Educators lauded at Reaud Awards gala

Lamar University’s Mary and John Gray Library was packed May 17 as guests showed up to support a group of professionals who have made a mark on Southeast Texas that will continue to yield returns generation after generation. Among the esteemed dignitaries in attendance at the 2022 Reaud Excellence in Education Award gala were principals and superintendents from the school districts where the honorees work, local elected officials and former state Senator and current Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who offered special remarks during the evening event. However, the real stars of the night were Amy Champagne of Highland Park Elementary School, Nederland ISD; Wendy L. Francois-Richard of Fletcher Elementary School, Beaumont ISD; Tammi Halliburton of Little Cypress Intermediate School, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD; Kelly Joy Lietzke of China Elementary School, Hardin-Jefferson ISD; Ann McMahon of Newton Elementary School, Newton ISD; Courtney Courts of Kountze Middle School, Kountze ISD; Lindsay Jeansonne of Jasper Junior High School, Jasper ISD; Tammy Taylor of Vidor Junior High School, Vidor ISD; Bill Williamson of C.O. Wilson Middle School, Nederland ISD; Jenny Dang Nguyen of West Brook Senior High School, Beaumont ISD; Shirley De La Cruz of Nederland High School, Nederland ISD; Dr. Carkenda Griffin of Memorial High School, Port Arthur ISD; Mindy Marse of Buna High School, Buna ISD; Sally Rost of Orangefield High School, Orangefield ISD; and Paul Sims of Hardin-Jefferson High School, Hardin-Jefferson ISD.

Each of the honored educators was presented with a $10,000 personal award, a crystal obelisk and a professional portrait that was featured on display at the event.

Honorees of the 2020 Reaud Excellence in Education Award were also in attendance at the event – the gala that was scheduled in their honor closed by COVID-19. Despite the extended delay in ceremony, all 16 educators also received a portrait, crystal obelisk and $10,000 in 2020. The 2020 honorees include Vicki Black of Nederland High School, Nederland ISD; Misty Lynn Bellard of Orangefield High School, Orangefield ISD; Ashlee Ehrensberger of Henderson Middle School, Hardin–Jefferson ISD; Heath Gerlufsen, of West Brook Senior High School, Beaumont ISD; Nancy Anne Green of Vidor Junior High School, Vidor ISD; Lynn B. Jones of Jasper Junior High School, Jasper ISD; Angela Michele Lewis of Port Neches Elementary School, Port Neches-Groves ISD; Vicki Mouton of Lumberton High School, Lumberton ISD; Donna Watson Neely of Kountze Elementary School, Kountze ISD; Angie Perry of Little Cypress Intermediate School, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD; Juaune Saveat of Marshall Middle School, Beaumont ISD; Donna Wilke Schrock of Bridge City High School, Bridge City ISD; Debbie Smith of Jasper High School, Jasper ISD; Meagan Smith of Sallie Curtis Elementary School, Beaumont ISD; Kelsey Espinosa Thibodeaux of Groves Middle School, Port Neches-Groves ISD; and Heather Williams of West Hardin Elementary School, West Hardin CCISD.

Beaumont attorney and philanthropist Wayne A. Reaud envisioned the celebration of educator excellence over a decade ago, leading the Board of Directors of the Beaumont Foundation of America to spark the Excellence in Education Award. Each honoree is nominated by their peers, undergoes a rigorous evaluation process and is esteemed by the students they serve. A lofty award that bestows a bevy of gifts and accolades – and a $10,000 personal award – the coveted honor not only enriches the educator tangibly, but also provides peer-reviewed validation of a job well done.

According to Beaumont Foundation CEO and President Ed Keller, the foundation has awarded $1.9 million in personal awards directly to educators from Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Tyler and Jasper counties in the 13 years the awards have been presented. The Beaumont Foundation also honors educators outside of Southeast Texas, with a total educator award equaling $3.1 million.

“There were five teachers who made a real difference in my life,” Reaud explained from the gala podium, before thanking each of the honorees personally for their contribution to untold numbers of futures. Reaud shared that, coming from meager means, it was the support of his family – and his teachers – that spurred him on. Reaud possessed no trust fund, no pedigree lineage, but he did possess parents who emphasized the importance of a good education and teachers willing to give that educational access. Reaud would go on to obtain his law degree and found the Reaud, Morgan and Quinn LLP law firm where he would attain recognition with listing among the “Best Lawyers in America.”

“Those teachers changed my life.”

