Columbia Public Schools honors outstanding educators of the year

Seven Columbia Public Schools’ educators have been selected as this year’s Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence honorees.

 

Since its inception in the 1979-80 school year, the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence has recognized more than 250 educators in the Columbia Public School District for their outstanding teaching, leadership, and student support. Each year, educators are selected from nominations submitted by parents and peers as outstanding educators. This year’s honorees and their respective categories are:

 

Outstanding Elementary Educator, Grades PreK-2
Haley Floyd, Benton Elementary School

Outstanding High School Educator
Daryl Moss, Rock Bridge High School

Outstanding Elementary Educator, Grades 3-5
Becky Eckerle, Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School           

Outstanding Educator in a Specialized Area
Scott Williams, Douglass High School

Outstanding Middle School Educator
Courtney Haas, Gentry Middle School          

Outstanding Beginning Teacher
Alejandra Alderete, Blue Ridge Elementary School

Outstanding Administrator
Jennifer Wingert, Grant Elementary School

 

Honorees receive a $1,500 cash award and an engraved silver tray. 

You can watch video from the surprise visits on CPS-TV.  

About Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence
The fund began through the work of the late Ray and Jeanne Lewis, with an initial contribution and extensive fundraising efforts. The late Mr. Lewis was a local attorney and former Board of Education member. The late Mrs. Lewis was a former teacher.  Thanks to the contributions and support from individuals, businesses and organizations, Columbia’s best educators continued to be recognized each year for their contributions to young people.