2008 SIM Awards Video
Gordon R. Alley Partnership Award
Gordon R. Alley, one of the founders of the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning in 1978 when it was known as the Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities, was a master at mentoring the young and inexperienced assistant professors who were assembled to conduct the institute’s first research studies. He generously shared his expertise and time to enable others to reach their goals and taught that partnership is vital to successfully conducting large-scale research and development efforts. Dr. Alley passed away in 1997 as a result of a tragic accident several years earlier. To honor his legacy and ensure that the trail he blazed never be forgotten, we give the Gordon R. Alley Partnership Award to other professionals who contribute to the work of the Center in the same spirit. This year’s award honors Andres Henriquez, whose vision and gift for bringing people together have changed the adolescent literacy landscape. In the process, Andres has earned the respect and admiration of scholars, policy makers, and practitioners.
Click here for more information on Andres Henriquez . . .
SIM Impact Award
Without the teachers, schools, and administrators who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and give SIM a try, our efforts would be consigned largely to musty journals or seldom-visited bookshelves. These individuals and groups breathe life into our work. To express our gratitude, we bestow the SIM Impact Award on schools or school systems that have incorporated many components of the Strategic Instruction Model(TM) throughout substantial segments of their entire school or school system. Recipients of the award contribute significantly to the work of the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, strengthening SIM, enabling us to develop needed tools for educators, and ultimately leading to more effective instruction and better learning experiences for students. This year’s recipient is Alameda Unified School District in California. For 10 years, the district has nurtured strategic instruction, from small and isolated SIM “seedlings” to an orchard that now includes all of the district’s secondary schools. Though their work is not complete, Alameda stands as an exemplar of how a group of persistent and committed people can unite to bring about improved outcomes for schools and students.
Click here for more information on Alameda Unified School District . . .
The SIM Leadership Award
The SIM Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and excellent service to the Strategic Instruction Model(TM) by helping educators become strategic teachers and, as a result, students become strategic learners. Recipients are standout leaders in the SIM International Professional Development Network, sharing their energy and knowledge and inspiring their colleagues to greater achievements. We recognize their achievements, their courage despite adversity, and their unwavering belief in the power of individuals to join together to make a difference in the lives of students. This year’s recipients, Barbara Ehren and Joyce Rademacher, have each played vital roles in shaping the direction of research at the Center for Research on Learning and in leading the SIM Network toward ever-greater achievements.
