“I don’t see any newspaper reporters here; I don’t see any television cameras . . . ”
In her keynote address at the Educator of the Year banquet, motivational speaker and Mifflin graduate Tei Street (“The Amazing Tei Street”) briefly considered a lost opportunity for staffers at Columbus City Schools to shine in the local media spotlight.
But if the paparazzi failed to attend the Wednesday evening event, the rest of the house was packed at the Villa Milano Conference Center. In attendance for the ceremony were teachers, staffers and administrators from across the district — along with student performers, Superintendent Dan Good, and three members of the Board of Education.
The event is an annual showcase of educator excellence in Columbus City Schools. Coordinated by the Columbus Council of PTAs, council president Lolita Augenstein explained the nomination and selection procedure.
“Each school does it differently — some schools allow the staff to make the choice — but, in most cases it is the entire community that decides,” said Augenstein. “They are all nominated for their hard work and dedication to their students and their families. They put students first and are one of the many links that provide a strong platform for students’ academic success.”
She adds that the term “educator” can refer to more than just teachers. Staffers in school buildings work together to contribute to the education of children.
The Council also nominates an educator to represent the school district. This year there were two honorees.
“We celebrate Andre Jones, principal at Windsor Elementary, and William Stinchcomb, head custodian at Gables Elementary,” said Augenstein. “They both display a level of school partnership that promotes student achievement that is incomparable.”
The list of this year’s other honored educators follows:
- Talon Bailey, Monroe Alternative
- Jeffrey Becker, Northland
- Joseph Begeny, Beechcroft
- Andrew Bloom, Starling STEM
- Diana Brewer, Starling STEM
- Loren Bucek, Starling STEM
- Richard Burkart, Whetstone
- Nicole Edwards, PhD, Johnson Park
- Megahn England, Indian Springs, ES
- Kristen Foster, Starling STEM
- Kelly Haas, John Burroughs
- Brian Hamilton, Centennial
- Melissa Harps, Olde Orchard Alt.
- Lisa Hill, Johnson Park
- Sheila Hock, Eakin
- Joy Hostetler, West
- Bruce Jacobs, Sherwood
- Lesley Landis, Columbus Global Academy
- Vicky Liggett, John Burroughs
- Amanda Looney, Eastmoor Academy
- Angela Nelson, Starling STEM
- Trisha Patton, Woodcrest
- April Pendery, Alpine
- Bari Pollyea, John Burroughs
- Barry Proctor, Lindbergh
- Danny Ransey, Jr., Woodward Park
- Kathy Rapp, John Burroughs
- Lynda Ray, Brookhaven
- Stacy Rhodes, Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls
- Tiffany Rude, Gables
- Rhonda Shade, Parkmoor
- Katherine Scott, Devonshire
- Kelly Suhoza, Johnson Park
- Susan Turner, Cedarwood Alternative
- Jennifer Wojdyla-Radde, Georgian Heights Alternative
- Rebecca Wolfe, Eastgate
- William Womack, CAHS
- Matthe Yuhasz, Woodward park
- Ann Zag, Georgian Heights
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