Hillside Middle School Teacher Wins Samsung Technology Award for Innovative Teaching!

Sue Hannan

Hillside Language Arts Teacher, Mrs. Sue Hannan has been named a State Winner in the 2014 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. Her entry was chosen for its innovative approach to advancing interest in STEM among her students as well as making an impact in the Manchester community. In response to Samsung’s award notification, Mrs. Hannan, stated, “This is a unique opportunity for a Manchester school. We will be collaborating with students, colleagues, parents, community members and the media to create a project that spotlights the salmon release project, and will spotlight the health of the Merrimack River as well. While this will be a very involved project, it will assist students in concentrating their writing efforts into producing data analysis, integrating all subjects, and including many local and state standards for education. Students and community members will be involved in a service project that serves everyone.”

As a state winner, Ms. Hannan has already earned a minimum of $20,000 in Samsung technology for Hillside Middle School. Ms. Hannan will now go on to represent New Hampshire in the national competition where she will create a 2 – 3 minute video that brings her lesson plan to life, the opportunity to earn a 
larger technology package of $35,000 or $140,000 and a chance to come and present her story with other competing schools in March. If she is chosen as one of Samsung’s five National Winners, Mrs. Hannan will also be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. in April. Samsung’s award stated, “ Your commitment to your students and school, as well as to advancing STEM education, is evident through the great work that you are doing. Once again, congratulations on being named a State Winner!”

Brendan McCafferty, Hillside Principal added, “What an outstanding opportunity for our students! We are very proud of Mrs. Hannan's efforts to bring this prize and these opportunities to Hillside. We are very much looking forward to the project.”