Dr. Carkenda Griffin is one of the honored educators credited with being a life-changer. Griffin is the longest serving educator among the 2022 honorees, with 25 years of service already under her belt at Port Arthur ISD, the most recent of which have been spent at Memorial High School. A five-person committee from Port Arthur ISD, comprised of educators and students, nominated Griffin for the prestigious Excellence in Education Award, co-signed by administrators district-wide.

“She is the most dedicated, devout and diligent educator to serve the children, families and community of the Port Arthur Independent School District,” DeQueen Elementary School Principal Jerry Gloston reported of Griffin. “She does far more than work an 8-hour workday.”

“The contributions Carkenda has made to public education are immeasurable,” he continued. The effects of a quality educator are not only immediately noticeable, but continue to bloom even after an initial encounter. “Many of her students have gone on to become teachers, counselors, case managers, nurses, therapists, professional athletes and medical doctors.”

University of Texas Medical Branch Class of 2022 M.D. candidate Edgar Villalobos expressed honor in recommending Griffin for the Excellence in Education Award. Villalobos said it was in Griffin’s 10th grade biology class that he first felt like a scholar instead of “a teenager being babysat.”

“She held us to a higher standard than other teachers, and I believe it was because she knew we were capable of much more than we put out,” Villalobos wrote. “Even 10 years later, she is still an inspiration and a reminder of why I set personal goals others may believe to be out of reach.”

PAISD parent Angela Malveaux said she was glad her son found himself in Dr. Griffin’s class while she was still teaching at the middle school.

“I met Mrs. Griffin the first time when she knocked on my door one evening unannounced,” Malveaux recalled.

Griffin didn’t come empty-handed, either. With her, the educator brought some difficult revelations, as well as her grade book. Griffin was still at Malveaux’s home when the student arrived fresh off of football practice.

“The look on his face was priceless,” Malveaux recalled, “because he knew the cat was out of the bag.”

Malveaux said the initial conversation was awkward and hard to swallow – but she couldn’t be more appreciative that Griffin was willing to talk that talk. Because of that day, Malveaux’s student went from a D to a B – and he’s currently seven years into a teaching job at the very same school where he met Griffin. The proud mother is forever thankful Griffin was willing to look past what she saw in class and recognize there was greater potential in the class cut-up.

“She could have given him the grade he earned in her class and moved on,” Malveaux said. “I will always be grateful for her boldness and willingness to knock on my door that day and say, ‘I need your help to help your child.’”

“Teaching is my ministry,” Griffin said. One student at a time, one young Malveaux at a time, Griffin hopes to reach them all. “Life is great when you know your purpose.”

Excellence in Education Award honoree Jenny Dang Nguyen, of Beaumont ISD’s West Brook High School, said she knew her purpose soon after setting foot in America. When she first entered the American public school system in 1986, Nguyen spoke no English, and credits two ESL teachers for inspiring her to enter the education field. Her ESL teachers, known as Mrs. Rubin and Mrs. Thuy, “showed me unsurpassed compassion and nurture that would stay with me for the rest of my life,” Nguyen said.

One word at a time, her ESL teachers shared a new language with Nguyen – and a new culture; and, over time, they became like family.

“They always went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, especially during the holidays and even on our birthdays,” Nguyen shared. “They had such an impact on my life that I hoped to become a teacher like them one day so that I, too, could make a difference in another child’s life who may be looking to find their way as I was in May of 1986.”

According to West Brook Principal Nicholas Phillips, Nguyen is the embodiment of what administration hopes to find in an educator: “someone who is passionate about their subject, has the ability to create engaging real-world lessons, and fosters and builds lasting relationships with her students.”

Phillips said Nguyen works hard to really connect with her students and ensure they understand what’s being taught. The campus leader added that the “math rock star” also makes herself available to all the campus’ students before and after the day’s bells.

“You’ll never hear Jenny talking down to a student, and she will always go the extra mile for them,” fellow West Brook educator David LeBlanc said of the teacher Nguyen has become – following in the footsteps of her mentors from 1986. “Anyone in Jenny’s class feels they can succeed. Jenny believes that, under every clump of coal, a diamond exists.

“Our district could use a hundred Jenny Nguyen.”

All school districts represented at the 2022 Reaud Excellence in Education Award gala could use 100 of each and every honoree recognized at the event – but each expressed gratefulness for the stellar educators in their midst.

At the ceremony held in honor of the esteemed educators, Jefferson County Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens was among the teacher success stories giving thanks to educators now molding the minds and lives of young Southeast Texans. Stevens invoked wise words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass, Mahatma Gandhi and others, all coming independently to the same conclusion: Knowledge is power; and teachers pass on knowledge.

“Education is so special to every one of us in this room,” Stevens said. “It’s so special to everyone in the world.”