Future science and math instructors attending NASA's 11th annual Pre-Service Teacher conference will get some valuable and true-to-life advice from one of America's finest and most recognized teachers, Jaime Escalante.

Escalante, 1999 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee, is the conference keynote speaker at 6:30 p.m. EST, Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va.

The conference was created to help undergraduates and aspiring teachers develop the confidence and skills to effectively teach mathematics and science using cutting-edge technology and educational materials only NASA can provide. Escalante will address more than 500 students and faculty from approximately 55 schools, representing 35 states.

The conference runs Feb. 16-18. Media interested in attending or interviewing Escalante should contact Natalie Friend at: (757) 869-5920.

Escalante, born in La Paz, Bolivia, hosts an instructional television series, "Futures," on PBS that introduces students to various math and science-based careers. It is the most popular classroom program in PBS history. It has been honored with more than 50 education and professional awards, including the highest honor in the broadcasting field, the George Foster Peabody Award.

The Pre-Service Teacher Program is a partnership between NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace. The Institute is a non-profit research and graduate education institute created to complement NASA's mission to conduct innovative research, develop new technologies, and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

For information about conference events on the Web, visit:

http://edu.larc.nasa.gov/pstp

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home

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