Richard Anderson and Tony Ponce
El Camino Junior High School
Santa Maria, California

Richard Anderson and Tony Ponce have worked for years to implement their vision of a better future for their students through their career-oriented "Exploring Technology" program, which provides students with hands-on practical training, the opportunity to challenge themselves in new areas, and the increased self-confidence that comes through success.

"Our years of teaching at the junior high school level, combined with our years of being students, has taught us that there are two things that will excite students about learning: relevance to what is going on in the real world, and exposure to the many career opportunities that are available to them. We enjoy seeing students' eyes light up as they see the relationships of the math, science and language arts classes they have taken, and how they tie in with the various technology experiences that they enjoy in our classrooms."

Highlights:

• Together developed an "Exploring Technology" program to expand the horizons of their students at El Camino Junior High School, which has a high population of minority and English as a Second Language students, and to expose them to the high-tech careers of the future. The program, which grew out of a sense that a traditional industrial arts curriculum was not providing sufficient career development for their students, is designed to give students valuable skills in computer graphics, applied physics, architecture, electrical engineering, flight technology, robotics, multi-media technology and myriad other fields. The program focuses on projects that are self-directed and hands-on.

• Raised over $100,000 through grants and local business donations to fund the Exploring Technology pilot program. Three years later, the program continues to be funded largely through grants and donations.

• Have worked tirelessly for more than 12 years to bring the Exploring Technology education program to El Camino Junior High School. Conceived the project in 1987 and embarked on a long and initially fruitless effort to gain funding for the project, often purchasing technology equipment on their own with whatever resources they could find. Finally won the support of the School Board in 1995, and the program was granted partial funding in 1996. The program was first implemented in that year.

• A former electrical, electronic and nuclear engineer, has taught Industrial Arts, Math, Physical Education and Science. He has served as a mentor teacher for 10 years, and is active in Teachers Union Committees and activities. In 1999 he was awarded the Rotary Club Paul Harris Humanitarian Award (Anderson)

• A bilingual teacher and former architect, has taught Math, Social Studies, Industrial Arts and Technology at El Camino Junior High School. He has previously taught evening courses in architectural rendering and design at Allen Hancock College in Santa Maria. He was selected for inclusion in the 1996 edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. He is the recipient of the 1998-99 Santa Maria - Bonita School District Bilingual Teacher of the Year award and the 1999 Paul Harris Humanitarian Award. (Ponce)