Springdale Park Teacher Wins Outstanding Educator Award

Brittany Beaumont, a first grade teacher at Springdale Park Elementary, was one of eight educators honored Wednesday with the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education.

Superintendent Erroll Davis, Atlanta Falcons football players and the Homer the Brave mascot were among those who surprised teachers in their classrooms with the news that each would receive a $7,500 grant.

Each award includes $3,500 for a school project of the winner’s choice, $1,500 for a professional development opportunity to boost the educator’s effectiveness and a personal stipend of $2,500.

The award is designed to retain excellent teachers and school leaders, inspire other educators, and raise public awareness about the work of high-performing educators.

Since 2005, Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education has recognized outstanding teachers and school leaders for their commitment to excellence.

“The opportunity to award these amazing educators is what drives our organization,” Prescott Miller, Board chair of AFAEE, said in a prepared statement. “Their passion is contagious and their dedication to creating a brighter future for APS students is impossible to ignore. Our partners look forward to seeing the impact the winners’ projects will have on the lives of their students.”

The organization has raised more than $1 million for the awards program.

The other winners were:

Vanessa Evans – KIPP STRIVE Academy, fifth grade teacher

Stephanie Jones – KIPP STRIVE Academy, fifth grade English language arts teacher

Erik Herndon – Young Middle School, eighth grade guitar

Dr. Evelyn Mobley – West End Academy, principal

Nicole Bartig – Sarah Smith Elementary School, kindergarten teacher

Bethany Paquette – Drew Charter School, third and fourth grade special education teacher

Peter McKnight – South Atlanta School of Law & Social Justice, principal

For more information or to nominate a teacher for the 2013 awards, visit www.atlantafamilies.org.