Terry A. Taylor school teacher
gets behind-the-scenes visit at Walt Disney World

Lee Cervini, a mathematics teacher from Spencerport, and a recipient of the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, is getting a rare behind-the-scenes peek at some of Disney's secrets for inspiring and educating young people as part of her tour at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Presidential Award, the nation's highest honor for math and science teachers, was given to Cervini with a citation from President George W. Bush commending her "for embodying excellence in teaching, for devotion to the learning needs of the students and for upholding the high standards that exemplify American education at its finest."

As part of her award, Cervini was given this opportunity to visit Walt Disney World with her fellow awardees to experience first-hand the Disney Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.). This series offers students the chance to go inside and behind the scenes of Walt Disney World theme parks to see how the principles they are learning in the classroom are making exciting things happen every day in and around the Disney Resort.

During her visit, Cervini will experience the Y.E.S. program's Backstage Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The goal of this program is to inspire students' active participation in the protection and preservation of wildlife and wild places. It also offers students a glimpse into zoological careers in education, training, animal husbandry and nutrition.

October 16, 2005