TH
ig r iLi e Paying It Forward Oct. 1, 2008
Volume 49 Issue 4 1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Doctor’s contributions in honor of former teacher add up to 10-year $100,000 education investment Kellie Petersen Editor-in-Chief
For 10 years, Dr. Donald H. Beisner has been paying back the contributrions made by his CFHS math and science teacher in an amount that has reached over $100,000. Over 50 years ago, Dr. Donald H. Beisner, MD, clearly remembers sitting in the classroom of Oliver (Bud) Eason learning about chemistry, physics, algebra, advanced algebra, trigonometry, analytical geometry, calculus and statistics, all of which were subjects that Eason taught. Now, Beisner chooses to give back to Cedar Falls High School through both a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant, both in honor of Eason. “Well, it was a way to say thank you,” Beisner said. Beisner also mentioned that he wanted Eason to be honored for being a good teacher. Eason, who is still teaching astronomy, chemistry and physics at Valley Lutheran High School in Cedar Falls, said that it is “quite an honor indeed” to be recognized for what he has done as a teacher. Eason’s CFHS teaching career spanned 40 years from 1952-1992. “He had the wonderful ability to reduce it to practical application,” Beisner said of the subjects Eason taught. Beisner mentioned that when subjects such as math and science are reduced to practical application students become more motivated to learn. To date, $50,000 in scholarships and over $50,000 in grant money has been given by Beisner in honor of Eason. The scholarship helps students interested in a career in math or science, and considers the math and science courses taken, grade point average, standardized test scores, need and an interest in a career in math or science as factors for determining the recipient. The scholarship covers $5,000 for the recipients’ first year in college. Interested students may obtain an appli-
Tyler Schaub Photos
At top, Dr Donald H. Beisner, MD, and former CFHS science and math teacher Oliver (Bud) Easton look on as sophomore Jacob Stoner titrates hydrogen peroxide during AP biology. Beisner’s 10-year grant in honor of Easton’s teaching impact have added up to over $100,000. The Eason Teacher Enhancement Grant has impacted many students like junior Ebony Kunkle (at right) over these 10 years. cation from a math or science teacher low and that the money has also been beginning in March, while the deadline used for teachers to take courses or atis usually in early April. Some past tend workshops that will enhance the recipients of the scholarship include: teaching of their subjects. Kevin Hancock (2008), Angela Stoss “Actually, that segment for me is (2007), Vivek Pamulapati (2006) and more gratifying because it makes the Morgan Troendle (2005). teachers lives easier,” Beisner said. In addition to the scholarship, $5,000 In addition to being used for new each year is given to the school as a technology and teacher courses and part of the Eason Teacher Enhancement workshops, the money from the grant Grant. This money is shared between is also used to fund student activities the math and science departments and that emphasize math and science, such is used to supplement the budget. as the robotics team. “Normal operating budgets do not The robotics team has received always allow for all infusion of new about $1,000 a year for about seven technologies, nor do most budgets pay years from the grant, and the grant is for teachers to take course work related one of the team partners. to their teaching. This money has given “Well, I think it’s a great thing that teachers resources beyond the basics,” we have that funding source at our science department head Lynn Griffin school to help out with student projsaid. ects like that,” said robotics coach and Griffin mentioned that the money physics teacher Kenton Swartley. from the Eason Teacher Enhancement According to math teacher Mary Grant has allowed teachers to imple- Staniger, Beisner’s assistance has also ment technology at a faster pace than greatly impacted learning in math. the normal operating budgets would al“Through the generosity of Dr. Beis-
ner, the mathematics department has been able to use state of the art technologies to increase student and teacher communication necessary for efficient learning to take place,” she said. The grant has funded the use of tablet computers projected through video projectors for added color, clarity, Internet access, DVD projection and file saving capabilities for students. “With the help of Dr. Beisner, I am able to practice problems with my students while facing them. They are able to see everything written on the board with no view obstruction. When class is over, I have a copy of all that we accomplished in class. Students may come in for help and view on the video screen the problems that they have questions about from our lessons. They are free to use the tablet computer,” Staniger said. “We can erase, rework, and print off notes from a study session or class without affecting the original document. My students can keep a copy
of our work. I have the capability to produce a PowerPoint with spaces for working through problems, enter data for one class and save as another file so my original PowerPoint is ready for my next class.” The math department has also recently been able to purchase state of the art graphing calculators that will give students many advantages for exploring and sharing their learning. Like the other grant recipients, Staniger appreciates Beisner’s generosity. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Beisner. Because of Dr. Beisner’s vision for the future and his financial support, we are able to accomplish many teaching and learning goals efficiently and much sooner than others,” Staniger said. Beisner emphasized the importance of education, citing that the general public takes for granted what teachers do. “I’m a firm believer that education is our infrastructure, not our roads and bridges,” Beisner said.