Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/68725
Honoring our champions The Hon. Mike Barbieri R Legislative Friend of Education Award ep. Barbieri is completing his second term as the 18th District representative, and he has proven himself a vocal advo- cate for public education. He serves on the House Education Committee and leads the School Discipline Task Force. The Task Force's first successful act, House Bill 347, provides teachers with more discretionary power over behavioral incidents. By co-sponsoring House Bill 139, he expanded the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Nine thousand more impoverished chil- dren in Delaware have healthcare because of this act. In 1991 he founded "Crossroads of Delaware," a Wilmington-based ado- lescent substance-abuse treatment center, where he still works. Rep. Barbieri holds a masters Mike Hoffmann, DSEA vice president and friend of Rep. Barbieri, presents him with DSEA's 2012 Legislative Friend of Education Award. Amber Augustus Teacher of the Year 2012 A mber Augustus, Delaware's Teacher of the Year for 2012, found her way to class- room teaching after a stint in the corporate world as a senior per- formance specialist for the Corporation Trust Company. From the corporate world, Amber Augustus now feels perfectly at home in her 5th grade classroom at Smyrna's John Bassett Moore Intermediate School – attracted to education in order to have a career where she can "make a difference." "I talk with my colleagues every day," she says. "Collaboration is essential since teachers always band together to do what's best for every student. So many teachers are doing such amazing, excellent teaching in this state. I have my ears, eyes and note pad always open to use the best of what I hear and learn." Augustus earned her bachelors degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Delaware in 2001, and completed her Master's in Elementary Studies from Wilmington College in 2005. Augustus praises DSEA for being the voice of teachers. "When the layers are peeled away, you are advancing educa- tion for our students." She urges all to remember that, "What holds us togeth- er are the triumphs. Continue to greet each day with purpose, passion and per- severance!" Frederika Jenner, president, presents Pam Ingram with a DSEA Presidential Citation. Ingram is president of the Colonial Paras Assoc. which received Citations for 100% membership; high Political Action Committee (PAC) dona- tions from its members and Collaborative Bargaining. And DSEA Vice President Mike Hoffmann (left), also a Colonial Para, received a Presidential Citation for his commitment to our membership goals and PAC fundraising. degree in Social Work from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. Presidential Citations 2012 individuals and locals for outstand- ing achievements. Colonial Paras Association: 100% Association Membership; High PAC donations (84% DSEA; 82% NEA); Collaborative Bargaining T Colonial Transportation Association: High PAC donations (72% DSEA; 69% NEA); and Collaborative Bargaining Colonial Food Service Workers Association: Collaborative Bargaining Colonial Education Association: Collaborative Bargaining Appoquinimink Education Association: Successful Legislative Town Hall, instrumen- tal in resolving issues related to teacher evaluation system David Wright, co-president of Appoquinimink E.A.: transforma- tional leadership, creating higher member participation and per- formance for the good of the group Woodbridge Education Association: Collaborative Bargaining Susan Darnell, president of the Laurel Education Association: capacity to serve as a strong, inclusive leader in the face of adversity, guiding educators through challenges of financial distress and school improvement, while providing leadership that brings members together for the good of all Rich Phillips, president of DSEA- Retired: commitment to the mem- bership of DSEA-Retired, working to ensure that member needs are met; programming is relevant; and that retired members are rec- ognized and valued by DSEA Mike Hoffmann, vice president of DSEA: commitment to member- ship goals and PAC fundraising, statewide Wendy Cannon and Val Hoffmann, DSEA UniServ direc- tors: dedication to the ideals of unionism and their vision of how to best support local leaders in their efforts to fulfill the roles and respon- sibilities of union leadership. www.dsea.org May/June 2012 DSEA ACTION! 13 he president of DSEA is per- mitted to consider "Presidential Citations" to