The John M. and Gladys N. Bates Award recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and/or diversity in the field of education. The 2010 recipient of the Bates Award is Louis Sisneros, a veteran high school English teacher and a member of the Jefferson County Education Association.

Louis is dedicated to educating and guiding the Jeffco schools and community to a greater understanding of diversity, especially regarding gay and lesbian individuals. He has worked with the school district to create safe schools, foster accepting families and friends, and end bullying of GBLT students. Louis teaches others to celebrate diversity of all kinds: race, ethnicity, gender, religion and disability, to name a few.

His commitment is to make school a safe haven for all students. As a trainer for PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Gays and Lesbians), Louis has developed workshops that are now part of the Safe Schools Initiative. He also serves on the district's Community Diversity Advisory Council and the Cultural Diversity Response Team, where he trains and assists other educators in dealing with diversity issues.

Louis's principal said, "As good as he is as an English teacher, Mr. Sisneros' greatest gift is educating and guiding our community to a greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity that makes us all wonderfully unique." His nominator, Lorraine Bowen, states, "Louis Sisneros is committed to creating a world that treats everyone with respect, dignity and equality."

Thank you, Louis, for making the world a better place for everyone.

The CEA Award is given to a member of the Association in recognition of outstanding service to public education. Barbara Clementi has dedicated her life to her profession and to the Association. Even in retirement, she continues to serve her local, state and national organizations. That's why CEA has awarded her its highest honor, the CEA Award.

From Association Rep in her building to an outstanding member of the NEA Board of Directors, Barb performs every job with dedication, passion, and a smile. She served on the CEA Board of Directors for more than a dozen years and now is Vice-president of her former local, the Pueblo Education Association.

Everyone who knows and has worked with Barb remarks on her many skills as well as her poise and style. Articulate and knowledgeable, she creates an environment that brings out the very best in her colleagues. One of her most lasting legacies is the number of Association leaders she has trained, nurtured and inspired. And, we must also remember that, first and foremost, she was an outstanding educator recognized in her district for her dedication to her students and her fellow teachers.

Carole Partin, PEA President and Barb's nominator, says, "The number of hours she has given to the Association cannot be measured or calculated. Her consistency, commitment, enthusiasm, perseverance and allegiance have been her hallmark."

Barb is a leader, a mentor, and always a teacher. CEA is pleased to honor this outstanding woman for a job well-done.

The Columbine Award recognizes a member of the Association for leadership in the membership recruitment and maintenance. It honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions in significant membership growth.

Membership is the lifeblood of our Association. Shelly Genereux is this year's recipient of the Columbine Award because she throws her heart into membership. A colleague states the Brighton Education Association is lucky that Shelly has a big heart. So is the rest of the state.

Shelly became president of BEA in 2004. One of her immediate goals was to increase membership. This was a significant goal because Brighton already had 83 percent membership. Two years later membership was at 93 percent. BEA has maintained its membership at over 90 percent ever since, receiving the CEA Solid Rock Award for this accomplishment.

Shelly's membership continues to grow because she never stops recruiting and working to sustain membership. First, she created a culture that all teachers will join. Then she makes sure that the members feel connected to the Association and understand what BEA is doing. Her regular communications are key, as are her continual recognition and appreciation of her members' contributions to the organization and the profession.

Not only is Shelly an extraordinary local leader, but she has worked to develop a membership template for other locals. She has presented her program at state functions and shared it with leaders from the eight states in the Western Region. Through this work Shelly has influenced and increased membership far and wide.

CEA applauds Shelly. Keep up the good work!

The Mickelsen Diamond Award recognizes an Association member who has provided outstanding service to education and education employees through collective bargaining. Mike Jagel, an elementary music and P.E. teacher, as well as the Vice-president of the Jefferson County Education Association, is the 2010 winner of the CEA Diamond Award.

Mike served on the JCEA bargaining team for more than ten years. His involvement in and devotion to collective bargaining began when he served on several school district task forces on compensation in the early 1990s. Today he is a member of the joint district/association design group on strategic compensation. His long-time interest in this issue makes him an invaluable member of the group.

