Staunton, VA – On November 16th, the Community Foundation will host the 17th Annual Dawbarn Education Awards. The reception and awards ceremony will be held in the Shenandoah Ballroom of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, and approximately 200 people are expected to attend. There are ten recipients of the 2010 Dawbarn Awards, and each will attend the ceremony with family, friends and colleagues to celebrate their achievements and receive a check for $9,000. The Dawbarn Awards celebrate and reward exceptional individuals in the Community of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. Established in 1992 by H. Dunlop “Buz” Dawbarn, the annual award ceremony has become one of the Community Foundation’s signature events. The purpose of this fund is to improve public education in our community. As was the intent of Mr. Dawbarn, ten awards are made each year to:

Classroom teachers of pre-school, elementary, and secondary students enrolled in the public schools that have most successfully inspired, encouraged, and fostered learning among the students under their charge.Individuals (including parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, school bus drivers, mentors, volunteers, or any other individuals) who have demonstrated a commitment to inspiring, encouraging, and fostering the education of young people.Persons who, by successful and effective mentoring and tutoring, have encouraged young women to remain and succeed in school.

The event is a celebration of individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to inspiring belief in the importance of education and learning, encouraging good citizenship and personal responsibility, and fostering high standards of achievement in learning among the young people of our public schools.

The Dawbarn Education Awards are the result of a fund “Buz” Dawbarn established with the foundation. The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is a non-profit organization that provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. As one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the Central Blue Ridge, we are committed to careful stewardship and thoughtful investment in our region’s future. Unlike other non-profit organizations, we are endowed in perpetuity. Now, with more than 80 funds and $10 million in assets, The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge distributes more than $450,000 annually to the community in awards, grants and scholarships. We work with individuals, families, non-profit organizations and others to establish permanent charitable legacies to respond to needs in the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and Augusta, Nelson, and Highland Counties of Virginia.

2010 Dawbarn Education Award Recipients

Rodney Bowers – P.E. Teacher and Football Coach, Stuarts Draft High School

Rod Bowers is the football coach at Stuarts Draft High School. Strangely enough, there was almost nothing in the many pages of praise that were sent in with his nomination that mentioned football. Instead, there were countless stories of students he has befriended, encouraged, and inspired. Students he meets with daily to counsel and help make good choices, students he has persuaded to finish high school and go on to college, and above all, students whom he has convinced that despite the many challenges they face growing up, they are worthy people and can turn their lives into something positive. One of many examples was a young man who had given up on himself and was determined to drop out of school. Rod Bowers became his personal mentor and helped him turn his life around. Today, this former student is happily married, has two beautiful children, and is employed by the Sheriff’s Department. To say that Coach Bowers knows his students well is putting it mildly – he knows their families, other activities in which they are involved, what church they attend, their plans for the future, and even, as one colleague added “the names of the family pets!”

In addition to all this, it is not only Rod Bowers’ students who are motivated and inspired by him. His fellow teachers feel the same. As one colleague noted, “The field of teaching has become very difficult in our society. Many teachers experience ‘burn out’ or a mediocre attitude towards their profession. Not Rod Bowers. He comes to school everyday with a warm smile, enthusiasm for every endeavor in which he is involved, and a rare attribute… excitement for learning. All this is done with complete sincerity on Mr. Bowers’ part. Personally, when I feel tired or frustrated with my job, I seek out Coach Bowers first thing in the morning. He is what I call my “Reset Button” in the field of education.”

It’s true. Rod Bowers is the Football Coach at his school. But the main lessons he teaches have nothing to do with pass plays or making tackles. Instead, his focus is on teaching his students to develop integrity and perseverance in all areas of their lives. He inspires his players, his colleagues, and our community to never underestimate what can be accomplished with heart and drive.

Deborah D. Hawkins – Language Arts Teacher, Stewart Middle School

Debbie Hawkins is a 7th Grade Language Arts teacher, and in the words of her school’s principal, she has been blessed with the “IT” factor. “IT” is the god-given ability to connect with her students on a personal level and to foster relationships that provide her with the opportunity to encourage, inspire, and cultivate a love of learning. This connection to her kids starts with a chair by her desk where students sit while she is listening, guiding, advising, or dishing out some tough love. The other students in the room are not privy to the conversation, but they witness the care and concern that each individual receives, and know that they will all have a turn with Mrs. Hawkins.

