One Special, Special Education Teacher Receives Mensa Foundation Award

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, October 26th, 2012 — Arthella Starke of Sherwood, OR. received the Mensa Foundation’s 2012 Distinguished Teacher Award. Starke, a Special Education teacher at Sherwood High School was nominated by the parent of a student.

“I have heard that when raising a child there is no such thing as quality time, there is just time. No one in our public school district was giving my son the time he deserved,” Amy Vincent, Starke’s nominator, said.  “Then, as he entered high school, we met Arthella. Everything changed. She created time to advocate for my son and myself to optimize his educational experience. She gave my son the time no one else had and she gave me hope.”

“Special education is very near and dear to Mensans, so being able to award Ms. Starke is a true honor” said Dave Remine, President of the Mensa Foundation. “The dedication she shows her students and their families is something not only educators, but, we as people, should learn from.”

Starke is a Special Education teacher who truly understands the importance of her role in today’s society. “I was determined to make things better. School is supposed to be a good place, and parents aren’t supposed to dread meeting teachers,” said Starke.

The Mensa Foundation’s Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes a teacher, professor, or instructor at any educational level who’s had an especially positive influence on the education or life of a Mensa member. The educators can impact the Mensa members directly or as a result of their influence on the education of a family member. The teacher selected is presented with a plaque and a cash award from the Mensa Education & Research Foundation. The corresponding school also receives a plaque. Previous winners can be viewed by visiting www.mensafoundation.org/distinguishedteacher.

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The Mensa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on intelligence and giftedness in the community at large. It's mission supports two of the three stated purposes shared by all Mensa organizations, to identify and foster intelligence for the benefit of humanity and to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence. The Mensa Foundation pursues these goals, in partnership with American Mensa and/or Mensa International where appropriate, with resources donated by Mensans and non-Mensans alike and aspire to use the intelligence of Mensans and non-Mensans to make the world a better place. For more information about the Mensa Foundation, visit mensafoundation.org or call (817) 607-5577.