Hoopa receives Amgen Award

Hoopa science teacher gets national awardComing out of the Humboldt State University teaching credential program, Brian Hopper barely found a job. Six years later, his work at Hoopa Valley High School has garnered him a national award for science teaching excellence.

Biotechnology giant Amgen recently announced that Hopper is one of six California teachers--and only 34 throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada--to receive the company's annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence. The award comes with $10,000 in grant money, which Hopper said he is busily trying to figure out exactly what to do with.