Schools
Cincinnati Finalists Announced For 14th Annual Educator Of The Year Award
The winner of the 2020 Hawkins Award will be announced on May 7.
May 5, 2020
Western & Southern Financial Group has announced 20 finalists for the 2020 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award. Finalists were chosen from nominations submitted by CPS teachers and administrators.
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2020 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Finalists:
| Kathryn Arinsmier Districtwide Mentor | Michelle Leisgang Woodford Paideia Academy |
| Justin Broyles Cheviot School | Beverly Mallory Withrow University High School |
| Glen Calhoun Rees E. Price Academy | Carrie McCarthy Woodward Career Technical High School |
| Adam Cooper Withrow University High School | Jennifer Miller Fairview-Clifton German Language School |
| Shirley Easley Chase School | Suzanne Nall Woodford Paideia Academy |
| Lisa Good Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School | Aaron Parker Aiken High School |
| Carrie Hess-Wilson Western Hills University High School | Alice Pixley-Young The School for Creative and Performing Arts |
| Stacey Hill-Simmons Evanston Academy | Deidre Simpson Evanston Academy |
| Candace Jones Woodward Career Technical High School | ShaDonn Stewart Pleasant Ridge Montessori School |
| Megan Kreaps Gilbert A. Dater High School | Elizabeth Thole Western Hills University High School |
The award, established by Western & Southern in 2007, honors one educator each year in Cincinnati Public Schools who has elevated the educational process in the district to an exceptional level through personal commitment, dedicated focus and outstanding results.
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The winner of the 2020 Hawkins Award will be announced May 7.
"Western & Southern is grateful for the commitment of the educators in the Cincinnati Public School system in addressing one of the most important challenges facing our society today — preparing our children for the future," said John F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern. "The Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award is a way for us to recognize and reward these educators for their hard work in helping children excel in the classroom and beyond."
Past recipients of the award (listed with their schools at time of award):
- Erin Kernohan, Midway School, 2019
- Jo Guido, Clark Montessori High School, 2018
- Belinda Wallace, Rockdale Academy, 2017
- Melissa Estell, Woodford Paideia Academy, 2016
- Krista Taylor, Gamble Montessori High School, 2015
- Mary Beth Platen, Fairview-Clifton German Language School, 2014
- Harrison Collier, Jr., Walnut Hills High School, 2013
- Kathleen Donohoue, Sayler Park Elementary, 2012
- Barbara J. James, Riverview East Academy, 2011
- Nancy L. Johnson, CPS Turnaround Team, 2010
- Angela Roddy, a consulting teacher for CPS, 2009
- Kimya Moyo, Aiken College & Career High School, 2008
- Sharon Johnson, Withrow University High School, 2007
Western & Southern's inspiration for establishing the award in 2007 was Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins, a renowned educator in Cincinnati who served as a distinguished member of the Western & Southern board of directors for many years.
He worked as both an educator and administrator at CPS before joining the University of Cincinnati faculty where he founded the College of Community Affairs. Hawkins served on several local community and business boards, and was named a Great Living Cincinnatian in 1989 by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce.
This press release was produced by Cincinnati Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
