Center for Christian Urban Educators
Teacher Recognition
Great teachers deserve recognition. Teaching has never been easy and it takes heart, commitment and passion. As stated by Carl Jung, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers and with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.”
Knowing that high quality teaching is vital to students’ success, C-CUE and the Bright Promise Fund host an annual event to thank all teachers of the Bright Promise Fund Schools for their service and announce winners of the following excellence awards.
“I See You” Award
The recipients of this award are teachers who uses relationships with students as the foundation for success in the classroom. These teachers get to know all their students as individuals in order to comprehend their unique needs, learning styles, social and cultural backgrounds, interests, and abilities and are effective in using such relationship to direct students’ learning as well as supporting and mentoring them. These teachers recognize individual differences in their students, use data, and adjust their practice accordingly while maintaining high expectations for each student’s growth and achievement. These teachers are exemplary at helping students for whom school is challenging.
The 2018-2019 winners of the I See You Award were Amber Tretheway from Deer Creek Christian School, Hannah Schaap from Calvin Christian School and Gabe Kong from Unity Christian Academy.
2017-2018 winners of the I See You Award were Leah Casson from Calvin Christian School and Glenda Hicks from Daystar School.
Pedagogy Award
Teachers who receive this award are committed to advancing student learning and achievement while guiding students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence. These teachers search out and construct meaningful educational experiences that allow students to solve real-world problems and show they have learned the big ideas, powerful skills, and habits of mind and heart that meet agreed-on educational standards.
Chris Bootsma from Unity Christian Academy and Beth Boven from Calvin Christian School were winners of the 2018-2019 Pedagogy Award.
Noelle Dryden from Chicago West Side Christian School was the winner of the 2017-2018 Pedagogy Award.
Tech Award
This award acknowledges teachers who effectively and creatively use technology to provide students with opportunities to obtain information, create content, solve real-life problems, and collaborate with students outside their own school setting.
The 2018-2019 Tech Award was granted to Michael Piccoli from Walther Christian Academy.
The 2017-2018 Tech Award was granted to Stacia Smits from Calvin Christian School.
Teacher Leadership Award
Recipients of this award are teacher leaders. They serve as leaders in their respective school community by supporting, assisting, mentoring, and encouraging their colleagues and taking the initiative to improve the overall educational program of the school in addition to their efforts in their own classrooms.
The two teachers who were recipients of the 2018-2019 Teacher Leadership Award were Joy Krygsheld from Lansing Christian School and Allison Good From Daystar School.
The two teachers who were recipients of 2017-1028 Teacher Leadership Awards were Laurie Wiltjer from Chicago West Side Christian School and Julie Wroughton from Deer Creek Christian School.
Discipleship Award
The Discipleship award recognizes teachers who are passionate about the faith development of their students. They are effective in helping students realize they are part of the family of God, by increasing their understanding of God and His world through Bible stories and the teachings of Jesus and by equipping them to serve in His kingdom.
Barb Baldwin from Daystar School and Vincci Chan from Pui Tak Christian School received 2017-2018 Discipleship Awards.
Discipleship Award
The Discipleship award recognizes teachers who are passionate about the faith development of their students. They are effective in helping students realize they are part of the family of God, by increasing their understanding of God and His world through Bible stories and the teachings of Jesus and by equipping them to serve in His kingdom.
Rubi DeArmas from Chicago West Side Christian School and Caley Preyss from Daystar School received 2018-2019 Discipleship Awards.
Barb Baldwin from Daystar School and Vincci Chan from Pui Tak Christian School received 2017-2018 Discipleship Awards.
Parent Partnership Award
Recipients of this award are teachers who understand the impact of parental involvement for student achievement . These teachers consistently find creative and meaningful ways to involve, empower and validate parents as essential partners in the education of their children.
For the 2018-2019 year, Parent Partnership Awards were granted to Yvonne Kang from Pui Tak Christian School and Amy Boerman-Cornell from Calvin Christian School.
Service Awards
Servant Spirit Award
Teachers of this award are those who consistently contribute to the operation and culture of the school by humbly assisting in whatever way needed. They are the ones often behind the scenes who serve willingly, without being asked or expecting recognition.
The three teachers who received this award for 2018-2019 were Erika Huizenga from Pui Tak Christian School, Lisa Meeks from Calvin Christian School and Anna Schultz from Chicago West Side Christian School.
Service Awards
Teachers and administrators are recognized for years of service in BPF schools and acknowledged at the Teacher Recognition Event. Recognition is given for every 5 years of full-time service.