An Española Middle School teacher traveled to Tampa, Fla. to represent New Mexico and the District at the American Vacuum Society’s annual workshop.
Science Teacher Mariejune Abergos will join 20 teachers, from across the country, at the conference.
Abergos will work with other teachers to explore ways they could implement the technology in their respective classrooms.
“Luckily I was chosen to represent New Mexico,” he said. “There is one teacher from Oklahoma, one from Arizona and one from Texas. We will collaborate on the curriculum and figure out ways to use vacuum technology in our programs.”
Abergos, who is also the school’s Math, Engineering Science and Achievement sponsor, said he is looking forward to the workshop, especially since it will translate to much needed classroom equipment.
“I am very excited for the program to be able collaborate with these people — they are experts,” he said. “I am also excited to bring the knowledge and skills into our District because the program will also be donating AVS (American Vacuum Society) technology, which is about $1,400 worth of lab supplies and technologies that I can use in my science classes.”
Middle School Principal Julie Gutierrez said she is proud of the work Abergos does and is elated that he is representing the school and the District.
“I think we have a good set of teachers all around,” she said. “It is good to know we have enthusiastic teachers who are willing to go above and beyond.”
Gutierrez said the award could help dispel many of the myths people have about Española and its schools.
“I think it is important for the Española Schools because folks outside of the District always look at us for getting a bad rap,” she said. “We have a lot of dedicated students and staff in the District.”
Vacuum Society Education and Diversity Committee member Tom Christensen said Abergos was chosen through a competitive process that started with the local chapter sending a notice seeking applicants.
He said the technology is used in all sorts of everyday items from computer chips to door knobs. Many people who work with the technology are employed at places such as the Rio Rancho Intel Corp. computer chip plant or Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories.