The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association name Columbia educator to receive prestigious national award
August 8, 2016
Stephanie Johnson to be recognized at SC State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, August 9 at 12:30 pm at The Rutledge Conference Center at 1429 Senate Street
“By implementing customized lessons and differentiating instruction using technology, I provide students with opportunities to use digital media to communicate and work collaboratively.”
That’s how Stephanie Johnson innovates in her classroom. Johnson, a third grade educator at HB Rhame Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina, is one of 43 public educators who will receive the prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala next February in Washington, DC.
The California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence are unique: in addition to being recognized for excellence in instructional and professional practice, awardees are nominated by their peers – their National Education Association state affiliate – for their dedication to the profession, community engagement, professional development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for fellow educators.
Because the NEA Foundation values both professional development and diversity, awardees are invited to participate in its Global Learning Fellowship. Fellows learn how to prepare their students for a connected and multicultural world in this comprehensive, year-long professional development program, which includes an international field study next June.
“These outstanding educators are innovators, challengers, and global thinkers,” says Harriet Sanford, NEA Foundation President and CEO. “We are delighted that California Casualty joins us once again in expressing our shared admiration and thanks for their work.”
“The California Casualty awardees are the architects of our nation’s future,” says Beau Brown, California Casualty CEO. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to honor them with the California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence.”
Of these 43 state awardees, five finalists will be announced at the beginning of the school year and receive $10,000 at the gala. The nation’s top educator will be revealed at the awards Gala on February 10, 2017, and receive an additional $25,000. The awards gala will be livestreamed at neafoundation.org.
The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards. Find more information about the awards and photos of the awardees.
About The NEA Foundation
The NEA Foundation is a public charity supported by contributions from educators’ dues, corporate sponsors, foundations, and others who support public education initiatives. We partner with education unions, districts, and communities to create powerful, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning. Visit neafoundation.org for more information. Find us on Facebook and Twitter, and visit our blog.