This encouragement extends far beyond the classroom, and students never know where they might find Debbie Hawkins – in the stands at a football game, along the lines of a soccer match, at the restaurant where they work, or in the audience of a play – because from the time they enter 7th grade, Mrs. Hawkins is one of the best role models, cheerleaders, coaches, supporters, motivators, and, oh yes, teachers, that they will ever have. As her students will tell you, “Ms. Hawkins may only teach us for 180 days a year, but she is there for us for a lifetime!” This dedication is well-evidenced in the scores of graduation announcements she receives every year from former students.

As one parent said, “How can you say enough about someone who creates a classroom of students who are excited to be in class and learn every day?” Debbie Hawkins works this magic with positive encouragement for ALL her students, excellent feedback to parents and guardians, and a classroom that is fun, interactive, and enriching. Whether it is a fieldtrip to the Blackfriar’s Playhouse, an innovative “campfire” in the classroom where students sit around, read their Wild West story projects, and eat s’mores, or her after school workshops for kids needing more attention, Debbie Hawkins is always looking for new techniques and ideas to help her students. Her dedication is summed up well by one of her colleagues who said, “Teaching in the same classroom as Mrs. Hawkins is not a job. It is both a privilege and a pleasure. Where else are you allowed to interact with the minds of 90 thirteen-year-olds on a daily basis AND observe creativity at its best? As they say in the commercial – this opportunity is priceless.”

Deborah A. Winters – Program Director, Ride with Pride, Inc.

Debbie Winters has a passion for special people. Since 1975 she has worked with special needs individuals in residential settings, treatment foster care, and therapeutic riding programs. She is currently the Director of Ride with Pride, and while most of us may find the prospect of putting an intellectually, physically, or emotionally disabled child on top of a 2,000 pound animal, Debbie Winters uses that medium to give these children the rarified experience of being totally free of their handicaps. She is a master of helping kids conquer their fears, enhance their self esteem, learn new interpersonal skills, and experience success. Her unique program fills a hole left vacant by limited budgets to meet the needs of a special population with varying disabilities. She works in conjunction with local schools and programs to offer alternatives to children who are at-risk in traditional educational environments. While it may seem strange to many, working with horses has allowed these children to find value in their lives. They learn to work for what they want, and to value the things they work for. They learn to help others along the way, and appreciate the help they receive. They learn that college can be a reality as they define who they are and what they want to become.

The alternative education programs that Debbie has created transform kids who never before had a place to belong. They are welcomed with open arms, given acceptance and understanding, make new friends, and learn the value of honesty and responsibility. While there are many stories of her successes floating around our community, one particularly poignant one involved a local high school student that was violently reactive at school, had been suspended multiple times, and was working towards quickly destroying his life. At the request of the Community Services Board, Debbie created an alternative education program for him, and after working with him for six months, helped him turn his life around. He is now an honor roll senior, looking forward to graduation and college. This story is but one amongst many. As a former colleague stated, “In my 37 years of experience, I have been privileged to hear many heart-warming stories from returning ‘grownup’ children. But I have not heard more speak to the special importance of a particular person than I hear in reference to Debbie Winters. They come back and credit her and her program with where they are now. It was the point in their lives, they say, when change began to happen, when purpose and direction took hold. This was when an educator made all the difference.”

Russ Laub – P.E. Teacher, Bessie Weller Elementary School

Russ Laub is a Physical Education teacher at Bessie Weller Elementary School. A PE teacher may not be the first thought when looking at teachers who make a difference. PE is not normally academic, not SOL tested and not AYP measured. The contributions Russ Laub makes to his entire school go far beyond his subject matter. He makes a difference in the lives of the children he teaches and in the lives of everyone in his school. These accolades contribute to Russ being the 2009-2010 Bessie Weller and Staunton City Teacher of the Year.

Russ works with every teacher in the school to ensure that he supports and integrates what they teach in his classes. In the gym you will see kids jumping and hopping while counting or adding or multiplying. Daily, he intertwines thinking, problem-solving, and physical activity in ways that are fun and rewarding.

