2007 Gladys Roddenberry Graduate Fellowships for Teaching Excellence

The 2007 Gladys Roddenberry Graduate Fellowships for Teaching Excellence

The winners of the Gladys Roddenberry Graduate Fellowships for Teaching Excellence awards were honored at a reception at the University Center on September 13th. The recipients were awarded $3,500 to help defray the cost of credit or non-credit courses at the University of North Florida. They are: Kristen Geiger of West Jacksonville Elementary, Stephanie Edinger of Cedar Hilles Elementary, Joshua Freeman o Terry Parker High School, Melissa Herrera of Christ the King Catholic School, and Jerry Huylschult. Gilchrist Berg, benefactor of the project and President John Delaney attended to congratulate the students. Mr. Gilchrist Berg established the Gladys Roddenberry Fellowship in 1998. The award is named after a teacher Mr. Berg had as a youth who greatly influenced his life.

Kristen Geiger
Kristen Geiger is a fourth grade English/Language Arts teacher at West Jacksonville Elementary. Ms. Eckert is certified in Elementary Education. She has taught 4th grade, including mainstreamed exceptional students in a departmentalized setting. Ms. Eckert also serves as a teacher mentor for University of North Florida pre-interns and interns from the college of education.

Stephanie Edinger
Stephanie Edinger is a Pre-Kindergarten Special Education teacher at Cedar Hills Elementary School. Mrs. Edinger has chaired the Sunshine Committee and Safety Committee for School Improvement. Mrs. Edinger has worked in a self-contained pre-kindergarten setting and has worked as a support facilitator in first grade. She has served as a mentor teacher and support system for fellow teachers making a huge impact on students and faculty alike.

Joshua Freeman

Joshua Freeman is an English teacher and team member of the 9th Grade Learning Community at Terry Parker High School. Mr. Freeman facilitated the implementation of Keystone, a program designed to help students achieve success and chart a direction for their high school career and beyond. Keystone is a key component to the Duval County Public Schools High School Redesign.

Melissa Herrera
Melissa Herrera teaches Music and Spanish at Christ the King Catholic School. Melissa demonstrates passion for learning, enthusiasm for teaching, and a deep regard for her students; she constantly evaluates herself and her students to ensure performance is at the highest level possible. Melissa’s educational plan is to become a school principle and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership.

Jerry Hulshult
Jerry Hulshult has been working on his certification through the alternative teaching program. With many hours in the field he loves to teach math, and science, as well as the teaching methodology courses he took at the Galloway School. Standardized test scores have improved under Mr. Hulshult’s classroom instruction by several percentage points. The standardized test scores at his grade level have been recognized in the top 10% of the country.