For The Herald Bulletin

ARLINGTON, Va. — Pendleton resident Simone Kirby, a science teacher from Daleville Jr./Sr. High School in Daleville, has been named a science fellow by the National Science Teachers Association,, in partnership with the Amgen Foundation; Agilent Technologies Foundation; Astellas Pharma US Inc.; and Bayer Corporation.

Some185 new middle and secondary science teachers from across the country will take part as fellows in the 2008 NSTA New Science Teacher Academy.

Selected from hundreds of applications from across the country, the fellows will participate in a year-long professional development program established to help reduce the high attrition rate among science teachers new to the teaching profession.

One of three science teachers selected from Indiana, Kirby will receive a comprehensive NSTA membership package, online mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of Web-based professional development activities, including web seminars.

In addition, she will receive financial support to attend and participate in NSTA’s 2009 National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans.