MARC ALVAREZ Mr.

Alvarez, the Photography teacher at Central High School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport schools for twelve years. Mr. Alvarez instructs his students in far more disciplines than just learning the art of photography. His students incorporate math and language arts skills in all their projects. His hands-on projects allow the students creative license to create works of art through photography. He and his students take responsibility for designing the flyers and posters for school events and providing posters of the students art work to display in the halls. Mr. Alvarez was nominated by Patricia Church who states, Marc is a talented artist himself and conveys his passion to his students on a daily basis. DAWN BAGWELL Ms. Bagwell, a seventh & eighth grade Math teacher at Multicultural Magnet School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport schools for eight years. Her teaching strategies include students helping each other with difficult problems. Her students work on monthly projects such as Math in the News finding articles that connect the use of Math to everyday life. Her Math students consistently are among the highest achieving students on the CMTs and continue to place first in the districts Math Meet. Ms Bagwell works with other Math teachers in the district to discuss interdisciplinary projects and methods of helping struggling students. Ms. Bagwell was nominated by Monica Tarnowski and Sandra Sarmiento, who said, It is not unusual for her former students to return to thank her for instilling in them sound Math skills and helping them succeed in high school. 2012 BEARD EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS

KATHLEEN SULLIVAN
Ms. Sullivan, an eleventh grade Chemistry teacher at Central High School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport schools for three years. Ms. Sullivans classroom is not a static environment. It is designed for interactive work, shared project development, and the use of multiple kinds of manipulatives to concretize abstract concepts. Ms. Sullivan is instrumental in her data team using student work to change teaching practices that will have a positive impact on student learning. She has been described by her professors and her colleagues as one of the most intelligent, devoted, and dynamic educators they have ever known. Ms. Sullivan states, I have become a better teacher because of all the wonderful teachers I have had the opportunity to observe and to work with. It is my goal to maximize student engagement, pride, and overall enjoyment of science.

RONALD JONES 2012 BEARD EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS

Mr. Jones, an eighth grade Math teacher at Read School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport schools for eleven years. Ron has been on the cutting edge of using technology with his students for many years. He continues to use technology to asses the progress of his students enabling him to make sure all students understand new Math concepts. Mr. Jones is a member of the school leadership team, mentors potential Math teachers from Sacred Heart, coaches the basketball team and is the DJ for all the school dances. He has implemented many activities to bring parents into the school and parents volunteer to help him with special projects. Mr. Jones was nominated by Mark Osenko who said, Ron goes above and beyond to help all teachers, to make parents feel welcome, and especially to ensure all his students are Math ready for high school.

CANDICE KING SADLER

Ms. King Sadler, a first grade teacher at Cesar Batalla School, has been a teacher in the Bridgeport schools for six years. Ms. King Sadler manages her classroom of first grade students who are on multiple reading levels by creating learning circles. She is able to assess her students understanding of reading and math concepts at every lesson before they progress to the next level. Working with parents is key to the success of her students. Ms. King Sadler welcomes parents into her classroom and has a core group that come to her classroom on a regular basis to help with and to plan special projects. Ms. King Sadler states, Just because a teacher teaches doesnt mean a student learns. I use data from both formal and informal assessments to fuel my instruction. I consider myself a good teacher because above all, I am a master at loving children.
JENNIFER LUCKART
Ms. Luckart, a Speech and Language Pathologist at Cesar Batalla School, has been working in the Bridgeport schools for eight years. Ms. Luckart works with all the children who have speech and language difficulties. The school is particularly proud of the work Ms. Luckart has done with children with autism. Her implementation of an I Touch Lab has created a service delivery system that is dynamic, flexible and fluid in meeting the diverse needs of the children in her caseload within their classrooms. Ms. Luckart is committed to empowering other teachers and all parents on how to use technology as a relevant communication tool. Ms. Luckart was nominated by Teresa Cherry Cruz who stated, Ms. Luckart believes that when students have the skills to engage in social interaction that allows them to convey their thoughts and feelings, they will have reached the ultimate goal in attaining academic achievement.

HARRY SELTZER
Mr. Seltzer, a K-8 Social Worker at Multicultural and High Horizons Magnet School, has been working in the Bridgeport schools for twenty-three years. Most of Mr. Seltzers work with students is in small groups and individual sessions. Mr. Seltzer is extremely successful in identifying solutions for students who have difficulty with behavior and academic issues. His solutions offer optimism for parents and academic assistance for the students. His effective questioning strategies allow ownership, understanding, and support from families and their children. Mr. Seltzer is a key component for organizing all sorts of activities for the students and for parents and staff. Mr. Seltzer was nominated by Helen Moran and Melissa Jenkins who wrote, Mr. Seltzer encompasses all the ethical qualities of a professional: integrity, honor, fairness, commitment, dedication, and respect. We are so fortunate to have him working in our schools. MONICA TARNOWSKI Ms. Tarnowski, a sixth grade Reading and Math specialist at Multicultural Magnet School, has been teaching in the Bridgeport schools for nine years. Ms. Tarnowski has very clear expectations for all her students and has three rules that must be followed each day; respect yourself, respect others, and do your best. Her patient and caring demeanor encourages all her students to participate and to take risks. Her peer tutoring has been very effective in keeping everyone on track and at the appropriate grade level. Additionally, Ms. Tarnowski is the advisor for the National Junior Honor Society and a key organizer of food and clothing drives and in visiting the elderly in the neighboring housing development. Ms. Tarnowski was nominated by Nitza Rua who wrote, Ms. Tarnowski is a true team player and has rapport with all her colleagues. She is humble, patient and a great mentor to all teachers.

ELIZABETH M. PFRIEM CIVIC AWARD

The golden apple lapel pin was designed as a special award to honor one of the founders of the BPEF, Elizabeth M. Pfriem. Her quiet, unassuming commitment to child advocacy has inspired others to take a more active role in the lives of children, to be generous without concern for recognition, and to make a personal investment in the improvement of public education. MS. SUSAN HITCHCOCK, Manager of Community Affairs at Sikorsky Aircraft, is a true advocate for education. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund for twelve years and was Chair of the Board for three years. Her skills in marketing have been invaluable to the success of our publications, the creation of our 25th anniversary video, and

our fundraising efforts. Additionally, Ms. Hitchcock organizes backpack drives as back to school gifts for Bridgeport students and helps facilitate the business partnership with the school district.

GEORGE BELLINGER LEADERSHIP AWARD The George Bellinger Leadership Award was established in 2004 to honor
the memory of BPEF Board Member George Bellinger. This annual award is presented to a Principal in the Bridgeport Public Schools who best replicates the ability of George Bellinger to foster and recognize good leadership.

MS. HELEN MORAN, has been working in the Bridgeport School district for thirty-four years. She has been a bi-lingual teacher, a teacher of the Talented and Gifted, a Vice Principal, and has been Head Principal of Multicultural Magnet School for six years. Her integrity and thoughtful communication has brought the students, parents, teachers, and community leaders together to promote academic success. Under her leadership the Multicultural Magnet School has been recognized for high academic achievement by the Lone Pine Foundation and CONN CAN.