May 6--When Celeste Mullis retired from National Semiconductor after 20 years, she wanted to do something where she felt she really made a difference.

Last week, Summit High School senior Aaron Trask said she has. He honored Mullis as one of the teachers who had the biggest impact on his life at the Mansfield ISD Education Foundation's Academic Recognition Banquet, where the district's top 60 seniors attend with the teacher of their choice.

Trask, 18, doesn't exactly know what he wants to do yet, but he says he wants to study chemistry or chemical engineering thanks to Mullis, his Advanced Placement chemistry teacher. "She got me into it by making it fun," he said. Most seniors chose teachers from their high schools, but some recognized teachers from their childhood. Mansfield High senior Kara Phillips wanted to thank her kindergarten teacher Kelsey Brooks of Boren Elementary School. "I remember always looking forward to going to school and spending time with her every day," Phillips wrote in her praise. "Over the past 12 years, Mrs. Brooks and her family have continued to make a positive impact on my life." Teenage drivers Some parents are brave enough to teach their children to drive. Some are more comfortable paying someone else for the privilege. So which is better for the teen?

A study released last month by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University found that children taught by their parents or a nonprofessional are about three times more likely to be involved in serious traffic crashes and are more likely to have driving violation convictions, such as speeding. The Texas Home School Coalition disputes the study.

Members of that group point to research by Driver Ed in a Box, a company that sells instruction products, that says some parent-taught programs produce drivers who have a crash rate that is one-fifth the state average. Arlington students who want to get high school credit for driver's ed can register this month for the school district's summer course. It begins May 29 and runs through June 21 with morning or afternoon sessions. Cost is $310, but payment plans can be arranged. Students can register at their high school. For more information, call 682-867-7217.

------

Title: HONORING THOSE WHOSE LESSONS LAST A LIFETIME

Authors: Ayala, Eva-Marie Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX); 05/06/2007

Document Type: Article Accession Number: 2W62W6271884335

Persistent link to this record: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62W6271884335&site=ehost-live

Database: Newspaper Source This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Eva-Marie Ayala, 817-548-5534 Copyright (c) 2007, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas