To: Dr. Kamil Jbeily
From: Peggy Carnahan
Re: Eight Annual Conference
Date: August 23, 2001

Congratulations! Kamil your leadership has made the Texas Regional Collaborative the most powerful form of science professional development in Texas. All of the South Texas Rural Collaborative teachers thought that the 8'h Annual Collaborative Conference was the most successful and interactive event to date. This conference (1) provided a balance of content and pedagogy for each of the Collaboratives, (2) recognized active members, especially teachers, (3) demonstrated the strength of partnerships and collaboration with science education, and (4) showcased the accomplishments of each Collaborative. What a major achievement for tne Texas science!

The honoring of science teachers has always been my favorite part at the annual conference. It is always emotional to hear how they have devoted their lives for the good of students and how many have taught in difficult situations with very limited resources. They are certainly the" poster teachers" for science education and science literacy. I was so proud that Carole Henry of Edgewood ISD could represent our Collaborative as an Outstanding Teacher. Carole's long time devotion to at-risk students has been a major focus of her life. Her recognition was written up in the university paper. Carole was both an under graduate and a graduate student of Our Lady of the Lake University. She just graduated from our Collaborative program in May 2001. The $500 award will certainly help her Edgewood students and teachers.

Because of partnership with the Collaborative, our center has been able to continually assess our needs and improve our goals. Our Collaborative started with a very small core of people who really believe in science teachers. We have expanded from four inner city school districts to twenty-two rural and small districts, where most do not have a science specialist to help teachers with professional growth. Our moving from one school district location to a small Hispanic Serving Institution located in the heart of the west side barrio in San Antonio has been a very positive change. The Integrated Science graduate program created four years ago, has graduated 22 teachers and still has 40 teachers in the program. Our involvement with the Collaborative has also helped us receive five Eisenhower Higher Education Coordinating Board Grants for science and mathematics. This July we were awarded a $2M NSF grant for Teacher Retention and Renewal. In this NSF program the current Collaborative members will be able to extend their leadership by mentoring induction science and mathematics teachers. All of these wonderful opportunities have been available because you had the vision and the ability to receive the support to nurture Texas science teachers. Thank you for your commitment and passion.

After being in science education for almost 40 years, I must say that my involvement with the Texas Collaborative has been one of the most beneficial and rewarding jobs in my career. Therefore to be recognized for "exemplary leadership of Project 2061 and commitment and support of the Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching"has been my greatest honor.

Kamil, thank you for all your help and support for science teachers and science education.