Cincinnatus Celebrates Inspiring Educators
More than 120 guests saluted outstanding educators as the Cincinnatus Association and five universities honored them at the annual Excellence in Education Awards dinner.
“What impressed me most about the award winners is their commitment to continually improve their teaching skills and methods – to improve their students’ growth,” said Elliot Grossman, chair of the Cincinnatus Education Awards committee. “Their level of professionalism is extraordinary.”
Northern Kentucky University hosted this year’s event in its Student Union Ballroom. The universities take turns hosting the event.
Cincinnatus and the universities spent nearly a year planning the competition, including seeking nominations and overseeing the judging. In December, Elliot and committee Vice Chair Sam Brewer surprised the winners of the three Cincinnatus-sponsored awards with announcements at their schools, promoting cheers from students and surprised looks on the honorees’ faces.
A highlight of this year’s dinner: Video interviews with each of the recipients, created by Elliot and Kevin McLaughlin, a professional videographer who volunteered his time. The honorees talked about their approach to teaching, funny on-the-job stories, educators who influenced them and more. The videos can be found here: Education Awards – Cincinnatus Association.
Deb Peterson, who won the John E. Pepper Education Community Service Award for volunteering at the CPS Bramble Nature Campus, said she’d been nervous about the interview. But she was relieved when she saw the video. “I actually felt rather proud of what I had to say about volunteering in the Cincinnati Public Schools,” she said after the dinner. “At the end of the evening, a man came up to me and told me that I had inspired him to get his retired teacher wife and himself involved with volunteering with the schools.”
“That’s what this recognition program is all about,” Elliot said. “We not only want to acknowledge the great work the distinguished individuals have done but also inspire others to shine as well.”
The recipients ascended the stage one by one to receive their awards as their families and colleagues looked on.
Besides Peterson, the other two honorees of the Cincinnatus-sponsored awards were:
• Dr. Jennifer Williams, principal of the CPS Hughes STEM High School, who received the James N. Jacobs Memorial Award of Excellence for outstanding administration;
• Leslie Lyles, a STEM teacher at the CPS Bond Hill Academy, who received the Cincinnatus-Woodward Trust Distinguished Teacher Award.
The honorees of the five university-sponsored awards:
• Jennifer Koutnik, social studies department chair at Mt. Notre Dame High School, who received the Outstanding Greater Cincinnati Catholic School Educator award presented by Xavier University College of Professional Sciences;
• Beau Wheatley, social studies-English teacher at the CPS Gamble-Montessori High School, who received the Outstanding Greater Cincinnati Public Educator award presented by University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services;
• Elizabeth Bravo, second-grade teacher at Newport Primary School, who received the Outstanding Northern Kentucky Public School Educator award presented by Northern Kentucky University College of Education;
• Maria Borchardt, fourth-grade teacher at Villa Madonna Academy, who received the Outstanding Northern Kentucky Private School Educator award presented by Thomas More University School of Education;
• And Michelle Judt, science-social studies teacher, at the CPS Roberts Academy, who received the Outstanding Student Teacher Mentor award presented by Mt. St. Joseph University School of Education.
Shauna Murphy, the new superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, gave the keynote address. She talked about the importance of recruiting and retaining great teachers.
“Teachers are the heart of our education system,” she said. “We want to celebrate the hard work of our honorees and the hard work of so many unsung educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, and staff across our schools and across the country. Unfortunately, many are overburdened and underpaid. We are witnessing an alarming teacher shortage that threatens the stability and quality of our classrooms.”
Al Beauchamp, chair of the Cincinnatus Education Panel, and Cincinnatus President Rhonda Holyfield-Mangieri, provided guidance and support to the committee. The committee welcomes more volunteers to help with the 2026 program.
Next year’s event will be hosted by Mt. St. Joseph University. Planning will begin in the next few weeks.
[Story by Elliot Grossman, February 2025]
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