. Support for the GLEF Faculty Associates program has been generously provided by Tiffany & Co.

About The George Lucas Educational Foundation

The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF), established in 1991, is a nonprofit operating foundation that promotes innovative efforts to improve K-12 education through documenting and disseminating success stories on the integration of creative uses of technology with effective teaching and learning. It serves this mission through the development of media -- from films, books, and a magazine, to CD-ROMs and DVDs. GLEF's award- winning Web site contains all of its multimedia content published since 1997. For more information about GLEF, please visit http://www.glef.org.