Five Renton teachers have been selected as winners of the 2011 Ahead of the Class Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by the Renton Chamber of Commerce.
Friends, family, students and members of the Renton community will honor the teachers at a special awards ceremony 7 – 9 p.m. April 12 at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center and Renton High School Commons.
This year’s winners are:
• Kilty Keaton, fourth grade, Maplewood Heights Elementary School
Keaton was nominated by a student’s parent, who said “she takes the time to know her students, [is] responsive and communicative to parents, and really enjoys her role as an educator.”
• Kim Menon, kindergarten, Lakeridge Elementary School
Menon was nominated by a colleague, who said “when working with students, she is positive and encourages students to work at their highest potential.”
• Sara Olson, physical education/leadership, Renton High School
A student, who nominated her, had this to say about Olson: “She is the hardest working teacher that I have ever been taught by and I think she definitely deserves this award.”
• Lynn Simpson, fourth grade, Lakeridge Elementary School.
Simpson was nominated by a colleague, who said “Lynn is passionate about her students and their success.”
• Adam Swinney, eighth grade language arts, Dimmitt Middle School
Swinney was nominated by a colleague and past Ahead of the Class winner. They had this to say about him: “He has helped add rigor to our eighth grade language arts curriculum and he constantly looks for opportunities to challenge students.”
Each teacher will receive a $500 cash award and special honors at the award ceremony, which is open to the public.
More than 100 teachers and nine teams of teachers from throughout the Renton area were nominated this year. Two committees, consisting of community and business leaders, reviewed applications and conducted personal interviews with the teachers to select this year’s winners.
The selection criteria for naming the award winners are based on national standards for teaching.
The Ahead of the Class award program is a partnership between the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton public and private schools, and Renton businesses. The program’s aim is to enhance community awareness of the excellence of education in Renton.
Emcee for this years ceremony is Seattle Seahawks spokesperson Tony Ventrella and entertainment will be provided by students from the Renton School District under the leadership of band teacher David Rolandson, a previous award winner.
To RSVP or for more information, call the chamber at 425-226-4560 or visit www.GoRenton.com.
