GTE expands GIFT program for math and science teachers to five new states; increases grants to $15,000.

IRVING, Texas More teams of math and science teachers are eligible for bigger grants than ever before, thanks to GTEs expansion of its successful Growth Initiatives for Teachers (GIFT) program.

The GTE Foundation awards GIFT grants to teams consisting of one math and one science teacher from the same secondary school who have developed school enrichment projects integrating math and science and use technology in a creative way. GTE will award GIFT grants to 70 teams for the 2000-2001 school year.

Teachers in five additional states -- Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont -- are now eligible for the program, bringing the total eligible states to 40, plus the District of Columbia. Each winning team shares a $15,000 GIFT grant -- up from $12,000 last year. The teachers split $7,000 of the total grant for professional development activities, and use the remaining $8,000 to implement an innovative classroom project.
"We are pleased to expand the GIFT program to additional states served by Bell Atlantic, our partner in our pending merger of equals," said Maureen V. Gorman, vice president of the GTE Foundation. "We already offer the program in other parts of Bell Atlantics service territory as well as in states traditionally served by GTE.

"We believe this one-of-a-kind program significantly boosts teachers' enthusiasm for teaching and also increases student achievement by providing hands-on learning opportunities," Gorman said.

The GTE Foundation established the GIFT program to promote the integration of math and science in the classroom, to encourage the innovative use of technology in education and to provide recognition and new opportunities for outstanding teachers.

Grant recipients are chosen by a panel of mathematics and science educators under the guidance of the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N.J., and the GTE Foundation, GTE's philanthropic arm, which administers and funds the program.

A key component of the GIFT award is an annual seminar conducted in June in Boston, Mass., and Washington, D.C. During the week-long seminar, teachers attend presentations by noted scientists and educators, tour GTE Labs, and interact with GTE employees and government officials. All expenses are underwritten by GTE.

A complete list of eligible states, rules and applications are available online at www.gte.com/AboutGTE/community/gte_foundation/opportunities/gift.html. Interested teachers can also call 800-315-5010 or send e-mail to gift@gte.com. Deadline for submissions is January 14, 2000.

About the GTE Foundation

The GTE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GTE Corporation, is one of the largest corporate contributors in the United States, providing $30 million in 1999 to charitable and educational institutions on behalf of GTE and its thousands of employees. More information on GTE and the GTE Foundation is available at www.gte.com.

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