Bright Lights’ in Education Acknowledged for National Teacher Appreciation Week
DODGEVILLE, Wis., May 5 /PRNewswire/ — What makes a great teacher? According to the almost 5,000 essay entries in the 2008 Lands’ End “Teachers Light the Way” contest, a great teacher has an impact that goes far beyond the classroom. In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Lands’ End is announcing the 45 Teachers Light the Way award recipients — one representing each year of the company’s 45-year history. These exceptional educators were nominated because they have made a difference in the life of a student, a school or a community and they will each receive the coveted Lands’ End Lighthouse Award. Four teachers have been recognized as Grand Prize Winners and will each receive a cash prize as well as a matching cash prize for their school. The contest is also recognizing 41 teachers as Honorable Mention Award Winners and presenting them with a Lands’ End Gift Card. For writing and submitting a winning essay, those that nominated an award recipient will also receive a Lands’ End Gift Card.
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“We were so moved by the winning essays as well as by each teacher’s ongoing dedication to their students,” said David McCreight, President, Lands’ End. “We received almost 5,000 entries representing the brightest lights in education. While they were all amazing, we selected 45 of these everyday heroes that enlighten, empower and inspire our children both in and out of the classroom.”
The Grand Prize Winners are:
First Grand Prize Winner
Mary Ladner — A teacher who keeps the magic of learning alive — even during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Mary Ladner, a teacher from Pass Christian (Miss.) Elementary, was nominated by her sister, Suzi Hand. Suzi writes, “Mary’s classroom is alive! (Students) sing their compass points, curl up reading in a converted claw-footed bathtub and hatch chicks from eggs.” Even the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, which closed four campuses in the Pass Christian school district, didn’t stop Mary Ladner’s creativity and energetic teaching style. She counts her two-story home as a blessing and has housed countless disaster volunteers for months on end and even a fellow teacher for three years. In her sister’s words, Mary is “a light that does not allow darkness to prevail in her students’ hearts or the community she so dearly loves.”
As the first grand prize winner, Ladner and her school each receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Second Grand Prize Winner
Jim Leiner — A teacher who founded a school for autism.
Maria Medved, a parent of a student at Pioneer Day School in San Diego, Calif., nominated the school’s founder and teacher, Jim Leiner. Leiner opened the school in 2003 to serve children with autism. According to Medved, “He finds the light in each child, and helps them find it, too. He’s lighting the way in nonprofit autism education in San Diego.”
As the second grand prize winner, Leiner and his school each receive a $3,000 cash prize.
Third Grand Prize Winner
Kim Baylor — A teacher who motivated 54 high school students to complete a half marathon.
Principal Ted Daughtrey of Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., nominated physical education teacher Kim Baylor, who is known for visiting students at their homes on weekends as part of a mentoring effort. In addition, Baylor motivated 54 students to run a half marathon. Daughtrey writes, “In my 28 years in education, I have never seen one person’s enthusiasm and commitment result in an effort as this that involved students, parents, staff and community members. This was a life-changing experience for many of our students.”
Third Grand Prize Winner
Mary Ellen Sullivan — A teacher at a rural school who shows her students they “can.”
As a volunteer tutor in her classroom, Linda Lewis has seen firsthand the “treasure” that is Mary Ellen Sullivan of Camden (Miss.) Elementary. Says Lewis, “I have watched her take a group of children that some might say are unteachable and guide them to become productive students and model citizens in the school.”
In an exciting turn of events, the judges of the contest are awarding two third prize awards, so Baylor and Sullivan — and each of their schools — will receive a $2,000 cash prize.
Honorable Mention Winners
Forty-one additional teachers have been recognized for being a “bright light,” receiving honorable mentions in education. Each of these teachers will receive a $100 Lands’ End Gift Card and those who nominated them will each receive a $25 Gift Card.
Anne Nutt The American School for the Deaf West Hartford, CT
Angela Bronson Balboa Magnet Elementary Northridge, CA
John Goegel Belmont High School Belmont, NH
Maria Perez Blessed Trinity Elementary School Miami Springs, FL
Chris Perpich Branch Brook School Newark, NJ
Jennifer Freeman Cherry Hills Christian School Highlands Ranch, CO
Ann Scotland Chester M. Stephens Elementary Budd Lake, NJ
Miriam Sicherman Children’s Workshop School New York, NY
Thomas Jeter Crockett Elementary School Brentwood, TN
Helen Graf East Rowan High School Salisbury, NC
Brigid Michaud Eisenhower Elementary Vancouver, WA
Darcy Mahler E.J. Swint School Jonesboro, GA
Keri McLaughlin Forest Avenue Elementary Middletown, RI
Dr. Kennan Buechter Forrest Co. Agricultural Brooklyn, MS
High School
Joel Block George Mason High School Falls Church, VA
Tim Decker Gibson Island Country School Pasadena, MD
Leeann Wenkman Glenn Harmon Elementary Arlington, TX
Lynn Barnes-Wallace Hage Elementary School San Diego, CA
Cindy Fish Horn Academy Bellaire, TX
Faustin N’Tala International School of Indiana Indianapolis, IN
Julie Vercillo James J. Chittick School Mattapan, MA
Mary Carter Taylor John Small Elementary School Washington, NC
Scott Burt Keshequa High School Nunda, NY
Margaret Calabrese Lafayette Street School Newark, NJ
Patricia Carpenter Lebanon Christian School Lebanon, OH
James Spadafore Liverpool High School Liverpool, NY
Belle Buitron Moises Vela Middle School Harlingen, TX
Alan Tepper North Bend Elementary School North Bend, WA
Candace Townsley Owasso Sixth Grade Center Owasso, OK
Melissa Knechel Penn Christian Academy Norristown, PA
Nori Lindberg Pioneer Elementary Davis, CA
Sylvia Glauster Queen Anne School Upper Marlboro, MD
Brian Daly Rose Hill Elementary Kirkland, WA
Travis Schwarzbach Seaside Neighborhood School Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Steven King Shepherd Elementary Washington DC
Martha Maple Shreve Island Elementary Shreveport, LA
Cheryl Hickman Spanish Fort Elementary Spanish Fort, AL
Doreen Holland Spring Garden Nutley, NJ
Dona Nimer The Swift School Roswell, GA
Beth Olive Tom Joy Elementary Nashville, TN
Leigh Hembd Wonewoc Center Schools Wonewoc, WI
More About Teachers Light the Way Awards
Lands’ End held the Teachers Light the Way Contest from March 17 through midnight April 17, 2008. Those who wanted to recognize an extraordinary teacher that has offered exemplary guidance were asked to fill out the online entry form and submit a 50 to 500 word essay. Nominated teachers were judged and selected based upon essay submissions.
About Lands’ End
Lands’ End(R) is one of the world’s largest merchants of casual and tailored clothing for women, men, children and infants around the world. Most recently Lands’ End launched its 2008 Swim collection. Lands’ End merchandise can be purchased online at http://www.landsend.com/, by calling 1-800-800-5800 and by visiting the Lands’ End Shops at Sears. Lands’ End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD) . And, all high-quality Lands’ End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.(R)
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Source: Lands’ End
CONTACT: Michele Casper of Lands’ End, +1-608-935-4633,
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Web site: http://www.landsend.com/
