Third Annual Excellence Awards Gala 'Outta This World'

"This is outta this world," said Excellence Award recipient Celisa Edwards outfitted in the Star Trek uniform she wears daily as a way to motivate her students to excell in science at Madison Middle School in Hollywood. "We have definitely boldly gone where no teachers have gone before and we're going to keep on going."

From the Star Trek universe to cleaning up the environment, improving literacy and increasing parent and community involvement in schools, outstanding teachers, schools and school communities were honored May 17 by the Los Angeles Educational Partnership for their exemplary teaching practices at the third annual Excellence Awards gala in downtown Los Angeles.

"The teachers, schools and school communities that have been selected for the 2001 Excellence Awards have gone the extra mile to ensure that students are learning, achieving and exceeding their potential," said Susan Way-Smith, president and CEO of LAEP. "The Excellence Awards recipients are proof that we can succeed in improving student learning in low income urban schools. Their successes should be heralded by our community and stand as an example to educators everywhere."

The Excellence Awards highlight the accomplishments of teachers, schools and school communities in the Los Angeles Unified School District that have enhanced student learning and achievement in pre-K through 12th grade. They also honor the efforts of educators and recognize their achievements while also promoting educational techniques and practices that can be used by other educators to engage students in the classroom.

"We are so proud of our team," said Santa M. Campuzano, principal at Braddock Drive Elementary School, recipients of an exemplary school community award for its success in increasing parent involvment at the school. "Everyone here played a part in us winning this award."

The Excellence Awards were developed by LAEP with the funding and support of The Ahmanson Foundation. The Awards provide grants of up to $10,000 to eight teams of teachers, four schools and three school communities that have been successful in improving student learning and achievement. More than a quarter of a million dollars has been awarded to educators since the program began in 1999. While funds may be used at the discretion of the recipients for academic purposes, many award winners have used the funds to purchase classroom materials and books, to fund staff development, or to bolster community based projects.

Excellence Awards recipients were selected from applications submitted by teachers, schools and school communities in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Award recipients were selected based on the measurable impact they documented in student achievement and the practices used by teachers, at the school site, or in the community. Award winners were selected from those applicants who best exemplified the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and could document student progress and achievement. A committee of successful educators and active community members reviewed the applications and visited the school sites and classrooms before the winners were selected.

In making the selections, LAEP drew from applications that documented significant improvements in achievement in reading, mathematics, and language skills. Improvements in attendance, levels and effectiveness of parental and community participation, and evidence of ongoing exemplary educational practices in the use of standards, student assessment and instructional techniques were considered.

The Excellence Awards reflect the belief of LAEP that excellence in education requires quality teaching, well-managed schools and strong connections between schools and their communities. The Awards are designed to support and foster improvements in public education in each of these areas.

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