Teacher Mike Sterling uses the power of technology to help his sixth graders learn at Sand Lake Elementary School in Anchorage. He spearheaded the volunteer program that wired the school for Internet access and supports his teaching with technology that offers the greatest practical application for increasing student achievement. Mr. Sterling often engages students in learning about current, real-world issues, encourages them to publish opinion pieces in the Anchorage Daily News, and is himself a frequent guest columnist for the newspaper. Benchmark scores show nearly all of his students scoring "proficient" or "advanced" in writing and reading. He has had particular success in helping students with special needs gain in literacy skills. In addition to his work at Sand Lake, Mr. Sterling has taught English in a half-day immersion program for Japanese students, and participated as a consultant in the development of a fifth-year degree program for educators at the University of Alaska. As an educator, Mr. Sterling is worth his weight in gold.
