Heritage Hall News
Luncheon Honors Faculty, Staff
On Wednesday, August 8, while students were enjoying the remaining days of their summer vacation, Heritage Hall welcomed back teachers and staff for a full day of meetings, classroom preparations, and the annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon, sponsored by the School’s Board of Trustees.
Faculty recipients of The Judith Ann Knott Chair for Distinguished Achievement in Elementary Education and Heritage Hall Alumni Association (HHAA) Distinguished Faculty Award were recognized, along with employees celebrating milestone years of service.
The Judith Ann Knott Chair for Distinguished Achievement in Elementary Education
Awarded every two years to a full-time teacher in the Lower School, the endowed chair recipient is chosen by an administrative panel based on criteria that includes a teacher’s:
- devotion to students (willingness to go the extra mile);
- professional creativity and passion for teaching; and
- impact on School culture
In presenting this year’s award to Early Childhood Center Director Barbara Leite, Lower School Head Betsy Horn described her as a quiet leader who embodies The Charger Code – tolearn with honor, to lead with courage, and to serve with compassion; a problem solver who works toward solutions without complaint; and a passionate advocate for children who has extensive knowledge in developmentally-appropriate learning strategies.
“Awarding the endowed chair to Barbara Leite was one of the most meaningful and special privileges of my career,” Horn proclaimed. “Humble and unaware of how truly extraordinary she is, Barbara has helped grow an outstanding program that provides students with the best possible foundation as they begin their educational careers at Heritage Hall. Not surprisingly, there are wait lists in the grades she oversees. We are blessed to have such an esteemed educator leading the Early Childhood Center,” Horn concluded.
After receiving the award, a surprised and tearful Leite remarked, “Children are important; they are the leaders and difference makers of the future and they deserve a quality education. Teaching children is what I love and believe in. The existence of an award like this shows that others also believe in and value education. I am truly honored.”
Faculty/Staff Milestone Recognitions
- 40 Years – Dr. John Powell
- 30 Years – Jimmika Wolf
- 25 Years – Robert Ring, Vicki Stebbins
- 20 Years – Kathie Barnett, Roger Bates, Tena Highfill, David Hillis, Tommy Riley
- 15 Years – Julie Kline, Robert Smith
- 10 Years – Brian Bogert ’95, Nick Carter, Rebecca Clemens, Steven Gillmore, Dr. Chris Hamel, Barbara Nykol, Cindy Ratliff, Genifer Ring
- 5 Years – Ashley Baer Heil ’09, Allie Blundell, Steve Chard ’88, Cooper Cloud ’11, Maggie English, Carrie Gary, Ahmad Jones, Dr. Erin McQuiston, Andrew Morris, Nancy Teehee, Christa Thompson
HHAA Distinguished Faculty Award
Upon taking the stage to present the Distinguished Faculty Award, Heritage Hall Alumni Association (HHAA) board member David Ferguson ’88 confessed that his first inclination had been to roll out an overhead projector, take out some colored Vis-à-Vis markers and a sheet of transparency, and diagram a sentence for this year’s recipient, sixth grade English teacher Cathie Perry.
Reading nomination forms submitted by alumni, Ferguson shared, “Cathie Perry has inspired and shaped multiple generations of Chargers with her love for her students, her commitment to education, and her brilliant command of, and appreciation for, English. Nearly 30 years after having taken her class, I still recall and rely on the knowledge she imparted.”
Another alumnus wrote, “Mrs. Perry’s classes are known to be demanding, but her students describe her as helpful and motivating. A thoughtful and purposeful teacher, Mrs. Perry challenges her students and helps them reach their full potential.”
Perry’s colleagues were just as complementary, Ferguson stated, with one commenting, “Cathie Perry is understandably one of the most revered and beloved teachers at Heritage Hall. She is known as the ‘Grammar Queen,” but she is much more than that. Cathie shows her students love and understanding, and inspires them to be better writers, better readers, and, of course, better grammarians!”
A visibly moved Perry commented, “I barely have the words to describe my thoughts and what it means to have been presented the fifth Distinguished Faculty Award by former Heritage Hall students. Receiving this award provides me with an additional boost of confidence and excitement for my day-to-day work – reminding me that every moment I share with every student matters. I am grateful and humbled by this recognition.”
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