COMMERCE, Texas - The third year of Project STEEM at Texas A&M University-Commerce has kicked off with the public school teachers participating in the science, math, and technology program on campus for a luncheon.

"This grant has served over 45 rural northeast Texas school districts in the last two years and impacted a lot of kids," said Dr. Kerri O'Connor, program director.

The program is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Greater Texas Foundation. "I applaud you for what you have accomplished," said Dr. John Moss of the Greater Texas Foundation.  "The future is in math, science, and technology related areas."

Teachers and six students from rural school districts will work as teams in the X-TEEMS Academy summer camp, set July 20-31 at A&M-Commerce. The goal is to enhance students' math, science, and
technology skills and encourage them to attend college.

Teachers selected for X-TEEMS are Jenny Haggard of Community
High School and Carolyn Trimble of Community Middle School, Melanie
Williams and Jamie Williams, both of Wolfe City Middle School; Teresa
Bussell of North Lamar High School and Eric Lovelace of North Lamar
Middle School; Melanie Marsh of Lone High School and Robert Whitehead of Lone Oak Middle School; and Kimberly McGahee and Susan Bigham of Edgewood High School.

Also Rose Gardner of Campbell Middle School and Matt Davenport of Campbell High School; Rachel Davis of Princeton Middle School and Nichole Powell of Princeton High School; Lisa Arriage of Anna Middle School; and Neal Stellplug of Anna High School.

Also Paige Wilt of Grand Saline Middle School and Sherrie Wells of Grand Saline High School; Brian Hicks of Bells High School and Vicki French of Bells Middle School.

School districts participating in X-TEEMS are Anna, Bells, Campbell, Community, Edgewood, Grand Saline, Lone Oak, North Lamar, Princeton, and Wolfe City.