SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2007--The Qwest Foundation today announced the donation of $50,000 to the Utah State Office of Education to fund the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program.

The Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program is designed to recognize and reward public school teachers who use innovative technology in the classroom to improve the education experience for students. The Qwest Foundation provided a $900,000 donation that helps fund innovative technology grants so that individual teachers in 14 Western states, including Utah, can improve education in the classroom.

"These teachers are doing a wonderful job helping students become familiar with technology," said Jerry Fenn, Qwest president for Utah. "My hat is off to educators who think outside the box and help make technology relevant and exciting. Qwest is proud to work with the Utah State Office of Education to fund this grant and help open the technological door in our schools."

"Teacher use of technology in the classroom is essential -- not only for keeping Utah's students up to date but in reaching our new technology-savvy students," said Utah State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington. "We thank our partners at Qwest for helping us recognize teachers who make good use of classroom technology."

The grant is being shared by 21 winners of the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program. The teachers, from seven different counties -- Box Elder, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Juab, Sanpete and Washington -- will receive an average of $2,500.

About Qwest Foundation

The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12 education.

About Utah State Office of Education

The Utah State Office of Education supervises Utah's public education system, which includes more than 500,000 students in 40 school districts and 53 charter schools.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Qwest Foundation

Qwest Foundation

The Qwest Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers and the communities we serve. It's more than just caring; it's a commitment to making a difference. The Qwest Foundation awards grants that generate high impact and measurable results through community-based programs in the area of pre-K through 12 education. We encourage you to learn more about the Foundation and request funding for your program. Qwest® is a leading provider of voice, video and data services across America and the world. For more than a century, homes and businesses have relied on our dependable dial tone connection. We value the strength and vitality we help bring to the communities where we live, work and play-through tens of thousands of volunteer hours donated by employees and retirees, our foundation contributions and numerous other avenues. In communications and community, our goal is to lead.

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