Education ‘heroes’ honored

This past Wednesday, though, the spotlight shined on them as family, friends, colleagues and community leaders joined them at a reception celebrating their selection as 2012′s “Heroes in Education.”

Heroes program creator, financial services company Fidelity Investments, hosted the event for about 140 people at its offices on Mesa del Sol.

The Heroes program recognizes teachers, students, business owners, organizations and others whose unsung contributions help students in kindergarten through high school achieve academic success.

This year’s honors went to nine individuals, as well as the teachers and staff of a dance group.

Although Fidelity has a national Fidelity at School program to help at-risk students, Heroes is a local Fidelity endeavor, said Public Affairs Director Leean Kravitz.

“We were just trying to find stories about people who are out there doing quietly what they do, but really are going above and beyond for the kids,” she said.

The Albuquerque Publishing Company, which handles advertising, circulation and production for the Albuquerque Journal, sponsored the Heroes program this year. Profiles of each honoree, selected by a committee of community members, appeared in Fidelity ads in the Monday Business Outlook over the past year.

Honorees, and their stories, were presented Wednesday by the people who nominated them. Each received a framed copy of his or her profile. They also received a $250 grant to present to an organization of their choice.

“I think by highlighting the program it encourages others in the community to get involved in programs like this,” said Brian Fantl, APC senior vice president and chief operating officer. “That’s what we all need to do to help educate the youth of New Mexico, because they are our future.”

Here are the 2012 Heroes:

⋄  Albuquerque Police Department Lt. Scott Lopez was instrumental in making the APD internship program, an informal arrangement with the school district, part of the APD’s standard operations, giving 10 students a year the chance to experience what it’s like to be a police officer.

⋄  Edgar Briggs, a resource teacher with APS’ Title I Homeless Project, created a team leadership program to help students envision and create a better life for themselves. He previously served 33 years as a principal and teacher of severely disabled students.

⋄  Michael Sherard, a Valley High School metal and wood shop teacher, has worked 18 years to develop a top-notch shop and program – arranging for area businesses to contribute materials and volunteer in his classrooms – to prepare students for skilled positions.

⋄  Flossie Roberts, a volunteer at Cleveland Middle School library, has devoted every Wednesday the past six school years helping students find the right book, decipher the Dewey Decimal System or recommending other books for them to read.

⋄  Jennifer Rocha is the community nutrition program manager for the Roadrunner Food Bank. Every Friday during the school year, her program ensures children without enough to eat at home receive a backpack full of food to take with them.

⋄  Olivia Kent, a physical education teacher at Lincoln Middle School, believes an active, healthy lifestyle is possible for all. She hosts an Extreme Sports Club with activities like snowboarding and kayaking. Her class offerings include salsa and swing dance.

⋄  Jody Antal is a social worker at Volcano Vista High School, partnering with students, teachers and families to help students cope with special challenges, such as autism or bipolar disorders or coping with the death of a parent. She looks out for about 50 diverse students each year.

⋄  Karen Glennon, a Jackson Middle School teacher, helps the school’s neediest students, including setting up an open pantry and clothing bank, creating a prom closet for those who couldn’t afford a special outfit, and sponsoring the after-school Supercomputer Challenge.

⋄  National Dance Institute of New Mexico teachers and staff bring dance and movement to students across the state at no cost to schools or students’ families, reaching 7,250 children a year. Recent analysis showed participants score better in reading, math and science.

⋄  Noel De La Riva, who owns McDonald’s restaurants, has worked closely with McCollum and Chelwood elementaries to support reading programs. He donates time and funds to ensure students have books they want to read and rewards them when they reach their reading goals.