Texas Computer Education Association Receives $68,600 Grant From Verizon Foundation to Expand Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers Across the State

The Texas Computer Education Association has received a $68,600 grant from the Verizon Foundation to continue to raise awareness about the free educational resources available on Thinkfinity.org and to train teachers to use those resources.

Thinkfinity.org contains tens of thousands of free, engaging educational resources that make learning fun, including lesson plans, in-class activities and educational videos that can be found quickly and searched by grade level, keyword and subject.

"Our children are growing up in the digital age, and online technology is playing a major role in how our children learn and obtain the skills to succeed in today's global society," said Carl E. Erhart, president of Verizon's Central region.  "Thinkfinity provides teachers with free, engaging resources to share with their students and to help foster their academic growth and development."

Through the grant, the Texas Computer Education Association will continue to offer professional development for educators across Texas so that they can locate and use Thinkfinity's resources; free train-the-trainer training that enables participants to become Thinkfinity field trainers at no cost to them; recognition programs; and networking opportunities through the Texas Thinkfinity Trainer Network.

The Thinkfinity resources are aligned to state and national standards and offer teachers - in elementary schools through high schools - resources across eight academic disciplines, from science to English to mathematics, to improve student achievement.

With the grant, the Verizon Foundation has now invested more than $200,000 with the Texas Computer Education Association to provide innovative online resources and professional development for teachers throughout the state.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####