Three teachers honored with excellence award

The El Dorado Education Foundation (EDEF) honored three teachers as outstanding educators during the 20th Teacher Excellence Awards program Friday.

Jamia White, kindergarten teacher at Yocum Elementary School, was the elementary level winner. The middle school/junior high level winner was Helene Lambert, an eighth grade art teacher at Barton Junior High School. The high school level winner was Hinton Foster, anatomy, physiology and Pre-AP biology teacher at El Dorado High School.

The three winners were selected by the SAU Judging Committee and received trophies, $1,000 and portraits made in their honor.

John Moore, senior vice president and general council for Murphy USA was the keynote speaker at the event. Moore represented Murphy USA, who was the program’s sponsor. Moore is a 1985 graduate of El Dorado High School.

“There are many teachers that left an imprint on me during my early years here in El Dorado,” Moore said.

Moore discussed a teacher that stood out to him, Dee Post, who was his 12th grade English teacher.

“When your students know that you care about them, they will perform for you,” he stated. “The imprint (Post) made on my life lives on.

“As teachers you have the continuing opportunity to leave an imprint on the students that you teach and it’s up to you what kind of imprint you leave on them,” Moore said. “You’re at a unique position of influence to plant seeds of confidence and possibility in each of your students.”

Moore discussed four principles that Murphy USA employees aim to demonstrate every day on the job. The principles include: integrity, respect, citizenship and spirit.

“These are the same principles that you as teachers use every day to set an example and leave an imprint on your students,” Moore said. “Those imprints will continue to have impact on their lives long after they leave the classroom.”

The EDEF Teacher Excellence Awards program was started to recognize excellence in public school teaching in three levels — elementary, middle/junior high and high school. Each year, nominees are accepted for outstanding educators from parent, grandparents, guardians, students, former students, the public and El Dorado Public School teachers and employees.

For 2018, nearly 500 nominations were received.

Also recognized at the event were the 17 semi-finalists, who received certificates and $100 cash awards. Out of the semi-finalists, the award was narrowed down to nine finalists, who received plaques and $250 cash awards.

Out of the nine finalists, White, Lambert and Foster were chosen as this year’s outstanding educators.

According to a press release, the judges stated that White helps all students meet high expectations and rewards them for achievement. Parents noted White’s patience, love, positivity and understanding.

White is a mentor to first-year teachers and is very active with extracurricular school actives. She is also continuing her education with outside training, professional development and pursuit of a master’s degree.

Lambert has served on the Arkansas State Frameworks Committee and was the keynote speaker for a national subject-area education association. The press release stated that Lambert collects supplies for charitable drives and assists in many extracurricular school actives.

She is described as “very creative and hard working,” a leader, approachable, genuine and caring.

Foster was described as “simply outstanding.” He works with students through tutoring, coaching, sponsorship and supporting other activities throughout the school year. He has also presented at state curriculum conferences.

The judges stated that his positive attitude and commitment to teaching has changed many students’ lives for the better.

The press release stated the the judges said all three of the winners “embodied the incredible work taking place every day in El Dorado schools. Each one demonstrated excellence in teaching, and it was difficult to choose from such an exemplary group.”

Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].

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