(Oklahoma City) -- Gary Hopkins, former managing editor of Weekly Reader, has accepted a position as editor-in-chief of Education World, an innovative new Internet Web site for educators.
Hopkins said he is eager to be educating through a medium as all-encompassing as the Internet. "Where else can you have such an impact on so many kids, teachers and parents?" said Hopkins.
The site, located at www.education-world.com, features a unique search engine with more than 50,000 links to education-related sites. In addition, Education World offers lesson plans, curriculum materials, discussion forums and monthly reviews of other educational Web sites.
"Every time educators visit the site, I want them to come away with an activity, an idea that's going to help make their lives in the classroom easier," explained Hopkins. "If they come away with useful ideas, they'll return again next week looking for more. And that's the bottom line - I want teachers to keep coming back to Education World."
Hopkins will have no trouble reaching teachers from his new position with Education World. More than 100,000 people visit the Web site every week. In addition, studies from the National Center for Education Statistics show that by the year 2000 more than 95 percent of public schools are expected to be wired for the Internet. This means the number of teachers online will continue to grow.
Hopkins joined Weekly Reader in 1989 as associate editor of the 2nd and 3rd grade editions. In 1991, he was promoted to editor of the 3rd grade edition and in 1995 promoted to managing editor of the 3rd and 4th grade editions. As managing editor, he planned, wrote and edited the magazine that reaches more than 1.2 million readers.
"Weekly Reader is highly regarded by everyone. I would like Education World to enjoy that success too," said Hopkins. As editor-in-chief of Education World, Hopkins will be responsible for all original content on the Web site including lesson plans and class projects, plus education news and information spanning all grades and subjects.
"We are excited to have Gary as part of our team. His experience and creativity add a fresh perspective to the site and help us meet our goal of providing educators with useful online resources," said Rob York, president of Concourse C, Inc., producer of the Education World Web site.
Although Concourse C, Inc. is based in Oklahoma City, Hopkins works from his home in Middletown, Conn. "Home" for Hopkins is the former Woodrow Wilson High School, now renovated into a 63-unit apartment building.
The veteran educator and editor began his career in 1974 as a third grade teacher in Middletown. In 1980 Hopkins moved his writing career to the business world, working for organizations such as 3M, Barclays Bank and Phoenix Home Life. He returned to education in 1989 as editor of Weekly Reader and began work with Education World in June 1997.
To review Hopkins' work, please visit the Education World Web site located at www.education-world.com. For more information about Education World or Gary Hopkins, please contact Dean Davison or Michelle Manuel at (816) 842-1500.
