IRMO-Christopher Craft, a teacher at CrossRoads Middle, has been selected as a finalist for the 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards, sponsored by Time Warner Cable and Cable in the Classroom, the cable industry's education foundation.

The annual awards program, now in its fifth year, recognizes outstanding educators, administrators and other community leaders at the forefront of innovation in education.

Finalists are eligible for a national Cable's Leaders in Learning Award, which includes a $3,000 prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a June awards ceremony and luncheon in honor of the winners. The winners will be announced in May.

Applications were received from across the country for the 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards. Craft's is one of just 47 finalist applications selected from classroom educators, administrators, college faculty and community leaders nationwide.

Craft is being recognized in the General Excellence category for founding "Life 'Round Here," a global digital storytelling project designed to record the voices of students telling stories of what life is like where they are.

Each student writes their script and then records their story. The top six stories selected are published on a Web site for public viewing. Participating students come from classrooms all over the world.

"In an era where 21st century learning skills are crucial to young people becoming highly productive and responsible citizens, we are pleased to recognize individuals who have innovatively and creatively figured out ways to move closer to this goal," said Frank Gallagher, director of education and media literacy at Cable in the Classroom. "Craft's efforts are a prime example of the sorts of educational leadership and vision the cable industry is proud to honor."

Craft has had great success with his program. "In our world of globalization, students need to be familiar with other cultures and people," he said. "This project gives a voice to children around the world."

Source: midlandsconnect.com