Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1057445
WINTER 2018 | ADVOCATE 7 Flowing Wells Education Association Member Receives Prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence O ctober started with another honor for Centennial Elementary School 6th grade instructor Melanie Donaldson. She is one of 46 public school educators receiving the prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence and was presented with a $500 check from California Casualty's Jill Strandquist during a recent Flowing Wells School District Governing Board meeting. Ms. Donaldson was nominated for the award by the Arizona Education Association (AEA), and will represent Arizona at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to be held in Washington, D.C. on February 8, 2019. Ms. Donaldson is also the AEA Christa McAuliffe "I Touch the Future, I Teach" award recipient, and is described as one who inspires others around her with humor and optimism. In an interview with the Flowing Wells Unified School District, Ms. Donaldson explained that, "Students inspire me with their grit in the face of challenges, their trust, their willingness and their resilience." The California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence highlight educators from around the country cited by their peers for their dedication to the profession, community engagement, professional development, attention to diversity and advocacy for fellow educators. "We are delighted that during our 50th anniversary next year, we will celebrate the largest number of awardees in our history. These educators are keeping the promise of public education by creating learning opportunities for their students that are relevant and rigorous. They advocate for each other, the profession, and public education," says Harriet Sanford, NEA Foundation President and CEO. Photo caption L to R: Mario Ruiz - FWEA Vice President; Jan Autenreith – FWEA President; Kristy Dale - Principal, Centennial Elementary School; John Cappello – Melanie Donaldson's partner; CCATE Award Recipient Melanie Donaldson; Donna Youdelman – FWEA Treasurer, Special Education at Centennial Elementary; Jill Strandquist – California Casualty; Bonnie Pritchett – Special Education at Centennial Elementary; Alex Davis – Flowing Wells Coach, P.E. Teacher at Centennial; Schreen Marvin – 3rd grade teacher at Centennial ES and her daughter, Kennedy "We deeply appreciate California Casualty's partnership in recognizing these exemplary educators, and we look forward to honoring them next February on stage at the beautiful National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. and with virtual celebrations across the country." "We are glad to have the chance to show our respect and appreciation for the work of public school educators each year," said Beau Brown, California Casualty CEO. "We applaud the great work of the California Casualty awardees." Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty has provided auto and home insurance to Arizona Education Association members since 1982. Founded in 1914, California Casualty has been led by four generations of the Brown family. To learn more about California Casualty, or to request an auto insurance quote, please visit www.calcas. com/AEA or call 1.866.763.6285.