Five Mat-Su teachers get BP awards

PALMER - Two elementary and three Valley middle school teachers have been named second-semester British Petroleum Teachers of Excellence, according to a press release issued by BP.

The five include Judith Anderegg, a fourth-grade teacher at Pioneer Peak Elementary School; Shelley Heiserman, who teaches sixth- and eighth-grade music at Colony Middle School; Dwight Homstad, a third-grade teacher at Butte Elementary; Joe Nolting, a math teacher at Colony Middle School; and Cheryle Smith, who teaches health and physical education at Wasilla Middle School.

These teachers have shown their true colors by their long-term commitment, work ethic and personal input, said Tom Gallagher, BPs community affairs director.

The BP Teachers of Excellence program honors 10 Mat-Su teachers each school year. Each teacher receives a $500 U.S. savings bond, a commemorative plaque and an invitation to tour BPs North Slope facilities, Gallagher said. One of these teachers is then chosen as BPs Teacher of the Year, which comes with a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture commissioned from Alaska artist Mary Regat.

Of Judith Anderegg, one students mother wrote: She makes the classroom fun, educational and energetic. She is truly exceptional!

A graduate of the University of Maryland, Anderegg went on to earn a masters degree in public administration from California State University and a masters degree in elementary education from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The past president of the Mat-Su School Board wrote of Shelley Heiserman: Any words you have heard to describe any teacher considered so far for this award, multiply them by 10 and you will have Shelley Heiserman described. Put another way, she is one in a million.

Heiserman received a full music scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado, where she graduated valedictorian of the class. Four years later she received her masters degree with a 4.0 GPA and has taught in the Mat-Su School District since 1983.

Dwight Homstads nominator wrote his altruism toward his community is over and above the ability to effectively teach and control the classroom and maintain the respect of his kids. That is no small feat today.

Homstad received his masters degree in education information technology from Western Oregon University with a 4.0 GPA and has taught in the Mat-Su School District since 1983.

Joe Nolting is a wonderful teacher patient and understanding, one of his students wrote.

He graduated with a bachelors degree in psychology from Bowdoin College in 1975 and went on to receive his education training and certification from Sheldon Jackson College.

Cheryle Smith takes the time to explain things to you if you dont understand them, one of her students wrote. She always gives us a chance to speak, another wrote.

Smith graduated with honors from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The BP Teachers of Excellence program is sponsored by BP Exploration (Alaska) and recognizes excellence in the classroom in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Fairbanks, Valdez, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula.