(Washington, DC) Today, 29 DC Public Schools (DCPS) teachers, administrators, staff, and schools were named Standing Ovation award winners for their dedication and excellence by DCPS. The awardees will be honored at the annual Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools event in February hosted by the DC Public Education Fund.

DC Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson surprised educators across the city with their awards. Tumeka Coleman, a 3rd grade teacher at Walker-Jones Education Campus, won the 2018 Teacher of the Year award. She has been hailed by her colleagues and community as an instrumental part of Walker-Jones Education Campus and a teacher who meaningfully engages families, improves students’ reading fluency, and infuses joy into everything she does.

“Ms. Coleman, and all of this year’s honorees, exemplify DC Public Schools and our vision for making sure every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence society and thrive in life,” said Chancellor Antwan Wilson. “I want to thank our teachers and leaders for putting students first, bringing joy to the work, and ensuring excellence in classrooms across the city.”

Principal of the Year Tenia Pritchard has been at Whittier Education Campus for six years. She started at DCPS as a student, then served as a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and now leader at Whittier. Emily Allshouse, winner of the School Staff Member of the Year, is the Director of Strategy and Logistics at Brightwood Education Campus. She’s known among staff and students as the type of leader who goes the extra mile, particularly when it comes to mentoring her students for success.

“Today we take special note of DC Public Schools’ excellence across teachers and other staff. This is a celebration bringing together the city’s leaders, from philanthropy, public service, and corporate partners,” said Jeanie Lee, President and Executive Director of the DC Public Education Fund, which hosts the event. “We join in celebrating their service to our students as well as their commitment to public education and look forward to raising a glass to these leaders at the official awards ceremony in February.”

The 2018 Standing Ovation Excellence Award winners are:

• Principal of the Year: Tenia Pritchard, Whittier Education Campus (Ward 4)
• Teacher of the Year: Tumeka Coleman, Walker-Jones Education Campus (Ward 6)
• School Staff Member of the Year: Emily Allshouse, Director of Strategy and Logistics, Brightwood Education Campus (Ward 4)
• Excellence in School Innovation: Cynthia Robinson-Rivers, Van Ness Elementary School (Ward 6)
• Excellence in Service: Jessica Silva, Marie Reed Elementary School (Ward 1)
• Excellence in Classroom Innovation: Kareem Farah, Eastern High School
• Excellence in Family Engagement: Principal Greg Dohmann, Jefferson Middle School Academy (Ward 6)
• Excellence by an Academic Leadership Team: Truesdell Education Campus (Ward 4)

In addition, 21 teachers, staff, principals and assistant principals were honored with Rubenstein Awards and will each receive $5,000:

Rubenstein Winners for Excellence in Leadership, Principals

• Mary Ann Stinson, Truesdell Education Campus (Ward 4)
• John Burst, School Within a School (Ward 6)
• Donald Bryant, Stoddert Elementary School (Ward 3)
• Kennard Branch, Garfield Elementary School (Ward 8)

Rubenstein Winners for Excellence in Leadership, Assistant Principals

• Lisa Rosado, Turner Elementary School (Ward 8)
• Steve Aupperle, Truesdell Education Campus (Ward 4)
• Jennifer Green , Key Elementary School (Ward 3)
• Kermit Burks, Noyes Elementary School (Ward 5)

Rubenstein Winners for Excellence in Teaching

• Jillian Atlas, 3rd grade teacher, Ross Elementary School (Ward 2)
• Joana Davila, 9th-12th grade teacher, Cardozo Education Campus (Ward 1)
• Taylor Parson, 4th grade teacher, Beers Elementary School (New Teacher of the Year, Ward 7)
• Kaila Ramsey, 4th grade teacher, H.D. Cooke Elementary School (Ward 1)
• Lauren Bomba, Pre-K-5th grade teacher, Maury Elementary School (Ward 6)
• Lashunda Reynolds, 12th grade teacher, McKinley Technology High School (Ward 5)
• Pamela Tucker, 12th grade teacher, Anacostia High School (Ward 8)

Rubenstein Winners for Excellence Among School Staff

• Michael Smith, Literacy Specialist, Inspired Youth Program (Ward 7)
• George Blanks, Custodial Foreman, H.D. Woodson High School (Ward 7)
• Tyrone White, Custodial Foreman, School Without Walls High School (Ward 2)
• Shayla Stafford, Instructional Coach, Phelps ACE High School (Ward 5)
• Gloria Hernandez, Coordinator of Strategy and Logistics, Columbia Heights Education Campus (Ward 1)
• Susan Bloom, Librarian, Peabody Elementary School (Ward 6)

All awardees will be honored at the annual Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools, on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at the Anthem. Special guests will include Wyclef Jean and Tim Gunn, who will come together to applaud the city’s finest educators and their dedication to the district’s students. Alice and David M. Rubenstein generously provide the $230,000 in cash prizes for Standing Ovation each year.

For more information, visit www.standingovationfordcps.org.