“Montana’s students are truly fortunate to be led by such innovative, resourceful educators,” said Qwest Montana President David Gibson. “This year’s Qwest Teachers and Technology grant winners designed outstanding projects, and their students will reap the benefits.”

Gibson surprised the remaining three teachers with grant checks while each was teaching class.

• Sandy Woldstad, Judith Gap High School: $5,000 to purchase a high-tech embroidery machine and software to integrate math and state-of-the-art design techniques into the consumer science curriculum.
• DeAnne Weeks, Culbertson High School: $4,656 to purchase computers, software and audio-visual equipment to incorporate advanced media arts technology into business classes.
• Dennis LaBonty, Polson High School: $3,448 to purchase a computer, projector, digital camera and software to develop electronic media that promotes business opportunities on Montana’s reservations.

The purpose of the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program is to identify, highlight and recognize Montana K-12 teachers who are using technology in the classroom in new and innovative ways to improve student performance and to share this information so that others can do the same. The Montana Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE), which is part of the Office of Public Instruction, partnered with the Qwest Foundation to administer the grant funds.

Montana’s First Lady Nancy Schweitzer and Gibson previously announced the first three Teachers and Technology grant winners.

• Cathe Felz, Three Forks High School: $5,000 for the purchase of state-of-the-art AutoCAD software to teach design and drafting for high school students.
• Heidi Hersant Perkins, Belgrade Middle School: $3,448 to purchase a computer, projector and software to utilize Web-based mathematics material in the classroom.
• Martha Northway, Ennis High School: $3,448 for a computer, software and audio-visual equipment to provide advanced media art and video production training at the school.

About the Qwest Foundation:

The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12 education.