(Washington, DC) Twenty-nine DC Public Schools teachers, administrators, staff, and schools were named Standing Ovation award winners last week for their dedication and excellence. DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson visited schools across the district to surprise the winning Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Staff Member of the Year with an announcement of the awards.
Each of the winners will be honored by DC Public Schools and DC Public Education Fund at the annual Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools ceremony at the Kennedy Center on February 1, 2016, and provided with cash prizes totaling $230,000.
“DC Public Schools educators work tirelessly to make DCPS the fastest improving urban school district in the nation, and I’m honored to be able to award nearly 30 educators and schools for their exemplary efforts,” says Kaya Henderson, Chancellor of DC Public Schools.
Made possible by the generosity of Alice and David Rubenstein, Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools brings together business leaders, government officials, philanthropic champions, and top educators from across the district to shine a spotlight on DCPS’s finest teachers, administrators, and school staff through an awards show and celebration.
The 2016 Standing Ovation Award Winners are:
2015 DCPS Teacher of the Year
James Cunningham, an art teacher at School Without Walls High School and 31 year veteran of DC Public Schools, was selected as the 2015 DCPS Teacher of the Year. From facilitating artistic internships for his students to accompanying them on trips to places such as Ethiopia, Jamaica, Paraguay, and Japan, Cunningham extends the world of art beyond the classroom. He teaches students to be disciplined in their work and produce thoughtful, cutting-edge art.
2015 DCPS Principal of the Year
In her fourth year as principal at Seaton Elementary School, Principal Kim Jackson was selected to receive the 2015 DCPS Principal of the Year award. Principal Jackson creates a positive and inclusive culture at Seaton, where students form strong bonds that reflect their diverse backgrounds. She prioritizes spending time with students every day, despite the demands and pressures of the job, and serves as a mentor to new principals.
2015 School Staff Member of the Year
Phallon Lattimore, the Director of School Strategy and Logistics at Marie Reed Elementary School, is the 2015 DCPS Staff Member of the Year. In her four years at Marie Reed Elementary School, Lattimore drastically improved systems for procurement, budgeting, substitute management, and facilities management. Her team often turns to her as a mentor because of her dedication to her work.
Five new awards will be presented at Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools 2016:
- 2015 Excellence in Classroom Innovation Award: M. Kamel Igoudjil, English Teacher, McKinley Technology Education Campus
- 2015 Excellence in Service Award: Constance Thayer, Kindergarten Teacher, Beers Elementary School
- 2015 Excellence in School Innovation Award: Burrville Elementary School
- 2015 Excellence in Family Engagement Award: C.W. Harris Elementary School
- 2015 Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: H.D. Cooke Elementary School
Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Teaching
Seven DCPS teachers will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching:
- Ramiro Acosta, Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Bruce-Monroe Elementary School
- Mary Ball, English-Language Arts and English as a Second Language Teacher, Cardozo Education Campus
- Rachel Broudy, English and AP Teacher, McKinley Technology High School
- Kimberly Davila, Math Specialist, Moten Elementary School
- Lakia Kenan, Reading Teacher, Orr Elementary School
- Sarah McLaughlin, Special Education Teacher, Seaton Elementary School
- Britni Whitty, Science Teacher, Hardy Middle School
Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Leadership: Principals
Four DCPS principals will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership:
- Kennard Branch, Principal, Garfield Elementary School
- Kim Burke, Principal, Nalle Elementary School
- Tanya Roane, Principal, Cardozo Education Campus
- Naimah Salahuddin, Principal, Drew Elementary School
Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Leadership: Assistant Principals
Four DCPS assistant principals will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership:
- Alethea Bustillo, Assistant Principal, Bruce-Monroe Elementary School. Bustillio is now principal at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School.
- Crystal Gatling, Assistant Principal, Cleveland Elementary School. Gatling is now assistant principal at Payne Elementary School.
- Caron Smith, Assistant Principal, Phelps High School
- Benjamin Williams, Associate Principal, School Without Walls. Williams is now a principal partner with DCPS Central Office.
Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective School Staff
Six DCPS staff members will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective School Staff:
- James Allen, Custodial Foreman, Hart Middle School
- James Davis, Educational Aide, Beers Elementary School
- Sara Ewbank, Instructional Coach, Brent Elementary School
- Pamela Lipscomb Gardner, Librarian, Woodrow Wilson High School
- Lertia Lopes, Behavioral Technician, Whittier Education Campus
- Elease McCants, Manager of Strategy and Logistics, Browne Education Campus
For more information about Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools at the Kennedy Center on February 1, 2016, visit the website.