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Teachers' pet project earns them a trip to D.C.

Bright House Networks honors several Citrus Springs Elementary School teachers with some star treatment during a two-day trip.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
Published June 17, 2005

Bright House Networks has named five Citrus Springs Elementary School teachers as "Star Teachers" and recently treated them to a two-day visit to Washington, D.C.

Kindergarten teacher Carla Eschen, physical education teacher Rich Eschen, third-grade teachers Suzanne Swain and Denise Langdon and music teacher Mark Garlock won the award because they developed a project, called "Ole Miercoles! The Whole Enchilada!" that lasted most of the school year.

The project included lessons from several cable television shows. For example, students watched Dora the Explorer on Nickelodeon in Spanish to improve their language skills. They watched Cooking With Kids, featuring chef Emeril Lagasse, to learn about taco preparation; they needed the skill to cook for the Spanish fiesta they held for the school's teachers, staff and guests.

Students also watched the Weather Channel and Univision programming in Spanish, viewed an ESPN2 program that featured a track star comparing measurement systems, and they watched the Discovery Channel to learn about rain forests.

The project culminated with the luncheon fiesta, which included Mexican singing and dancing and a performance that same evening for the school PTA. The students also performed at the school district's volunteer banquet.

The teachers were flown to Washington, D.C., and toured the city. They visited U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite and were treated to a banquet. They were given $1,000 to share, and each received a crystal star.

"We want to let teachers know we really do appreciate them," Bright House community affairs manager Edna Rohland said. "Our future is in their hands and we appreciate what they do.?

The teachers loved the trip, where they apparently were very pampered. "Going up to Washington just makes you feel very special," Carla Eschen said.

"No macaroni and cheese for two days!" Denise Langdon exclaimed. "It was wonderful!"

Rohland said her company will provide cable service free to schools in its service areas.

Membership in Cable in the Classroom provides more than 540 hours of commercial-free educational programming monthly.

"It's really a wonderful resource for teachers," she said.

For information on Cable in the Classroom, visit www.ciconline.org

[Last modified June 17, 2005, 00:34:18]