Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award
Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Application
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Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award
Celebrating GREAT teachers
Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award
About the Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award
The Dr. Vitt and Mary Ferrucci Distinguished Educator program was established to revitalize and update teachers’ math and science teaching methods and to help teachers adapt their methods to interest children in STEM fields. This program is administered and supported by WSU’s Department of Teaching and Learning; the recipient will work with one or more faculty members from the College of Education and project partnerships may also include researchers in the College of Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, and/or the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.
One outstanding science, mathematics, or technology teacher is selected each year. The application process is open to all K-12 educators in the state of Washington, including current WSU graduate students who intend to continue teaching in K-12 schools. Recipients are not required to be alumni of WSU.
The award must be used for the Distinguished Educator’s experience at WSU and any subsequent conferences, outreach, or meetings. This may include:
- A stipend for summer salary,
- Payment of tuition for a course of study at WSU,
- Materials or supplies for the Distinguished Educator to take back to his/her classroom and/or school,
- Travel to and from WSU,
- Per diem expenses while in travel status,
- Any combination of these or any other expenses designed to support the Distinguished Educator’s experience in updating his/her own knowledge or contributing to pre-service teachers’ knowledge related to innovative ways of teaching mathematics, science, or technology.
Ferrucci Winners
Introducing the Ferrucci winners
Here is just a sampling of some of our great Ferrucci winners of the past!
Past Ferrucci winners
Even though we honor someone new every year, we don’t forget those who already did a great job.
Ferrucci Award Winner 2023
WSU graduate student Megan McLean earns educator grant
The Washington State University College of Education has awarded a doctoral student a grant to help in her efforts to revitalize math, science, and technology education within her school.
In addition to being a student in the mathematics and science education program, Megan McLean is also a teacher at Lewis and Clark High School in downtown Spokane and will receive the annual Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award. The financial award covers project expenses in her efforts to transform the way students are assessed and graded, with a focus on providing meaningful feedback rather than deducting points.
McLean said key revitalization areas include the need to train teachers to adopt modern grading practices that emphasize feedback and learning.
“Many educators desire to provide students with the necessary feedback to learn from their mistakes and achieve mastery, but they often lack the knowledge, tools, and support to make this transition,” she said.
Ferrucci Award Winner 2022
The Washington State University College of Education has given two teachers its Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award.
Melissa Pearcy and Sarah Movius were both recognized for their work as outstanding K-12 science, mathematics, or technology educators.
The award has historically been given out once per academic year. But in a move that makes up for not awarding during COVID, the college gave out two awards this time. Recipients generally receive financial support to help cover project expenses.
Ferrucci Award Winner — 2019
Improving technological literacy among educators
By Hannah Schneider – College of Education
Technology can have a significant and positive impact in the classroom. But there’s a dilemma: Teachers not only need to get the technology into their classroom but they also need to learn to how effectively use it.
This is the challenge that WSU graduate student Mykala Anglin has embraced. She is determined to create content specifically designed to teach educators how to successfully use technology in the classroom.
Anglin’s advocacy for technology literacy is why she has been awarded the 2019 Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award from the Washington State University’s College of Education.
“There is so much about technology that teachers can benefit from, the challenging part is figuring out how to access these materials and learning how to utilize them in a classroom setting,” said Anglin, who is expected to graduate this spring with a master’s degree in special education.
Ferrucci Award Winner — 2018
WSU alumnus wins educator award for technology in the classroom
By Katie Merrick – College of Education
Technological literacy is not simply beneficial, but necessary. Access to technology is important for teachers to provide students with the ability to navigate the modern work environment.
Nicholas Rose is a West Seattle High School teacher, and an advocate for greater technology education. He has a noticeable desire to prepare students for life outside of his classroom.
This passion is why the ninth grade social studies and language arts teacher is the recipient of the 2018 Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award, which is given by Washington State University’s College of Education.
