Columbia River High School’s Shana Ferguson is headed to Edinburgh, Scotland, in January 2019. Ferguson, a teacher librarian at River since 2014, recently was awarded one of 35 Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching grants. Recipients are chosen on the basis of academic and professional achievement and demonstrated leadership potential.

Ferguson applied for the Fulbright grant with the goal of creating curriculum that will empower students with media literacy as they navigate rapidly changing social media platforms. The curriculum, which she will develop over three months at the University of Edinburgh, will provide proactive support for many students and educators in the district and beyond.

“We live in globally connected community, and collaborating with teachers and students overseas presents a unique opportunity for our International Baccalaureate program at River and for our students in Vancouver Public Schools,” said Ferguson.

“This is exciting for you, and it’s exciting for us that we have you in our family of Vancouver Public Schools. We wish you so well,” said Rosemary Fryer, school board vice president, at the June 12 board meeting at which Ferguson was honored.

Ferguson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston; master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico and University of California, Berkeley; and a library media education degree from Portland State University.

Columbia River High School Principal Alex Otoupal and teacher librarian Shana Ferguson

From left: Alex Otoupal, principal, and Shana Ferguson, teacher librarian