AAFCS 2011 National Teacher of the Year Sharon Baillie, CFCS (center) of Burgettstown High School, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with her students (L to R): Riley Moore, Deena Mehlmauer, Colleen Maltony, Manny McClain, and Dakota Smith

(Alexandria, Va. – May 3, 2011)—On National Teacher Day, May 3, Sharon Baillie, CFCS, of Burgettstown High School in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, was officially named the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) 2011 National Teacher of the Year. A representative from Goodheart-Willcox Publisher will recognize Baillie as the National Teacher of the Year at the AAFCS 102nd Annual Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23. Baillie will receive a plaque, $2,500, and $1,000 towards one year of membership and participation in the Annual Conference & Expo.

The AAFCS National Teacher of the Year award honors exemplary teachers who utilize cutting-edge methods, techniques, and activities to provide the stimulus for and give visibility to family and consumer sciences (FCS) elementary and secondary education. Each AAFCS affiliate selects its Teacher of the Year and the winning affiliate entries are submitted to AAFCS for the national competition. From the Affiliate Teachers of the Year, up to three merit finalists and one National Teacher of the Year are selected.

The National Teacher of the Year nominations are evaluated based upon the following criteria: integration of FCS with the core academics and educational standards; exemplary level of professional commitment to FCS; goals and outcomes of the program; sustainability of the program; creativity, innovation, and progressive techniques in the program; ability to sustain funding and overcome obstacles or challenges; positive influence on the lives of students; relevancy and timely impact on the students, school, and community; and increasing the visibility, recognition, and support of the FCS profession within the community.

"I am truly honored to be recognized as the AAFCS National Teacher of the Year," said Baillie. "This has been a team effort with my students, administration, colleagues, parents, and community. The idea for the Healthy Living program came from the students when we were undergoing renovations and curriculum updates five years ago. The program has grown each year as more activities are included."

Since 2007, Baillie has been bringing nutrition knowledge and skills to K-12 students through her leading-edge Healthy Living program. Her program is consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA Food Guide Pyramid and meets the 28 Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for food science and nutrition for K-12. All of the Foods and Nutrition middle and high school classes are at maximum enrollment, including the two additional sections for Foods that were added for the 2010-11 school year to meet increased demand.

In Baillie's classes, students participate in a number of hands-on activities and projects that not only help them learn about food and nutrition, but also reinforce science, math and language arts skills. For example, Baillie obtained a Great Grow Along kit with lab rats, cages, and a curriculum to demonstrate the differences in growth between a diet with milk and a diet with a sugar-water substitute. Students collected growth and weight data for each rat as the diets were varied to include nutrient-rich foods the students were trying in the Foods class. Students were able to see the effects on hair and skin of soda compared to milk in the rat's diet. The students created graphs to record differences in growth and weight as proteins were added to the diet, applying scientific measurement and math skills. In their final reports, students evaluated how diet affects growth and health, which reinforced the students' compare and contrast abilities in language arts.

To incorporate the use of technology and provide fun, on-demand learning resources for elementary school students, Baillie asked her high school students to create "glogs" and podcasts on food and nutrition topics. Students used "Glogster" to create an interactive webpage for each elementary grade level with links to food and nutrition-related games, videos, and information. To see the glogs, visit www.burgettstown.k12.pa.us/72517082681621/site/default.asp. Additionally, high school students wrote, recorded, and posted podcasts on food and nutrition topics for elementary school students: www.burgettstown.k12.pa.us/72517082681621/podcasts/browse.asp?A=399&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=5676. They also created brochures for their podcasts and QR codes for smart phone access.

Another important component of Baillie's classes is collaborating with school and community members to host a Healthy Living Fair, sponsored by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). FCCLA members and Foods students help with the fair by setting up, cleaning up, decorating, and making healthy snacks for all to try. They also escort the elementary classes and assist the teachers with students' participation in the activities. The fair has booths staffed by various community groups, such as the police department, mental health department, teen outreach, and yoga center, and activities such as, "Ask a Dietitian" and Curves. The next fair is scheduled for Fall 2011.

A parent of one of Baillie's students expressed her gratitude for the positive impact her classes have had on their family, "From learning about nutrition and a balanced diet, my daughter managed a healthy weight loss of 30 pounds, over six months. She learned to read labels, evaluate fresh and canned vegetables, and lead our family into sharing healthier menus. I have noticed how this makes my daughter feel healthier, and how it shows in her appearance, morale, and self-confidence."

Sharon Baillie is an Avella, Pennsylvania, resident and member of AAFCS, Pennsylvania Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (PAFCS), and National Education Association, just to name a few. She is also a faculty advisor for FCCLA and 4-H. In addition to the AAFCS National Teacher of the Year award, Baillie has been recognized as a PAFCS Teacher of the Year, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6553 Voice of Democracy Teacher of the Year, and Girl Scouts Outstanding Volunteer.

About AAFCS
Based in the Washington, D.C., area, AAFCS is the only professional association for family and consumer sciences students and professionals from both multiple practice settings and content areas. For more than 100 years, AAFCS has focused our mission on providing leadership and support for professionals whose work assists individuals, families, and communities in making more informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. Our members provide research-based knowledge about the topics of everyday life, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues. They are early childhood, elementary, secondary, university/college, and Extension educators, administrators and managers, human service professionals, researchers, community volunteers, business people, and consultants who create integrated solutions to complex social and economic challenges.

Interviews/Quotes
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4613 or gmason@aafcs.org.

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