ILLINOIS "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" is Ball State University MAE in PHYSICS GRADUATE Kevin P. Murphy, physics and astronomy teacher at Lyons Township High School, LaGrange, Illinois, was named the 1999-2000 "Teacher of the Year" for the state of Illinois. Mr. Murphy received this award on October 16 when he was selected from the 12 finalists who were nominated for the Illinois Education State Board's "Those Who Excel" education award.

Mr. Murphy has been a teacher for 13 years. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1986. In the summer of 1993, he entered Ball State University's Teacher Updating/Retraining Program offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Over the next two summers, he concentrated his studies in the areas of methods of teaching science, content courses in astronomy, and courses in BSU's Professional Education Core.

In January of 1995, Mr. Murphy completed his requirements for the Master of Arts in Education in Physics by working with Dr. Jim Watson on a Research Paper entitled "Age and Training as Factors Affecting Alternative Conceptions of Physical Phenomena." His degree was officially awarded in May of 1995. In the fall of 1995, Murphy launched his own astronomy course at Lyons Township High School, a course that now averages 120 students per year. His "Under the Stars Night" is the most popular part of the course. On those nights he brings out 10 telescopes and provides students with activities that include the identification of stars, star magnitudes, and binary stars.

According to an October 17 article in the Chicago Tribune, Illinois State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenn McGee said, "Kevin sees himself guiding students on a hike. Some will keep up, some will shoot ahead, and some inevitably will fall behind. Kevin recognizes and believes his job is to make sure everyone reaches the final destination. He is a true teacher." As the "Teacher of the Year," Mr. Murphy will spend the 2000 spring semester speaking at Illinois teacher workshops, educational conferences, and community meetings. He will also represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, in the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastics, Inc.

Congratulations to Kevin Murphy, "1999-2000 Illinois Teacher of the Year."