Kimberely Gilles named finalist for national education award
Kimberley Gilles to be recognized by the NEA Foundation at its annual Salute to Excellence in Education Awards Gala in February.
The following is an official Press Release from The NEA Foundation.
WASHINGTON, DC (November 20, 2013) – Kimberley Gilles, a language arts educator at Monte Vista High School in Danville, CA, will receive the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, $10,000, and recognition as one of the nation’s top educators at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Awards Gala to be held on Feb. 7, 2014 in Washington, DC.
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence are given annually at the Foundation’s black-tie event— known as the Academy Awards of public education— that attracts more than 800 national leaders from the public education, philanthropic, and business sectors. The awards recognize, reward, and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession.
“Kimberley has been selected for this award by her peers because she has attained the highest teaching standards, as shown by her exemplary instruction, advocacy for the profession, attention to diversity, leadership in professional development, and engagement of parents and community,” said Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “Honoring these educators is our way of thanking them for their excellent work.”
Gilles was nominated for the award by the California Teachers Association (CTA), the state’s National Education Association affiliate.
“Part of Kimberley’s great ability in teaching is her attention to diversity,” said Dean E. Vogel, president of CTA. “Diversity is integrated into the text books she chooses, the music she selects, the model essays she presents, and even the decor of her classroom.”
The four other finalists are:
- Eileen Sheehy, an Advanced Placement government and politics and U.S. government educator at Billing West High School in Billings, MT;
- Kathleen Sims, an early childhood special education and school readiness educator at Foley Elementary School in Foley, MN;
- Brian Sites, a social studies, mathematics, and technology educator at River’s Edge High School in Richland, WA;
- Christopher Stone, a language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science educator at Pond Hill School in Wallingford, CT.
“We are pleased to honor these five teachers with the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence,” said Marita Zuraitis, President and CEO of Horace Mann. “These educators teach a variety of topics, each playing an instrumental role in making sure the children of tomorrow are well-educated. Horace Mann is proud to showcase the great work done by these educators.”
In addition to the recognition, students and educators at the awardees’ school will receive digital arts training from the Pearson Foundation. Video profiles of the awardees will be produced during the trainings and featured at the awards gala.
The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards with support from NEA Member Benefits, the Horace Mann Companies, the Pearson Foundation, and California Casualty.
For the first time, this year, on Feb. 7, 2014, the NEA Foundation will live stream the event on its website, enabling students, peers, and families of the awardees to join in the celebration.
The NEA Foundation
The NEA Foundation is a public charity supported by contributions from educators’ dues, corporate sponsors, and others who support public education initiatives. We support student success by helping public school educators work with key partners to build strong systems of shared responsibility. Visit www.neafoundation.org for more information.
