2010 Salute to Excellence in Education
Spirits were high, the applause was thunderous, and the stomping was loud at The NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on Friday, April 30 at the best venue in the nation’s Capital, the National Building Museum. During the evening, more than 800 guests toasted master educators from across the country.
Student entertainment, which was in keeping with the gala’s eco-friendly theme, was alternatively playful and awe inspiring. The Trash Talk percussion ensemble—from Carlton J. Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia―vainly tried to teach the teachers their rhythms and used trash can, lids, and desks as musical instruments.
Roy Patton, Jr. one of The New Washingtonians— from Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC―performed an amazing rendition of America the Beautiful which nearly rendered the emcee speechless. “I am blown away,” said Philippe Cousteau, the Cofounder and CEO of EarthEcho International. “I can barely sing the alphabet.”
Dora the Explorer joined Jean Margaret Smith, a Nickelodeon Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Administration, on stage to accept The NEA Foundation Award for Philanthropy in Public Education. Maureen Smith, President of the Jane Goodall Institute---USA, accepted The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education on Dr. Goodall’s behalf.
Educators from 38 states received The Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence and were cheered by their peers as they introduced themselves pageant style and in the spotlight. The four recipients of The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence went home with $10,000 in their pockets and the recipient of The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence got a check for $25,000. “I didn’t prepare any remarks,” a stunned Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh said when her name was announced at the evening’s end. “I really didn’t think I would get this award. What an honor to be recognized in this way by my peers.” The video profiles of the five top awardees can be viewed here.