January 9, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567
Lynn Setzer, lsetzer@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6810

JEFFCO TEACHER ROCKS SCIENCE AWARD
​Green Mountain High School earth science teacher Jonna Gentry has been named the 2012 American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation (AAPG) Earth Science Teacher of the Year. 

The honor comes with a $5,000 prize from the AAPG Foundation to be split between Gentry and Green Mountain High School. 

Gentry instructs regular and honors level earth science classes and a beginning robotics class, which she said allows her to see the world from an engineer’s perspective.
“Being recognized for the time and energy that teaching requires is a great honor,” Gentry said. “This award is an encouragement that my hard work and passion for my career have been well worth the time.”
Gentry received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical science with a double minor in chemistry and biochemistry from Colorado State University. She also serves as a volunteer and on the board of directors for the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, CO.

Gentry also receives an all-expense paid trip to the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in Long Beach on April 22-25, where she will be presented with her
award at the All-Convention Luncheon.  A feature interview with Gentry will be published in the April convention issue of the EXPLORER.

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists nominated Gentry for the award. 

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