This week’s One Class at a Time recipient is Helena High School chemistry teacher Jamie O’Malley.
O’Malley is working on getting her students more engaged in scientific literacy.
Justin Wigen from First Interstate Bank was joined by KXLH to surprise O’Malley in her classroom with a $250 check.
The money from the grant will be used to purchase a set of “Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World.” The book shows real world examples of chemistry at work by actual chemists.
O’Malley acknowledges the standard chemistry textbook can be dry and hard for some students to connect with.
“When I bring in these real world reading examples the kids get excited. They want to read more — they actually ask if they can read more, which has never happened to me before with a chemistry textbook,” said O’Malley.
O’Malley added she is grateful for the grant and the support One Class at a Time has provided to educators in the community.
For more than a decade, First Interstate Bank and MTN have partnered for the One Class at a Time grant.
The mission of the grant is to foster educational opportunities for local teachers and students.
A panel of retired teachers and school officials select the grant recipients from a pool of submitted applications.
For more information about One Class at a Time, including how to apply, visit here.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
