2004 Alumni Awardees
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Teacher Award
Susan Lynn GutierrezIn only 10 years in the field of education, Susan Lynn Gutierrez has set herself apart as a teacher of exceptional ability by actively engaging her students in historical inquiry and understanding and by engaging and inspiring her colleagues. Ms. Gutierrez was a middle school teacher and is now an administrative intern at the Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ms. Gutierrez began her teaching career in 1994 at Forest Hills' Central Middle School, where she taught history and social studies. She quickly emerged as a gifted educator who set high standards for all her students and was relentless in efforts to engage her students by making history tangible and meaningful. She established a grant-supported service-learning project with the Michigan American Legion in which her students were able to learn from and support veterans. Her innovative approaches also led to the creation of a Civil War reconstruction project in which her students experienced what life was like during that period. She went on to serve as chairwoman of the Department of Social Studies at Central, as well as serve a yearlong internship as assistant principal at the middle school. In 2002, Ms. Gutierrez was selected as Michigan's Teacher of the Year. That honor was only one of the many she has received, including the Michigan American Legion Teacher of the Year (2002), Forest Hills Public Schools Teacher of the Year (2001), and Delta Kappa Gamma Distinguished Educator Award (2003).
Ms. Gutierrez has a bachelor's degree in history from Albion College (1991), a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from MSU (1992), and master's degree in K-12 educational administration from MSU (2001).
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Teacher Award
Robert D. GrimmRobert Grimm has been a remarkable teacher for more than 25 years. His hands-on approach to the teaching and learning of science has made him a legend among his colleagues, and one of the most honored teachers in Illinois. Mr. Grimm is chairman of the Department of Science at William Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois.
Throughout his career, Mr. Grimm has linked the exciting scientific developments in society to the lessons he imparts to his students. Indeed, he is widely regarded for his commitment to partnering with industry. Because of his efforts, Fremd High School has established a close working relationship with Motorola, allowing students to experience science and technology outside of the classroom. In 1992, Mr. Grimm spent a year at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, marking the first time the lab had accepted a teacher on sabbatical to join the staff. His honors include the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (1991), Illinois Outstanding High School Physics Teacher of the Year (1984), and the Association for Science and Technology Center's Honor Roll Teacher (1993). He has received the Township High School District 211 Board of Education's Outstanding Achievement Award five times. For his distinguished career, Illinois honored Mr. Grimm as its Teacher of the Year in 2002.
Mr. Grimm has a Bachelor of Science degree with teacher certification from MSU (1978), a master's degree in educational administration (1981) from Northern Illinois University, and a second master's degree in education (1984) from Eastern Illinois University.
Outstanding Alumni K-12 Teacher Award
Eric Charles StemleTo those who know him, Eric Charles Stemle is the quintessential teacher. His career in the classroom has been characterized by an enduring passion for the English language and the learning and development of young people. Mr. Stemle is an English teacher at Green River High School in Green River, Wyoming.
Committed and always energized about teaching, Mr. Stemle has turned his classrooms in centers of discourse, learning and language. In his distinguished career, he has taught at the middle school and high school levels, as well as advanced students and those at needing remedial instruction. Through it all, he has always expected high achievement from his students, inspired them with his passion for the written word and respect for their views, ideas and insights. He began his teaching career as a freshman composition instructor at Navajo Community College in Tsaile, Arizona, in 1976. From 1977 to 1981, he taught language arts and American literature at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1981, he and his wife, Teresa, moved to Wyoming, where they have taught ever since. His honors are many. He was honored as Teacher of the Year twice at Lincoln Middle School and in 1992 was selected as Green River High School's Teacher of the Year. Students at Green River have selected him Favorite Male Teacher six times. In 2003, Mr. Stemle was honored as Wyoming Teacher of the Year. In addition, the NEA Foundation selected him as the Wyoming honoree of its Award for Teaching Excellence.
Mr. Stemle received his bachelor's degree in English with teacher certification from MSU in 1976. He also has a master's degree in English (1981) from MSU.
Distinguished Alumni Award
James A. BanksIn his accomplished career, James A. Banks has been a leader in higher education whose pioneering research in multicultural education has yielded profound insights into a vital realm of teaching and learning. Dr. Banks is the Russell F. Stark University Professor and director of the Center for Multicultural Education at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Dr. Banks began his career in 1969, when he joined the faculty at the University of Washington, Seattle. He soon developed a reputation as an important researcher in social studies and multicultural education. His scholarly and professional work led him to develop the five dimensions of multicultural education, which include such things as the integration of minority groups into the curriculum, teaching methods, and the reduction of prejudice in the classroom. In 1991, he launched the Center for Multicultural Education, which focuses on research designed to improve practice relating to equity issues, intergroup relations, and the achievement of students of color. He has served as president of AERA, and in 2000 was elected to the National Academy of Education.
Dr. Banks has been widely lauded. He received the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Research Review Award in 1994, and the Distinguished Career Contribution Award from the AERA Committee on the Role and Status of Minorities in Educational Research and Development in 1996. He also has received honorary doctorates from the Bank Street College of Education, the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the University of Wisconsin, Parkside, and DePaul University.
Dr. Banks received his bachelor's degree in social science and education from Chicago State University in 1963. He has a master's degree (1967) and a Ph.D. (1969) in social studies education from MSU.
