The ARRL is pleased to announce the addition of two new instructors to the ARRL Teachers Institute staff this year. "For the first time this year, the ARRL Teachers Institute will offer 72 teachers the opportunity to explore and experience wireless technology basics, teaching of basic electronic concepts integral to micro controllers and robotics, bringing space technology into the classroom, radio astronomy basics, building a radio telescope, building and programming a robot and more," said ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "In past years, Mark Spencer, WA8SME, taught each course, but this year, he will have a little help." In past years, the ARRL Teachers Institute was limited to 48 teachers.

Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, was first licensed as a Novice in 1976 and learned about electronics by building a Heathkit; he upgraded to an Amateur Extra class license in 2002. Enriquez teaches mathematics, statistics and psychology at Pueblo High School in Tucson, Arizona, and has 10 years of experience teaching at the community college and university levels. In 2005, Enriquez established an Amateur Radio club at Pueblo High School. Through donations of equipment and support from individuals and ARRL, the club grew to 26 members and five licensed students exploring satellite communications, ATV, robotics, HF, EchoLink and weather satellite imagery.

Nathan McCray, K9CPO, is a sixth grade teacher at East Elementary School in Zion, Illinois where he has integrated Amateur Radio, electronics and robotics into the his science and math curriculum. McCray's knowledge areas include electronics, computer programming, communications, Amateur Radio, computer systems, leadership and teaching. His background includes instruction at the community college level, as well experience as a senior instructor at a US Navy technical school. McCray has been licensed for 24 years and holds an Amateur Extra class license.

Enriquez and McCray will each co-teach a Teachers Institute session this summer with lead instructor Mark Spencer WA8SME. They are expected to take on lead instruction responsibilities in 2009. Six Teachers Institute sessions will be offered in 2008: April 7-10, Tampa, Florida, Museum of Science & Industry; June 16-19, Rocklin, California, Parallax Facility; June 25-28, Tucson, Arizona, Pueblo Magnet High School; July 14-17, Dayton, Ohio, P&R Communications; July 28-31 and August 4-7, Newington, Connecticut, ARRL Headquarters.