Michele Forman, 2001 National Teacher of the Year, is touring the state promoting education today through Feb.15. Ball State University is serving as her host.

"Michele Forman is eager to meet and discuss cutting-edge educational issues and to share personal and professional experiences that were recognized as being worthy of receiving the 2001 National Teacher of the Year Award," said Terry Wiedmer, educational studies professor who is coordinating Forman's visit.

"This is a terrific opportunity for our teaching majors to meet with her," Wiedmer said. "At the same time, we have an opportunity to share many of our outstanding programs here at Teachers College."

Forman, a Vermont public school teacher, was named the nation's top educator by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic Inc, the global children's publishing and media company.

She is the seventh consecutive award winner to visit Indiana as a guest of Ball State.

"Ball State students and faculty have been able to meet with several great role models over the years," Wiedmer said. "She is the kind of teacher every student strives to become."

Forman's visit begins today with a speech at Huntington College at 10 a.m. She will tour Indian Springs Middle School in Columbia City at 2 p.m.

On Feb. 14, she will meet with administrators and community representatives of the Henry County Youth Center, a nationally recognized program at 8:15 a.m., and then address the New Castle Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m.

Forman will also serve as a facilitator during discussion of strategies and successes by adult education teachers at St. Vincent's Hospital at 3:45 p.m.

Forman concludes the day by participating in a live program at 7 p.m. on WIPB-TV, Ball State's public broadcast station. She will discuss "High Stakes Testing, Parent Involvement, Global Understanding and the Need to Attract and Retain the Best and Brightest in the Education Profession."

Jim Davis, creator of the comic strip "Garfield," will host Forman at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 for a tour of the studios at Paws Inc. Her tour concludes with a visit of Muncie Southside High School at 1:15 p.m.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about Forman's visit, contact Wiedmer at twiedmer@bsu.edu or (765) 285-2871.)