CEA award winners honored at 86th Delegate Assembly
The Colorado Education Association honored those who made outstanding contributions to our Association and public education at an awards ceremony held during Delegate Assembly in Denver, April 27, 2012. Every year, we ask members to nominate colleagues for CEA awards who have excelled in our mission to work collectively to provide the best public education for every student. This year, CEA honored four members, a community volunteer and two legislators for their leadership and steadfast commitment to public education.
The John & Gladys Bates Award recognizes outstanding contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and diversity in the field of education. CEA honored Betty Valdez with this award to recognize her 40 years of community volunteer service, particularly with the Colorado Youth Citizenship Awards. The program cultivates civic responsibility among middle school students by awarding their achievement in outstanding citizenship, learning experiences with business and government leaders, and knowledge of American heritage.
The CEA Award is given to a member of our Association in recognition of outstanding service to public education. CEA honored Marylou Rogers of Thompson Education Association with this award for developing a media center considered "the heart of the school", elevating the professional work of her colleagues, and building her unit's capacity to help elect effective legislators and pass needed education funding measures.
The Columbine Award recognizes an Association member for leadership in member recruitment and retention resulting in significant membership growth. CEA honored Vicki Reinhard of Aurora Education Association with this award for creating a culture of belonging at AEA and instilling a focus for every member to understand the importance of membership recruitment.
CEA honored Amy Wilkening of Jefferson County Classified School Employees Association with the Columbine Award for developing creative membership materials to communicate the value of membership and diligently reaching out to members to develop their interests and encourage their involvement.
The ESP Award recognizes an education support professional whose activities illustrate the contributions of education support staff to public education. CEA honored Debbie Harman of Jefferson County Classified Employees Association for performing several Association roles while serving as a highly effective and respected custodian in her school. She also speaks publicly about this risk of illness in schools if school districts cut custodial positions.
The Friend of Education Award honors public officials who have made a significant contribution to public education in Colorado. CEA honored Senator Brandon Shaffer with this award for lending his strong voice to public education issues and insisting legislators put aside party politics to do the right thing for schools and students. The first bill Sen. Shaffer introduced was to fully fund kindergarten, and he has gained the best possible outcomes for PERA.
CEA honored Representative Judy Solano with the Friend of Education Awards for championing the issues that improve the lives of students, teachers and education support professionals. A retired teacher and CEA member, Rep. Solano has advocated for children, educators and families for 30 years. She is a leading voice in the legislature on early childhood readiness and improvement of the CSAP test.
CEA also recognized two members at Delegate Assembly who were recently bestowed a great honor in their professional careers: Judy Near as NEA's Education Support Professional of the Year, and Kristin Donley as Colorado's Teacher of the Year.
See more pictures of the CEA Awards and Delegate Assembly on CEA's flickr site.
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