Dear Editor,

I would like to offer sincere congratulations to the entire faculty and staff of Spain Park High School. It is a huge honor to win a 2008 Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education, but I already knew Spain Park to be a world–class school.

I have gotten to know Spain Park’s excellence first–hand through the school’s participation in the Alabama Best Practices Center’s 21st Century Learners Project, which was launched with funding from Microsoft’s Partners in Learning program.

Here are a few examples of what makes this school stand out. Students in Erik Myers’ photography classes connected with students in other states to share and compare photos posted on a blog. Spanish students created Spanish-language books for elementary school students. English students used blogs and wikis to explore literature.

I hope everyone in Hoover and the Birmingham community recognizes what’s special about Spain Park High. These educators not only see the need for change, but they are doing something about it so their students will be prepared for college and the workplace.