Educator recognition program sponsored by local business community
Nearly 50 4J teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers were honored at the 2014 ACE (A Champion in Education) Awards on April 29.
Sponsored by the local business community, the ACE Awards recognize exemplary work by educators in the Eugene 4J, Bethel and Springfield school districts.
Four outstanding educators were named as 4J’s 2014 champions: Cecelia Brands, Leslie Wonn, Susan Penrod and Tom Bettman.
LICENSED CHAMPION: Cecelia Brands, Teacher on Special Assignment, Technology Department
Cecelia has been a fun and engaging math and science teacher at Monroe Middle School for many years. Her students may be engaged in learning by dropping a Barbie doll from the roof as part of an algebra lesson or singing catchy songs about DNA. This year, though, her assignment is helping other teachers learn and master Synergy, the new student information system. Learning to use a new software system while maintaining a full teaching load can feel like changing a tire while the bus is rolling. Cecelia’s untiring work helping other teachers get up to speed with the Synergy Gradebook has had a positive impact on hundreds of teachers and on thousands of students and parents across the district.
LICENSED NOMINEES: Angie Ruzicka • Ann Hettick • Brian Gulka • Cecelia Brands • Chava Beinin • Chris Dobson • Dave Sheehan • Eric Freeman • Joe Mancuso • John Benson • Karen Lacey • Kenneth Silverman • Mary Kuhl • Matthew Cerbin • Miho Hosaka • Mike Stead • Olivia Stieber • Patrice Cowman • Tracy Conaghan
CLASSIFIED CHAMPION: Leslie Wonn, Educational Assistant, McCornack Elementary School
Leslie has been described as “amazing,” “dedicated,” “creative” and “compassionate.” Students trust her, work with her and are calmer with her because she creates a learning environment that is safe, structured, nuanced and meaningful. Her students are eager to participate and they enjoy learning with her. Leslie sees the importance of both the daily tasks and the long-term vision for the students and the school. Every day, Leslie moves students forward in their reading, their math, and their character. With Leslie at the helm and guiding the way, her students practice, make mistakes, try again and succeed!
CLASSIFIED NOMINEES: Cheryl Storms • Corinne Smith • Debora Kovensky • Deborah Stowell• Gary Selland • Hugh Smith • Jackie Solares • Joni de Saint Phalle • Joyce Stevenson • Karen Kingzett • Kim Blaser • Leslie Wonn • Rick Baker • Roger Butenschoen • Sue Quillan • Tom Riedman
ADMINISTRATOR/PROFESSIONAL/SUPERVISOR CHAMPION: Susan Penrod, Principal, Spring Creek Elementary School
Susan works tirelessly to provide students and their families the best school experience possible. Shortly after Susan arrived at Spring Creek, just two years ago, the school was identified as a Focus School by the Oregon Department of Education. To many, this came as a very unwelcome surprise. Susan saw it as an unexpected opportunity to make some much-needed changes. She has worked with Spring Creek’s staff to implement or expand several programs and make other changes that are making a difference for kids. With Susan’s leadership, dedication, inspiring model of excellence and tireless work, Susan and the Spring Creek staff provide a vibrant, exciting educational environment for all students and their families.
ADMINISTRATOR/PROFESSIONAL/SUPERVISOR NOMINEES: Garry McCready • Laurie Moses • Sara Cramer • Susan Penrod • Suzy Price
VOLUNTEER CHAMPION: Tom Bettman, South Eugene High School Learning Center
Tom has been volunteering in our schools for 15 years, most recently at South’s Learning Center, a special education program. Tom makes a tremendous difference for the students he supports in learning math, science, English, and history. Students come to the Learning Center with a wide range of skills, needs, and learning styles. They may start off unsure and insecure about what they don’t know. With his humor, patience and kindness, Tom cracks even the hardest of shells to support every student and inspire them to succeed.
VOLUNTEER NOMINEES: Donna Ivanoff • Jean Sydow • Maja Martir • Mary Pat Piazza • Pearla Aguilar • Ron Feist • Sandra Estep • Thomas Bettman
Each ACE champion’s school will receive a $1,000 award for a project or program at the school. Adding up those awards over the past several years, the ACE Awards’ sponsors have contributed more than $100,000 to local public schools!
The ACE Awards program and awards ceremony are made possible by the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the generosity of sponsors from our local business community: presenting sponsor Oregon Community Credit Union, as well as PacificSource Health Plans, SELCO Community Credit Union, Eugene–Springfield McDonald’s Restaurants, Hershner Hunter LLC, Lane Community College and Springfield Education Association. Thanks are due to these sponsors and to all those who took time to nominate a deserving staff member or volunteer.
