2012 ACE Awards Champions Named
Ceremony honors 4 champions, more than 50 other 4J nominees
Read the Register-Guard article here
More than 50 4J teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers were honored at the seventh annual ACE (A Champion in Education) Awards on April 24.
Sponsored by the local business community, the ACE Awards recognize exemplary work by educators in the Eugene 4J, Bethel and Springfield school districts.
Four 4J educators were named as 4J's 2012 champions:
- Teacher: Ron Black
- CLASSIFIED: Virginia Farkas
- ADMINISTRATOR: Wally Bryant
- VOLUNTEER: Chris Doe
Ron Black, Band Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School & South Eugene High School — For more than three decades, Ron has been conducting school bands with patience, enthusiasm and humor. He is deeply dedicated to making sure young people have access to musical education. When students can’t afford an instrument, he makes sure they get one. When budget cuts put first-year band in jeopardy, Ron stepped up to combine classes. Students flourish under his direction, and the musical and personal results he gets from his young musicians are simply phenomenal.
Virginia Farkas, Career Center Coordinator, South Eugene High School — It has been said of Virginia that she doesn't understand the word "no." She believes every student can graduate college and career ready, and she welcomes any opportunity to help them realize their goals. She is personally invested in each student’s aspirations and she inspires their personal and academic development through her outstanding commitment to them. Virginia leaps above and beyond expectations, making her an ACE of hearts and minds.
Wally Bryant, Principal, Camas Ridge Community Elementary School — Wally is known for his exceptional leadership, personal integrity, and calm, compassionate demeanor. His ability to bring people together and lead them in a respectful, caring way is truly remarkable. These qualities have been instrumental in creating a community where everyone feels supported, valued and excited to engage in the learning process. His leadership has had a lasting impact in his school, this district, and our community.
Chris Doe, UO Classes for High School Students & Roosevelt Middle School — Chris was on sabbatical this year from his teaching duties as a biology professor at the University of Oregon, but he selflessly volunteered to give up hundreds of hours, and most of his Sundays, to teach an outstanding college-level environmental science class for high school students. Chris also has been a tireless volunteer for the debate club at Roosevelt Middle School. Chris’s deep love of science, down-to-earth skill at communicating, and commitment to helping students reach their highest potential are truly inspiring.
Each Champion's school will receive a $1,000 monetary award. Adding up those awards over the past several years, the ACE Awards' sponsors have contributed more than $80,000 to local public schools!
The ACE Awards program and awards ceremony are made possible by the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the generosity of sponsors from our local business community: title sponsor Oregon Community Credit Union, as well as Pacific Source Health Plans, All Academic Inc., Hamilton Construction Company, Hershner Hunter Attorneys, Eugene & Springfield McDonalds Restaurants, SELCO Community Credit Union and Palo Alto Software. Thanks are due to these sponsors and to all those who took time to nominate a deserving colleague or volunteer.
Congratulations to all of the nominees from Eugene School District 4J:
Teachers & Licensed Specialists
Edane Applegate, Special Education Teacher, Life Skills Network
Martin Ball, Drama & Language Arts Teacher, North Eugene High School
Ron Black, Music Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School & South Eugene High School
Cecelia Brands, Math Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Bev Carlson, Fourth Grade Teacher, Corridor Alternative Elementary School
Joyce Cedarlund, Fifth Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Morgan Christensen, Physical Education Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Patrice Cowman, First Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Bea Downes, Second Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Kristen Gianforti, Counselor, Awbrey Park Elementary School
Kathleen Gray, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood Community Elementary School
Jeff Hess, Physical Education & Language Arts Teacher, South Eugene High School
Julie Hulme, First Grade Teacher, Edgewood Community Elementary School
Melissa Ibarra, First Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Chad Kessler, Social Studies Teacher & Football Coach, South Eugene High School
Joy Koenig, Kindergarten Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Karen Lacey, Speech Specialist, South Eugene High School & Roosevelt Middle School
Denise Paquin, First Grade Teacher, Charlemagne French Immersion School
Les Phillipo, Computer Teacher, Sheldon High School
Linda Reuteler, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood Community Elementary School
Matt Sharkey, Math & Social Studies Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Antje Snawder, Kindergarten Teacher, César Chávez Elementary School
Kelley Wilson, Motor Team Consulting Teacher & Assistive Technology Specialist, Educational Support Services
Classified
Michelle Bierman, Education Skills Trainer, Kennedy Middle School
Virginia Farkas, Career Center Assistant, South Eugene High School
Keith Fjordbeck, Lead Custodian, Churchill High School
Eva Glass, Food Service Assistant, Monroe Middle School
Ciccy Gonzales, Bilingual Instructional Assistant & Library IMC Assistant, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Mary Beth Pattyn, Records and Scheduling Assistant, Spencer Butte Middle School
Judy Piper, Instructional Assistant, Adams Elementary School
Susan Schueller, Instructional Assistant, North Eugene High School
Melinda Shull, Department Secretary, South Eugene High School
Debi Starr, Program Coordinator Assistant, English Language Learners Program
Cheryl Storms, Finance Clerk, North Eugene High School
Andy Zuniga-Gonzalez, Custodian, Monroe Middle School
Administrators
Eric Anderson, Principal, Roosevelt Middle School
Wally Bryant, Principal, Camas Ridge Community Elementary School
Sara Cramer, Director of Elementary Education
Les Moore, Director of Computing and Information Services
Brad New, Secondary Education Administrator
Peter Tromba, Principal, Monroe Middle School
Carmen Urbina, Parent, Community & Diversity Coordinator
Volunteers
Lynn Bridges, Monroe Middle School
Mandy Cracknell-DeGuc, Arts & Technology Academy
Chris Doe, Roosevelt Middle School & UO Classes for High School Students
Joe Enders, Cal Young Middle School
Sandi Johnson, McCornack Elementary School
Wendy Laing, Monroe Middle School
Stewart Leaton, Edgewood Community Elementary School
Chandler Long, Family School
Maja Martir, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
Lallie McKenzie, South Eugene High School
Toni McNair, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Pamela Olsen, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion School
Liz Wigham, Corridor Alternative Elementary School