STAUNTON — 10 educators from the general public schools in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County have been honored as 2021 Dawbarn Schooling Award winners.
The Group Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge chose the people, who every single acquire a $10,000 income award.
Per a push launch, the Dawbarn Education Awards Committee, comprised of area citizens, decide on those nominees who go higher than and further than the requirements of their assignments and who inspire and encourage college students to attain their full likely.
Designed in 1992, The Dawbarn Schooling Awards are named for the late H. Dunlop “Buz” Dawbarn, who founded a $100,000 fund at the Local community Foundation. He later added more funds to the fund by his estate.
“The single most important thing we’ve received to do as a society is educate people,” Dawbarn explained at the time. “Democracy is not going to do the job in the extensive operate if we don’t make educated citizens.”
Considering that the to start with awards have been offered out in 1994, $1.9 million and 267 awards have been distributed to Dawbarn Training Award recipients.
The objective of the Dawbarn Schooling Awards, in accordance to the push launch, is to improve public education in the area by recognizing and gratifying people who have demonstrated dedication and willingness to go beyond the envisioned amount of service to pupils. In addition, the people today exceed normal standards of performance and incredible commitment to finding efficient ways to stimulate college students to get to their complete likely. All those honored have also revealed management in motivating and inspiring youthful folks to study, excel, established substantial own objectives, and price education and learning as a life-extended pursuit.
At this time, a public awards ceremony for 2021 has not been scheduled.
The 2021 Dawbarn Education and learning Award Recipients:
Lisa Cooper is a 1st quality instructor at Bessie Weller Elementary College. In 2019-2020, she was Instructor of the Year for each Staunton Metropolis Universities and Bessie Weller Elementary University. Her nominator wrote: “…Lisa has used 12 many years as a classroom trainer, and she strives to build and retain meaningful relationships with every boy or girl. She needs them to know that they are critical. They are liked. They are cared for. This is what matters to Lisa.”
Emily Hewitt is a very first grade teacher at Stuarts Draft Elementary School. For 2019-2020, she was Augusta County Teacher of the Calendar year, and Trainer of the Calendar year at Stuarts Draft Elementary School. A colleague explained about Ms. Hewitt: “Her dedication to her learners is apparent in the extensive hours she puts in to approach and apply the most unbelievable classes. She provides her classroom to everyday living with beautiful room transformations.” Yet another colleague additional: “Ms. Hewitt truly brings understanding to daily life!”
Robert Hildebrand is a School Useful resource Officer at Buffalo Hole High Faculty. He has earlier available “safety and security” at a lot of of our region colleges. In addition, he is a longtime tiny league football coach. His nominator writes that Mr. Hildebrand: “…volunteers his time to make absolutely sure gatherings in our community are safe and sound – from Homecoming Dances and Prom, to FFA Banquets and Graduation. This calendar year he lined an FFA (with COVID mitigations in location) “parking lot” banquet…he stayed the entire time just to see the youngsters gain awards and when it ran extensive into the darkish he applied his vehicle spotlight to gentle the celebration so it could carry on right up until concluded.”
David Holsinger is the Servicing Director at Valley Job and Technical Centre. He has held this function for 30 decades. He is described as doing each undertaking from starting off the day’s to start with pot of coffee, to coordinating custodial staff members, to retaining the facility’s grounds. A colleague writes: “Dave Holsinger is all about service and not about self, and I would think about him a “swiss military knife” in his job at VCTC.” About awards and recognition, the similar colleague states Mr. Holsinger “…is deserving of any and all, but does not be expecting them.”
Jennifer Knoxville is a social experiments trainer at Staunton Higher University. She has been an educator for 19 several years. Her nominator writes that Ms. Knoxville: “…is enthusiastic about what she teaches and is continuously trying to get improved sources to ensure that all of her learners not only have obtain to the material, but also that they uncover the specific resources that will support them continue to purchase know-how far outside of the time they shell out in her classroom.”
Alexandria Lancaster is a kindergarten trainer at William Perry Elementary Faculty. In 2020, she was named Teacher of the Calendar year for William Perry Elementary School, as effectively as Instructor of the Yr for Waynesboro Town Community Educational institutions. From her nomination: “to carry out her skilled duties, Ms. Lancaster provides generously of her worthwhile time, and her work extends further than the school day. She sets substantial specifications for herself and her learners and then is effective tough to see that they are achieved.”
Megan League is a Particular Education and learning Instructor Assistant for Waynesboro City General public Universities. Ms. League is described as a creative difficulty-solver, and devoted to her occupation. A colleague notes: “…when Megan goes into school rooms, she normally will stop up performing with learners that are not even on her caseload. She will recognize a university student that is struggling and determine a way to support him/her to be successful and she finishes up taking on more little ones mainly because she desires to see everybody triumph.”
Mary Ann Plogger is a Transition Expert at Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Heart (SVJC). She has formerly been named Teacher of the Calendar year for SVJC, and Instructor of the 12 months for Lee Superior University. Her position includes instructing, but she also “…works intently with pupils to identify their educational plans and established a route and timeline to arrive at them.” She maintains a classroom hydroponic yard, cares for the center’s remedy dog, and sales opportunities an annual holiday getaway fundraiser. 1 of her pupils wrote: “She’s the only trainer that I have recognised that’s pushed me to be the best person I could be.”
Sarah Stoll is a music trainer at Wilson Elementary College. In addition to frequent classroom instruction, she serves as director of songs for the faculty participate in, potential customers quite a few musical teams and choirs, aids operate the annual talent demonstrate, and teaches piano. A mother or father mentioned the next about Ms. Stoll: “She normally exudes warmth and acceptance of pupils from any qualifications. Regardless of what turmoil college students may well working experience outside the house of college, it is crystal clear that they feel harmless, unique, and ‘noticed’ in Ms. Stoll’s classroom.”
Lee Ann Whitesell is the Software Director at Shenandoah Valley Governor’s University. She was 2 times named Trainer of the 12 months for Central Valley Regional Governor’s University, and is a previous Dawbarn Education and learning Award winner in her function as a teacher. She is explained as a diligent and devoted chief who tirelessly operates to increase and update her establishment. From the nomination: “Since using the helm of SVGS in 2011, Lee Ann has reshaped the method to provide a broader and much more numerous student system. Drawing on the input and know-how of pros, educators, and community customers, she built and led a elaborate procedure to redefine the school’s mission and student objectives.”
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Patrick Hite is The News Leader’s education and learning and sports activities reporter. Story strategies and guidelines generally welcome. Get hold of Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and abide by him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.