The Smith Center Shines Spotlight on Local Teachers at Inaugural Heart of Education Awards

On Saturday, May 7, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts honored educators from the Las Vegas valley as it hosted The Heart of Education Awards. The special event powered by The Rogers Foundation recognized hundreds of Clark County School District (CCSD) teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students and have greatly contributed to their education, livelihood and betterment.

In its inaugural year, The Heart of Education Awards recognized more than 800 finalists for their outstanding contributions. Of those 800 plus finalists, 21 teachers received special recognition and were awarded a commemorative Heart of Education trophy, a cash prize of $5,000 sponsored by Wynn Las Vegas and a $1,000 check to benefit a program of their choice at their school. These recipients are:

Allison Halpin, Arbor View High School

Amanda Jones, C. P. Squires Elementary School

Beatriz Romero, Western High School

Brittany Boyle, Vegas Verdes Elementary School

Christa Fialkiewicz, Green Valley High School

Donald Bernard, West Preparatory Academy

Elizabeth Mulvey, Whitney Elementary School

Eric Stensrud, Cimarron-Memorial High School

Heather Houchens, Barbara & Hank Junior High School

Jessica Banales, J. E. Manch Elementary School

Justin Brecht, John F. Mendoza Elementary School

Linda Coleman, John W. Bonner Elementary School

Lynne Gronert, Selma F. Bartlett Elementary School

Marc Rogers, Cimarron-Memorial High School

Melissa Gillespie, Global Community High School

Michele Kamleiter, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School

Paul Beuning, Chaparral High School

Robin Fulmer, Moapa Valley High School

Samantha Jiminez-Hooks, Jack & Terry Mannion Middle School

Sheburra Moore, Roy W. Martin Middle School

Shirley Cunningham, Charles Silvestri Junior High School

An additional award was presented by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "R-J's People's Choice Award," to Martin Vece from Canyon Springs High School, who received a $10,000 cash prize after taking in more than 10,000 votes. Five principals were also honored for their exceptional efforts, each receiving a $5,000 check presented by The Public Education Foundation. These recipients are:

Debbie Brockett

Dr. Dustin Mancl

Dr. Reece Oswalt

John Haynal

Lisa Burkhead

The show produced by The Smith Center president and CEO, Myron Martin featured Las Vegas headliner Frankie Moreno, renowned singer Clint Holmes, Broadway singing sensation Capathia Jenkins and famous poet, writer and performer Shane Koyczan - all who delivered extraordinary performances in honor of the special event. The evening was emceed by stage, film and TV star Erich Bergen, who currently appears in Madam Secretary. The invitation-only affair also featured an appearance by Pat Skorkowsky, CCSD Superintendent, Rogers Foundation representatives Beverly Rogers and Rory Reid as well as Mayor Carolyn Goodman, who came out to support this honorary initiative. Also presenting was Las Vegas Review-Journal Publisher Craig Moon, President and CEO of The Public Education Foundation Judi Steele, Chairman of the Board for The Smith Center, Don Snyder, Vice Chairman Dr. Keith Boman and Roger Thomas, Designer.

Inspired by a program created by the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., The Heart of Education Awards celebrates outstanding teachers from various Clark County schools, inviting nominated applicants to share personal accounts of how they positively impacted the needs and education of a student or classroom. In addition to The Rogers Foundation and Wynn Las Vegas, major supporters included AEG Live, Cirque du Soleil, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Switch, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and NV Energy.

For more information about The Heart of Education Awards, please visit TheHeartOfEducation.org.