For Immediate Release:   January 19, 2012

 

BPS Champions Recognized at Inaugural ABC Awards

 

VIERA, FLORIDA – Brevard Schools Foundation hosted the first annual ABC Awards (Applauding Brevard’s Champions) at the Maxwell King Center in Melbourne on Thursday, January 19.  The gala honored Brevard Public Schools’ (BPS) Teachers of the Year, Employees of the Year, Administrators of the Year, Business Partners of the Year, Volunteers of the Year, and Parent Involvement Award Winners.

Foundation Executive Director, Janice Kershaw said, “I am excited to acknowledge these outstanding representatives who nurture, teach and support the students of Brevard County each and every day.”

Columbia Elementary’s third grade teacher, Kimberly Botelho, won this year’s coveted title of Brevard Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year (TOY). Botelho was presented with the award before an audience of over 1,000 people. A surprised Botelho concluded her acceptance speech with, “Teaching is a career that is always evolving ……because a great teacher is never a finished product……… but always in the process of becoming.  I don’t have riches or titles behind my name, but I inspire change every day, I teach ……..and that is invaluable."

Stuart Sheinman, Technology/Network Support Associate from West Melbourne, was named BPS’ Employee of the Year (EOY).  Sheinman has been employed by the district for seven years and has been at his present work site for five. “I am humbled to be standing here amongst a group of so many distinguished individuals, Brevard’s finest teachers, employees, volunteers, and community partners.” 

Brevard Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Brian T. Binggeli said, “This is a remarkable venue in which to pay tribute to the outstanding employees, citizens, and businesses that help make our school district great.” He continued, “I thank each of these individuals for their commitment to our students and their future.”

Other winners honored during the evening include:

Special Recognition – Star Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Brian T. Binggeli was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding Superintendent of the Year from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Candidates for the award were judged on their demonstrable support of the education foundation, quality of leadership provided to the education foundation, assistance with overcoming challenging situations, and letters of recommendation from community leaders.

Brevard’s Administrators of the Year

The Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and The Outstanding Assistant Principal Award were established to recognize exemplary principals and assistant principals for their contributions to their schools and communities. The program honors individuals that have spearheaded initiatives to increase student performance and promote safe learning environments, often through establishing partnerships with parents and community members.  Brevard’s representatives are:

James Hickey –2011 Secondary Principal of the Year – Andrew Jackson Middle School

Hilah Mercer – 2011 Elementary Principal of the Year – Cambridge Elementary Magnet School

Melissa Catechis – 2011 Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year – Astronaut High

Elizabeth Westfall – 2011 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year – Westside Elementary

Each district may nominate one principal and assistant principal to send to the state level.  Mercer and Catechis were selected as Brevard’s nominees.

Volunteers of the Year

The Outstanding School Volunteer Award is presented annually to school volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to their school through volunteer service.  This award is given in three categories – adult, youth and senior.  Volunteers are selected based on the number of hours of service, years of service, type of contribution and/or characteristics of services rendered.  Brevard’s winners are:

Rachael Keller –Youth winner, – Melbourne High School

Kevin “Buster” Beal – Adult winner – Merritt Island High School

Ronald Patchell – Senior winner – Kennedy Middle School

Business Partners of the Year

The Business Partner of the Year honors those organizations which help our schools be the best they can be by contributing talent, treasure and time.  These are organizations who display commitment, creativity and innovation in bringing about positive change to our schools and our district.  Brevard’s winners are:

Florida Institute of Technology – Non-profit winner – Nominated by West Melbourne Elementary School for Science and Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School of the Arts

Triangle Auto – Small Business – Nominated by Edgewood Jr./Sr. High

Zachry Industries – Large Business – Nominated by Atlantis Elementary

Parent Involvement Award Winners

The 2012 Parent Involvement Award recognizes innovative school practices that increase family involvement. School-level parent involvement programs are evaluated on but not limited to their impact on family involvement, ability to be replicated, relationship to goals and objectives of the school, uniqueness and innovation and impact on school improvement.  Brevard’s winners are:

Westside Elementary –Elementary winner for Parent Academy Nights

Jackson Middle –Secondary Winner for G.P.A. (General Parents in Action)

These schools and their programs will represent the district at the Florida PTA Leadership Conference.