| Congratulations to the 2009 winners: |
| Katherine Krohn - University of Tennessee ($1,000) |
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Katherine comments, "Thank you, Golden Key! I am honored to receive the Education Achievement Award scholarship. I must thank the School Psychology faculty at the University of Tennessee for their encouragement and for the strong teaching and leadership I have experienced. Studying the fields of education and psychology and subsequently providing effective services to children and families is the most rewarding career I could imagine for myself. I appreciate the scholarship funds to propel me further into my studies and practical experiences. I intend to use the funds to support my travel to professional conferences, textbook purchases, and various activities that will facilitate my training in areas of great personal interest (e.g., autism assessment and intervention; college teaching). Beyond the financial backing, I feel very lucky to be recognized as a Golden Key award recipient." |
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| Patricia Palko - University of Colorado-Denver ($1,000) |
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Patricia comments, "Winning the Golden Key Education Achievement Award means so much to me. Due to tough economic times and a lack of research monies in higher education, some of my research has been unfunded. In order to pursue my degree, I have been paying for the difference, which has been difficult to achieve since my husband became one of the millions of unemployed. Therefore, I will utilize the Education Achievement scholarship to continue my dissertation, investigating and improving high school biology teachers’ understandings of evolution. Since most Americans do not matriculate from college, high school biology teachers probably present the last, and sometimes only, introduction to evolution that most people receive. Therefore, sound evolutionary understanding on the part of instructors is vital to promote learning of the topic in students. Besides helping to support this research, the award has also reinforced a valuable life lesson: continuing to pursue my goals despite any hurdles I may encounter." |
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| Benjamin Malcolm - American University ($1,000) |
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Benjamin comments, "I am grateful to have been chosen as the third-place recipient of the Spring 2009 Golden Key Education Achievement Awards. My scholarship award will help fund my teaching practicum this fall in my third and final year as an American University MFA creative writing graduate student. The scholarship also gives me a very real sense of validation, an acknowledgment of my efforts and sacrifices as a non-traditional, returning student. Thank you for this recognition and the financial help." | |
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