UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 33, Page 11
May 25, 1995
Conrad Middle School praises UD faculty, staff involvement

     Several University faculty and staff members have contributed to
the award-winning Conrad Middle School's Linked for Learning program,
recently selected a 1995 Superstars! in Education winner in the
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce's annual recognition.
     Now in its third year, Linked for Learning is a state-of-the art
communication program that connects via electronic mail students with
mentors in the business, corporate and academic communities.
     Four Conrad teachers in the program, Jane Basara, Carol Hackett,
Effy Hatzopoulos and Elizabeth Ward, recently wrote to President David
P. Roselle expressing thanks for the "active involvement" of Carmine
Belascio, agricultural engineering; Robin Elliott, occupational health
and safety, Shiela Fees, physical education; Michael Keefe and John
Meakin, mechanical engineering; and John Madsen, geology.
     "They have given of their time to visit our classrooms,
interacted with students through e-mail and supported our efforts
through positive encouragement and helpful acts," the teachers wrote.
     The teachers gave special praise to Meakin, who they said, made
arrangements for them to access the Internet, and cited his
"participation and leadership as key factors in the program's
success."
     According to Ward, the goal of Linked for Learning is to teach
middle school students the importance of education to their futures by
exposing them to professionals in different fields. The students learn
firsthand what training and education their mentors needed, what their
jobs involve and how they achieved their current positions.
     In the Linked to Learning program, mentors first are invited to
come to the school and meet the students and talk to them about their
backgrounds and careers. During the school year, the students
communicate about various topics with them via e-mail.
     "Mentors are busy people and, thanks to e-mail, they can
communicate with students, according to their schedules," Ward said.
     For example, she said, during the year, her students were
learning about percentages. They sent e-mail to mentors asking about
the use and importance of percentages in their jobs. They received a
variety of answers saying how vital understanding percentages is and
why everyone needs to understand these concepts. Ward said the replies
made the math lessons more relevant to the class and helped motivate
the children.
     Thanks to modern technology, and team work and effort from the
academic, business and corporate communities, the outside world has
entered the classroom and broadened the horizons of students through
the Linked for Learning program, Ward said.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure