Cheyenne teacher, Lisa Esquibel, receives the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence
Lisa Esquibel, a kindergarten teacher at Davis Elementary School in Cheyenne, WY, will receive the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, $10,000, and recognition as one of the nation’s top five educators at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to be held on February 10, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Known as the Academy Awards of public education, the gala features award presentations that recognize, reward, and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. Of the 35 educators who were nominated by their NEA state affiliates, only five were awarded the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. One of those five awardees will be the recipient of one of public education’s most prestigious honors, The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, which comes with an additional $25,000 award. This award will be announced at the gala in February.
“Lisa Esquibel has been selected for the award by her peers because she has attained the highest standards of the profession, as shown by her exemplary instruction, advocacy for public education, a commitment to diversity, and engagement of parents and the community,” said Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “Honoring these educators is our way of thanking them for their excellent work.”
“We exist as a company to support those who take care of our children’s future, and the teachers we’re honoring with this award are the best of the best,” said Horace Mann President and CEO, Pete Heckman. “We salute them for their commitment and thank them for making a difference every day. Our collective future is brighter because of them.”
Esquibel was nominated for the award by the Wyoming Education Association, that state’s National Education Association affiliate. Along with her degree in Elementary Education, Lisa has her Master’s degree. She is also certified in ESL (English as a Second Language) and middle school education. She is a past president of the Cheyenne Teachers Education Association and a member of the WEA Board of Directors.
“Lisa exemplifies teaching excellence in Wyoming,” said WEA President, Kathryn Valido. “She is dedicated to public education and her profession, but most importantly to her students. WEA is delighted that she is being recognized for her accomplishments and dedication.”
The other four recipients of the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence are:
Jonathan Gillentine - a Pre-K teacher at Reverend Benjamin Parker School in Kaneohe, HI
o National Board Certified and holds a PhD;
Cara Haney – a kindergarten teacher at Panther Lake Elementary in Kent, WA
o National Board Certified and holds a Master’s degree;
Danielle Kovach – a third grade special education teacher at Hopatcong Public Schools in Hopatcong, NJ
o Holds two Master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Technology;
Jeffry Peneston – a ninth grade earth sciences teacher at Liverpool High School in Liverpool, NY
o Is currently a PHd candidate.
In addition to the recognition, students and educators at Davis Elementary School will receive digital arts training from the Pearson Foundation. Video profiles of the awardees will be produced during the trainings and presented at the gala in February to an audience of 850 national leaders from the fields of public education, philanthropy, and various business sectors. The video of the profiles of last year’s finalists can be viewed at neafoundation.org
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.