[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

Microsoft announced its results of the Partners in Learning U.S. Forum, where 16 educators from California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Texas and Washington were selected as winners. The annual event recognizes innovative teachers and school leaders who creatively and effectively use technology in their curriculum. Out of thousands that applied, 100 educators from 25 states attended the event to compete for the opportunity to represent the United States at the Partners in Learning Global Forum this November.

The following are Partners in Learning 2012 U.S. Forum winners:

Collaboration

• First Place: Jamie Ewing; Mount View Elementary, Seattle, Wash.
• Runner-up: Julie Hembree; AG Bell Elementary, Kirkland, Wash.

Knowledge Building & Critical Thinking

• First Place: Jennifer Bevill; LSU Laboratory School, Baton Rouge, La.
• Runner-up: Cheryl Arnett and Melany Neton; Sunset Elementary School, Craig, Colo.

Extended Learning Beyond the Classroom

• First Place: Pauline Roberts and Rick Joseph; Birmingham Covington School, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
• TIE Runner-up: Sarah Collins and Jo Spark; Moody Elementary, Moody, Texas
• TIE Runner-up: Jolie Barker; Slaughter Elementary, McKinney, Texas

Cutting-Edge Use of Technology for Learning

• First Place: Robin Lowell and Sherry Hahn; Washington State School for the Blind, Vancouver, Wash.
• Runner-up: June Teisan and Alexandra Beels; Harper Woods Secondary School, Harper Woods, Mich.

Educator as Innovator and Change Agent

• First Place: Gregg Witkin; Boynton Continuation High School, San Jose, Calif.

Educator’s Choice

• First Place: Todd LaVogue; Roosevelt Community Middle School, West Palm Beach, Fla.

The winning educators will advance to the Partners in Learning Global Forum, which will take place in Prague Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. This ninth annual Partners in Learning Global Forum is the culmination of local and regional events that reach nearly 200,000 participants from more than 115 countries.