Seventy percent of his students come from poverty. Russ creates opportunities for these children that they are unable to enjoy in their homes. They participate in jump roping and cup stacking, and he takes them to visit colleges where the competitions are held. He takes their families, too. He embraced cup stacking because it provides visual and motor skill development. His team placed 2nd in team and 3rd in individual 2010 State finals.

Russ Laub catches “students being good”. He does so by being a role model and by encouraging each child to achieve. You will find him walking with a child who may have been absent the day before, asking another about homework, and offering positive rewards for students meeting and exceeding goals.

His principal says that during his first year as principal he had a real teammate in Mr. Laub. Russ plans team-building activities for faculty and encourages all of them to be active after school. Every summer he travels to Denver to volunteer for the National Wheelchair games, helping those with disabilities enjoy the benefits of staying active. He initiated the “Fitness Challenge” where students are recognized on a Wall of Fame with a picture and certificate for completing physical challenges.

Most of all, Russ is a life-long learner and teacher. He is a quiet humble man who shuns the spotlight and subtly touches the lives of children.

Brian Lundstrom – English Teacher, Kate Collins Middle School

A former student says that Mr. Lundstrom’s best advice was “Never give up.” He has inspired all of us to be better players, coaches, cheerleaders, teachers and leaders in our own community.

Students are always in the forefront as he researches, reads, probes and questions methodology to find the most effective ways of delivering instruction so it will be engaging and effective.

To challenge Honors English students, Mr. Lundstrom had them research, prepare and deliver a mock trial of two well-known trials. Students conducted interviews and researched in preparation for a trial held in Waynesboro District Court with the Honorable Humes Franklin, Jr. presiding. They published their results in a variety of technological ways. The authenticity of the project led many to compete on the Debate Team.

New teachers are guided by Brian’s inspiration. He leads the THRIVE committee which oversees the development and success of all new teachers. Seeing the need for good male role models for students, Brian researched, found, developed and conducted the All Pro Dad program. They meet monthly to build relationships and positive interactions. This program is not solely for KCMS, but has grown to include all students in Waynesboro Public Schools. Students are not only Brian’s responsibility; they become his family.

As Girl’s Basketball Coach at KCMS, he talks to the team about the game and about their academics. Brian mentors all student athletes. His coaching extends beyond the basketball court, to the game of life.

A colleague recalls a poignant example of Brian’s work with children. “When a student, having a particularly difficult time, lost control of her emotions, no one could calm her down. That is, until she found the safety and glimpse of peace in the company of Brian Lundstrom. I watched as he gently talked to her, as he listened, as he knew the time to sit in silence. At that moment, I was more aware of his giftedness, not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor of young people.”

As Waynesboro City Schools’ Teacher of the Year, Brian has become a permanent, positive force in the lives of all he touches and teaches.

Elizabeth Williams – Agriculture Education Teacher, Fort Defiance High School

What makes Elizabeth Williams stand out, as a Dawbarn winner, is her impact on students and the path they take in life. As one student said, “Her dedication is overwhelming—she puts her students before everything.”

She sets expectations and high bars for achievement, and her students are challenged to reach them. She does not lower the standards for special education students; she differentiates their experience and helps them find a unique way to master the content.

A determined and expert grant writer, she secured $16,000 last year and with the materials and equipment gleaned, offered a variety of classes at FDHS, including Equine Management, Small Animal Care, Floral Design and Landscaping Design. As FFA Coach, she offers the opportunity to participate in activities to expand on what the team has learned. She inspires students to learn more. She implemented 8 new classes, expanding a broad curriculum.

Taking a class in order to drive a school bus enables Elizabeth to take her classes to farms and greenhouses. Her classroom knows no boundaries. Neither does Elizabeth. An example of her determination was her insistence to acquire a flower cooler a Harrisonburg florist was selling for a good price. She called to see if she could have it, if maintenance could check out the power source, if she could get a truck to pick it up. Well, now FDHS teachers and students have a ready source of fresh flower arrangements for sale, and are always finding students doing meaningful work.

Once, when interviewed for a newspaper article, she said: “I am a practical person and I want kids to take what they learn in class and apply it somewhere else. Because of what I teach, I apply it to daily life.” She leaves a footprint on the lives and in the path of hundreds of students.

