Describing himself as a walking, goal-setting, self-challenging optimist, Dennis Griner encourages students to constantly make commitments, and identify and act on important values, all things which were stressed to him in childhood through neighborhood and church mentors in the rural logging community where he was raised. From a math teacher who took him on his first trip away from home to the Seattle World's Fair, to a science teacher who encouraged him as an individual, and a pastor under whose guidance he found youth group leadership success, self-confidence and a purpose to serve, Dennis brings a vision for similar success to his students.

"I believe in students and their ability to achieve," this social studies teacher at Garfield-Palouse High School in Palouse, Washington, says. "When students are given the resources and a supporting mentor, stand back and watch out."

Resources, particularly financial, can be a challenge especially for the kind of small, rural school system in which Mr. Griner teaches. Turning to grant sources for his student programs, he has managed to secure nearly $40,000 since 1997, including awards from the GTE Education Technology Grant Program and the Bill and Melinda Gates' Teacher Leadership Project.

It is perhaps the grants relating to technology that have impacted his students the most, providing not only computers and printers but scanners and digital cameras as well. He and his students have put these items to community-based use, combining two of Mr. Griner's instructional passions. For example, his senior Current World Issues class recently completed a regional water aquifer study. As he explains, "The water level in the aquifer that supplies our community and the surrounding area has been dropping a foot and a half a year for the past several decades. My students have compiled information for a report presented to the school board in December. Gathering data from graduate research papers, government publications, community water records and the City of Palouse water manager, students used digital cameras, scanners and digital graphics software to compile the school board report. In addition to an oral report with each student having an assigned speaking role, a report in DVD format was produced, as well as the traditional written report documenting research procedures.

"I am confident," this 31-year educator explains, "that learning has taken place through such a project because students have been challenged to go beyond their level of knowledge and skill. Every student has an assigned role. The group was required to coordinate and depend on each of its members to complete the assignment. Student 'buy in' was accomplished through providing a real-life situation with an actual purpose and value in the their community."

One of his Mr. Griner's teaching colleagues cites his professionalism and creativity to be among his best traits. "He uses a variety of patterns of instruction, individual work, paired students, and often putting groups together for projects, giving students the means to learn and the skills to progress" she explains. "He also provides alternative teaching modes for students who may be auditory, visual or hands-on learners. Because of the background he has given them, they have acquired the means to succeed in their own lives, making it no surprise that his students enjoy his classes and are proud of their accomplishments."

And his principal marvels at both his management skills and the resulting product that comes out of his classroom. "Working within a 90-minute block period, Dennis possesses a unique ability to manage students' activities and merge their capabilities to produce quality products," this administrator says. "The quality of work accomplished in his classroom has been amazing to me. History projects laden with technology, audio-visual twists and competent student presentation skills are certainly a pleasure to observe."

Mr. Griner began teaching at Deary High School in Deary, Idaho in 1972 as a seventh-twelfth grade teacher of social studies and physical education. In 1981 he moved to Palouse to teach ninth-twelfth grade social studies and audio-visual communications at Garfield-Palouse High School.

He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Idaho and administrative certification from Washington State University.