The CPS Foundation is pleased to announce the 2020 Operations Employee of the Year, Educator of the Year Runner-Up and Educator of the Year.
The Operations Employee of the Year Award was created to recognize district employees who excel in their service to the teacher and students of CPS, for the contributions that better the quality and advancement of CPS.
Nominations for the Operations Employee of the Year were accepted from CPS staff, students, school supporting organizations, and the general public. This year’s recipient will receive a $500 award given by Bob Markham, CHS Class of 1976 and his wife Chris and will be featured on the Wall of Fame in the Administration Building and recognized in local publications.
Operation employees are the glue that holds this District together. Because of the work that you do, you enable CPS to be a more efficient and more effective organization. Among the nominees eligible for consideration for the 2019 award, a committee from outside the school district selected three finalists based on the nominations received.
I am pleased to announce this year’s Operations Employee of the Year is Peggy Jones, Paraeducator at West Park Elementary.
Just like the operations employees we have educators in the District who also go above and beyond. Dedicating each day to creating opportunities and inspiring learning.
The CPS Foundation Educator of the Year Award was created to recognize CPS teachers for their dedication, knowledge, and skill in the classroom; their ability to gain the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues; the active and useful roles they play within the school and their community; and their talent for inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
Nominations for Educator of the Year were accepted from CPS staff, administrators, parents, students, school-supporting organizations, and the general public. The Educator of the Year will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the runner up a $500 cash prize sponsored by Columbus United Federal Credit Union. The recipients will also be recognized in local publications and the Educator of the Year will be featured on the Wall of Fame. The Educator of the Year will also go on to apply for the Nebraska Teacher of the Year Award, given by the Nebraska Department of Education.
The Runner Up for the 2020 Educator of the Year Award has been impacting the lives of our students for many years. This educator truly makes learning fun for students and supports the learning style of all students in the classroom. We are pleased to announce this year’s Educator of the Year Runner Up is Kristi Nelson, Special Education Teacher at Columbus Middle School.
The Winner of the 2020 Educator of the Year Award has changed the way they were teaching to better reach their students in their classroom. This educator makes learning fun for students and supports the learning style of all students in the classroom while embraces collaborative learning ideas of STEM. We would like to announce this year’s recipient is Brian Townsend, Science Teacher at Columbus High School.