Elizabeth has worked with BRCC to offer the first dual enrollment and web-based Horticulture class. She knew her students wanted a higher level of learning and worked with the college, county, Department of Education, parents and students in order to achieve that goal and opportunity.

One student was struggling with math, had limited motivation. He needed the class to earn his diploma. When offered a schedule change that might make math easier, he said he could NOT drop Mrs. William’s Landscaping class because it was too interesting and it was important for him to do well in her class. This was a dual enrollment class taken by some of his peers for college credit. In order to prevent the change, he worked hard, demonstrated motivation and was made high marks in both classes. This young man had become INSPIRED!

So inspiration, ingenuity, determination, and love of children and teaching have led Elizabeth Williams to FDHS, to Augusta County Teacher of the Year, and to this Dawbarn Award.

Vermell B. Grant – Assistant Superintendent, Waynesboro City Schools

Vermell Grant is a unique and wonderful part in the educational fabric of the Waynesboro Community. She began her journey as a student, experiencing personally the dramatic and difficult integration of the Waynesboro Public Schools in the 1960′s. She went on to become a teacher for over twenty years, a parent, an assistant principal, the first African American principal in the Shenandoah Valley, and today is the Assistant Superintendent of the Waynesboro Public Schools.

This impressive career path might have led many to an overblown ego, but Vermell Grant has remained committed, humble, and above all, compassionate. She has been known to give money to students and families who needed a helping hand, to drive home a custodian whose car broke down, even to provide grooming assistance to a student whose life was being affected by neglect. She does all these things while maintaining positive and non-judgmental relationships with parents and students alike.

As Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Grant’s official role these days is personnel and transportation. In spite of this, her days are filled with young people trying to balance the stresses of their lives today and their ambitions for tomorrow. As one individual stated, “Mrs. Grant has a way of turning a long-term suspension into an opportunity to reassess a life and open a door for another chance. Often, students and their parents enter central office with anger and despair on their faces. They leave a short time later with a concrete plan, a reignited sense of hope, and an assurance that our system cares about the individual. Mrs. Grant is the face of that system.”

There is no doubt that Vermell Grant has extraordinary talent for producing positive results. Within three years of becoming principal of William Perry Elementary School, she raised the SOL test scores from 40% to 90%. One of her colleagues joked that she did this just by walking down the hall, increasing student and teacher performance alike with her confidence and educational knowledge. Despite many other examples of professional success, one of the most poignant and prophetic stories came from a Federal Public Defender, who wrote: “Vermell Grant began teaching at the age of 13 in the basement of her uncle and aunt’s home. There were six indifferent students in the class and Vermell did her best to teach them reading and math. You may be wondering what happened to her first six students. All six graduated from college. Four have graduate degrees, including an MBA and a JD. Two are teachers and two have been principals. Not bad for a 13 year old teacher!” Just a taste of things to come.

Beverly Miller – Art Teacher, Wilson Memorial High School

Often, the first step for a good teacher is to impart enthusiasm to the student. In Beverly Miller’s art classes, enthusiasm abounds. She is described by her colleagues as “an outstanding classroom teacher.” She encourages participation in the arts by teaching at least three different levels of art each year, sponsoring an art club and the National Art Honor Society, and by providing opportunities for students to travel to galleries and museums. Beverly models her enthusiasm for art by showcasing her own work and by frequently inviting artists of varying mediums to her classroom. Under Beverly’s leadership, student enrollment in art has grown significantly.

Beverly is also able to enrich her students’ appreciation of art beyond the limits of their own community. Beverly was a recipient of two Fulbright Scholarships: Japan in 1999 and Kenya in 2006. She has brought countless resources into her classroom as a result of her experiences out of the country. She has also modeled humanitarian citizenship by coordinating charitable projects related to her most recent experiences in Kenya. These projects have been unique, marrying art as social commentary and social good.

Beverly is also a respected leader among her colleagues at Wilson Memorial High School. She has served as chairman of the Fine Arts Department and as a member of the Faculty Advisory committee. She is currently coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programs for Wilson. For five years, Beverly served as site coordinator for the High Schools that Work Initiative. This project promotes real-world application of academic and vocational skills, and helps to create a culture of high achievement for all students. Students at Wilson have reaped the benefits of their school’s participation in this national program.

