Congratulations to Davila Middle School in Bryan ISD seventh grade science teacher Amanda Petty! Mrs. Petty was selected as one of just five teachers from across the country to receive a $60,000 CIA Mission Possible grant for new technology for the classroom.
"Anytime that we can get technology or experiences in a new way to reinforce concepts and ideas is going to work, so being able to bring in new sources of technology and new ideas into the classroom is always great," Petty said about the impact this will have on her classroom.
When asked what the award means to her, Petty said, it means being able to introduce even more technology and coding equipment to her students in a way that they can use in a future career.
Jennifer Tyrell, associate manager for ORISE that works with the CIA to operate the Mission Possible competition, said it was Petty's passion for her students and education that led to her being selected of all the teachers in the Southwest Region that includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Tyrell said the goal of the CIA Mission Possible Operation Advance Technology competition is to promote STEAM workforce development by giving the students experience with technology they can use in a future career, as well as helping develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem solving skills.
Each of the five selected teachers will receive 30 laptops with a charging cart and a prize package. Mrs. Petty said she plans to select the package that brings robots and more coding opportunities into the classroom. The new technology should be in place before the 2023-2024 school year.
Davila Principal Sara Rueda said Petty is always looking for ways to enhance the students' learning, and this award will impact more than 150 students who pass through Mrs. Petty's classroom each day!
Rueda called Petty one of her "silent tools" who is always looking for things she can bring to Davila students. Petty submitted her video application the final night of the competition after learning about it at a national conference for science educators in Atlanta.
