I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Diane Fesmire, a teacher in Alamogordo, was one of more than 80 teachers from across the nation who won a 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Fesmire is the mathematics lead teacher at Sierra Elementary School in Alamogordo, according to a press release issued today from the office of Gov. Bill Richardson.
According to a White House press release dated July 9, winners of the Presidential Teaching Award receive $10,000 awards from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a White House awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.
“There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders,” President Obama said according to the release. “These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all.”
“I am honored to represent the elementary teachers of New Mexico, who teach all subjects well with a passion for math or science. This award belongs to my colleagues who teach students to reason, justify, and communicate,” Fesmire said in the release from the governor’s office today. “Most importantly, it belongs to the children of Sierra who believe in themselves, are willing to take intellectual risks, and show daily that perseverance starts when a task gets hard and stops when the goal is achieved.”
Richardson also had kudos for Fesmire, saying, “As I have said many times before, the key to a good education is a strong teacher and Diana Fesmire exemplifies the level of teaching that New Mexico students deserve.”