Beverly is a teacher that is willing to “go the extra mile.” She has helped put together exhibitions that have included her own art as well as her students’. She has written and obtained grants when existing resources fell short. She has provided supplies for students. She has sponsored field trips. She has led day-long seminars (on her days off) in which students explore new mediums and techniques. She has offered advanced placement courses. She continues to support students after they graduate. One student wrote that Ms. Miller helped inspire him forge on at a time during college when he felt ready to give up on his education. With her strong leadership, outstanding teaching and artistic skills and dedication, Beverly Miller is truly deserving.

Julie McCray Turner – Fourth Grade Teacher, Hugh K. Cassell Elementary School

If one enters Julie Turner’s fourth grade classroom toward the end of the day, you will find her classroom quiet. During that time, Julie will be in her wooden rocking chair, the class gathered at her feet and attentively listening to her bringing a book to life. The classroom, however, is not quiet all day long. Julie’s students are often active and busy learning real life learning skills such as weaving scarves on looms, growing herbs to be used in cooking, making and enjoying homemade ice cream, building replicas of famous Virginia homes, singing famous Virginians’ songs, and creating artwork. She manages to do all of this with her class in the midst of helping them successfully master the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Julie has spent many years at Hugh K Cassell Elementary School in Augusta County. During that time she has been devoted to teaching and enriching the lives of the students there. She has successfully taught many students with various special needs, and at the same time, she has presented opportunities to enrich the education of those students who need extra challenges to stay actively engaged in school. She has been involved in Cassell’s talent shows and musical productions. She has provided after school tutoring for students struggling with SOLs. She helped construct a fish pond complete with plants, birdfeeders, fish, and snails. Her students help maintain this yearly. Colleagues have teased Julie that she may actually live at Hugh K Cassell.

Julie has also enhanced the education of children by volunteering in many other organizations. Julie became active in 4-H when her oldest son was young. She continues to be active with 4-H although that son is now in his 20s. She leads the Cassell 4-H club, which is very popular among Cassell 4th and 5th graders. She has also been actively involved with the Children’s Art Network, Ride with Pride, Future Farmers of America, and the Augusta Historical Society.

Julie has quietly touched the lives of many children and co-workers. In the words of one parent, “She nurtured my son as one would nurture a delicate flower, and she helped him blossom.” What a wonderful complement.

Doug Lane – Teacher and Band Director, Robert E. Lee High School

Teachers of great distinction are people of great passion. Their love of a subject is infectious and sacramental; infectious because students find the matter irresistible and sacramental because the teacher teaches as one called to a holy and venerable assignment to share something sublime, unutterably beautiful and life sustaining. One might struggle to make such a case on behalf of some subjects and the advocates that profess them. But our next honoree is a man so fully committed to the sacrament of music that it can scarcely be imagined that music is not the very center and substance of the world. Many of his students may testify to the affirming depth of his influence in confirming their joy in song, on horn and drum, with tubas and violas or pianos and vibraphones.

Indeed, in many instances these students have had to weather the discipline of performance even in scorching heat or chilly winds. One can only wonder that students so pained might nonetheless seek to serenade so exacting a teacher from his own front yard on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. He had touched them all in ways that had forever changed their lives. They had fallen irrevocably under the spell of music and music making. We are all the better for it. WHY?

In manner as kind as it was gentle he urged upon his students the charge to change the world with sound, to mark its festivals and its rites with melody, to stage its triumphs with the proper measure of rhythm, to signal accord with harmony and to alchemize the leaden ugly into golden dissonance. He showed them the splendor of the blues and the deep American character of jazz and took them places they might never have traveled except the thirst for the magic spring of so much song drew them on from Florida to Canada.

One former student now working as a professional musician in New Orleans has said what is easily repeated among so many similarly shaped by the man we honor tonight. “I never imagined when I began high school that I would learn to play the electric bass, the tuba, the tympani, chimes and marimba. [He] kept me on my toes and inspired me to open my mind to new possibilities.”

For these and more reasons than we have time to enumerate our committee was convinced of his just desert after a career of more than twenty years. It may even be forgiven him that he prefers Getz to Coltrane, for on this night let his name be sung by both gods of the tenor saxophone. His calling he has fulfilled with verve and virtuosity upon the best instruments of all; the souls of his students.