Mike appreciates the road traveled by previous bargaining teams. Recently he provided the Jeffco School Board with a lesson on steps and lanes. His ability to make the board members understand the historical work of creating a salary schedule and why steps and lanes are important was admired and appreciated by all. Over the years Mike has combined his bargaining expertise with his advocacy for teacher rights and wrote a regular "Know Your Contract" column for JCEA members. Mike is a teacher of bargaining.

One of Mike's colleagues says that he "is a man who is not afraid to ask the tough questions, who doesn't shy away from a tough task, and is passionate about advancing the profession through bargaining." High praise for a high performer in bargaining and in the Association. Congratulations, Mike.

The ESP Award recognizes an Education Support Professional member whose activities illustrate the contributions of education support staff to public education.

The 2010 ESP Award goes to Jim Pavicich of the Association of Custodial and Maintenance Employees. Jim has been a member of the Association since he went to work for Pueblo School District 60 in 1996.

Jim is involved in the Association at the local, unit and state levels. He currently serves on the CEA Board of Directors representing education support professionals statewide. He is also the chairperson of the CEA ESP Advisory Council. Prior to this, Jim served on the CEA Board for six years representing the Spanish Peaks UniServ Unit. He is an advocate for ESP and teachers alike.

Jim helped develop and serves as coordinator for CEA's annual ESP Conference. He also served on the CEA Awards Committee and chaired the group for two years. He continually works to improve his skills and then shares what he knows with others.

Known for his commitment, dependability and helpfulness, Jim has earned the respect of everyone who has worked with him. He always finds a way to solve problems while making sure that no one's viewpoint is slighted.

In nominating Jim for this award, the 2009 ESP Award recipient Randy Huckaby stated, "Jim is the epitome of an Education Support Professional. His dedication illustrates his superlative and unique abilities as a leader and an organizer."

The entire Association is fortunate to have Jim Pavicich working for us.

The Friend of Education Award honors a public official who has made a significant contribution to public education in Colorado. State Representative Jack Pommer, a Boulder Democrat, is CEA's 2010 Friend of Education. He has served eight years in the House and will be leaving at the end of this year due to term limits.

Rep. Pommer will be greatly missed, not only by CEA members, but by education and child advocates throughout the state. He has been a champion for all causes related to public education, but is especially known for his unfailing efforts to fund Colorado's public schools at the highest levels possible. He has sponsored the annual School Finance Act for several years. He currently serves as the chairman of the Joint Budget Committee where he has fought to maintain school funding, while balancing the fiscal demands of the state brought on by the current economic downturn.

Besides being a passionate progressive leader, Jack Pommer is also an involved parent who volunteers in his children's schools and attends local school board meetings to stay informed about what's happening in his own school district. He is also a community activist who provides leadership on many issues.

Rep. Pommer was nominated for this award by his legislative liaison, Kenneth Nova, who said, "We will miss Jack's intelligent, outspoken, big-picture understanding of Colorado's budget and his relentless commitment and ability to fashion the best possible financing for education."

CEA concurs that Jack Pommer truly is a friend of education.

The Johnson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an Association member who is working toward a graduate degree in education.

CEA is pleased to award the Robert H. Johnson Scholarship to Elizabeth Koop, the unit chairperson of the Pikes Peak Education Association. Liz is enrolled in a master's program in School Library and Information Technologies through the University of Colorado-Denver. This degree will give Liz an endorsement as a Teacher Librarian.

One wonders how Liz finds the time to get a master's degree while she is teaching high school English, including the Advanced Placement courses, and serving as a very active Association leader. She is a life-long learner who started her education career as a classroom aide. Her multi-tasking skills are legendary. When does she sleep?

Liz has been involved in the Association since early in her career. As a probationary teacher, she stepped up and took on the presidency of her local, the Cheyenne Mountain Education Association. In that role she worked to create a supportive working environment for employees and a better school district for students. She revitalized the local, became the driving force on the bargaining team, and built an excellent working relationship with the district.

Liz is politically active at the local and state level. She is committed to honing her leadership skills and has attended numerous Association training sessions. She will use her scholarship to continue her education and pass on what she learns to her students and colleagues. Good luck, Liz.