The Rotary Clubs of Space Center, League City, and Seabrook; and the Clear Creek Independent School District School (CCISD) hosted the third Rotary/CCISD Teacher of the Year Awards on May 16th at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center.  The convention center was filled with about 300 teachers, their families and friends, and Rotarians.  The Clear Brook Jazz Ensemble entertained the group before the program began.  Birda Gaskin, President of League City Rotary, opened the meeting and the Clear Falls Color Guard presented the U. S. Flag for the pledge of alliance.  Michael Huss, President of the Seabrook Rotary Club, gave the innovation and lead in the Four Way Test.  He also spoke about “what Rotary is not”.  President Coney gave a brief history of the Teacher of the Year Award.

Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of CCISD, began the program by making a few remarks and introducing the six finalists: Gwen Cash, Clear Creek High School; Tom Dinardis, Westbrook Immediate; Donna Stone, Clear Brook High School; Barbara Scott, Brookwood Elementary; Kortney Peterson, Hyde Elementary; Mishelle Azbell, Robinson Elementary.  From these finalists, Barbara Scott, Brookwood Elementary; and Donna Stone, Clear Brook High School were named the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year respectively.  Each finalist received a plaque of appreciation and $500 each.  The Teachers of the Year received an additional $500.  View the program cover and other associated information.

Footnote: It is interesting to note that the Club’s Dr. David Taylor originated the idea of excellence in education and established the program in 1991, making this the 21st year to honor teachers. This year forty four teachers were nominated by their peers as representatives of the best in the CCISD.  A team of district administrators made the difficult task of determining six finalists.  A committee of administrators and Rotary Club representatives then selected the Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Secondary Teacher of the Year from those six finalists.

Over $1 Billion
by Terry R. Ziegler
District 5890 Polio Eradication Chair

Thanks to all of you who have donated to the Polio Plus $200 Mil Challenge.  Today our District Clubs and Rotarians passed the
$600,000 milestone in giving to the $200 Mil Challenge, ranking us in the top 25 of all 535 Rotary Districts Worldwide! Rotarians have donated a total of $169 Mil since the start of the $200 Mil Challenge in 2007 and a total of over $1 Billion since the start of Polio Plus in 1985.