Last week’s annual Educator of the Year awards affords an opportunity to get a snapshot of some of the unusually-cool things about Columbus City Schools. To be sure, the evening’s main event was centered around honoring educators who have inspired peers and administrators. But the program leading up to the awards highlighted the works of the districts’ accomplished students.
Opening the event was a sweet-voiced choir from Gables Elementary. After that came a exhibition from Downtown High School’s law enforcement students under the leadership of Commander John Moore: the demonstration featured a team of students from all ethnicities executing drills together with jaw-dropping synchronous precision.
And the winner of this year’s district Poetry Slam, Sara Abou Rashed from Centennial High School, performed her piece that honored her background as an immigrant from Syria.
The event itself celebrates excellence in educators at CCS. The winners are nominated by administrators, parents and colleagues. Regarding the educators, Coordinator and President of the Columbus Council of PTAs, Lolita Augenstein said, “There are so many special educators who do so much. They’re teaching real life and social skills, while also teaching subjects. They’re teaching non-verbal kids how to communicate or helping a student get to the bus or class; they’re communicating with parents when their kids can’t.”
This year’s winners are:
- Andrew Bloom – Starling STEM PK-8
- Nick Brandt – Dominion Middle School
- Andrea Branham – Liberty ES
- Kristin Brant – Georgian Heights Alternative ES
- Vicky Buck – Burroughs ES
- Jeramie Carter – Columbus Preparatory School for Boys
- Sandy Craig – Yorktown MS
- Amanda Eakins – Como ES
- Mona Glenn – Alpine ES
- Sue Gorslene – Burroughs ES
- Jane Guagenti – Starling STEM PK-8
- Jennifer Halliday – Georgian Heights
- Matthew Hawkins – Northland HS
- Tahnda Hawkins – South 7-12
- Pamela Eberhardt-Horton -South Mifflin STEM Academy
- Traci Johnson – Independence HS
- Lindsay Brehm Liskosziak – Johnson Park MS
- Jennifer Longo – Mifflin MS
- Kimberly Massey – Ohio Avenue ES
- Deborah Matan – Columbus Global Academy
- Susan McGeean – Hubbard Mastery School
- Nancy Moreland – Cedarwood Alternative ES
- Amber Nash – Scottwood ES
- Sara Penny – Centennial HS
- Jacqueline Pisauro – Medina MS
- Marissa Poe – Starling Stem PK-8
- Nicole Robinson-Cobbs – Stewart ES
- Cynthia Rothacker – Whetstone HS
- April Salyer – Berwick Alternative K-8
- Leonard Scales – Indian Springs ES
- Rhonda Shade – Parkmoor ES
- Rose Shuler – Woodward Park MS
- Brittany Sparks – John Burroughs ES
- Leslie Williams – Cranbrook ES
- Debra Thornwell – East Columbus ES
- Leslie Williams – Cranbrook ES
- Eileen Weidner – Devonshire ES
- Troy Weis – Eastmoor Academy
- Susan Wenar – Gables ES
- Shirley Wohlwend – Alpine ES
In addition to recognizing teaching excellence, the event also awarded scholarships to five high-achieving Columbus City Schools seniors: Darlene Artrip, Jadyn Leftridge, Jimmy Matney, Tanya Radabaugh and Reyana Wheeler.
To read more updates on School Issues, CLICK HERE.
For more ongoing discussion on Columbus City Schools, CLICK HERE to visit our Messageboard.