Peninsula College's Instructor for Prisons Hailed as 'Champion of Change' at White House
By Arwyn Rice
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama recognized Brian Walsh, director of corrections education for Peninsula College, as one of 10 “Champions of Change” in an hour long White House panel and ceremony Thursday. Brain Walsh / Image courtesy peninsuladailynews.com
“We are here to recognize people who are making extraordinary contributions to their communities,” Obama said.
The award was created through the ConnectEd Initiative to celebrate educators who are taking creative approaches in using technology to enhance learning for students throughout the nation.
The panel and ceremony was streamed live online on the White House website, and about 50 students and Peninsula College staff gathered in the student center to watch the panel and awards.
The president said that technology and the Internet are the future of education, but first, someone has to try different ways of implementing the tools.
“We’re learning from you, seeing what works, what makes an impact,” he said.
Before Obama spoke, Walsh sat on a panel with four other award recipients to discuss the challenges and advantages of introducing technology in the classroom.
