PROJECT EXCELLENCE 2024
Excellence in Teaching
Educator Award Nomination
The Project Excellence Committee of the Area Progress Council of Warren County, Inc. seeks to recognize and honor excellent teachers within the public schools in Warren County. We ask your assistance in identifying exceptional educators who demonstrate excellence in instruction or innovative teachers who have pioneered a teaching method. The educator must hold a current teaching certificate and work for the public school system.
Consideration of your nominee will be based on the information you supply. Characteristics of an excellent teacher might include but are not limited to the following:
Demonstrates consistency and high commitment.
Puts research into practice through their own initiative, is a discretionary risk taker.Implements creative
instructional strategies.
Focuses on raising the bar for all students.
Possesses a full understanding of the subject and has the ability to challenge students at all levels.
Is seen by others as genuine, authentic and sincere.
Is a caring, thoughtful person who extends him or her self to make a positive difference.
Shows understanding of others -- parents, children, etc.
Continues to improve personally and professionally.
Demonstrates that he/she is committed to continuous improvement.
(i.e. constantly looking for new ways to do what they do)
Influences others to improve by modeling the way.
Other positive characteristics may include: motivational, shares ideas, inspires others, supportive, enthusiastic, creative, etc.
Provide as much information as possible about your nominee. Identify the qualities and characteristics that make him/her excellent. Give examples and state specifically how he/she has had special impact on the lives of his/her students.
Save postage and utilize online form
or if you choose to use the printed form or PDF please mail completed nomination to:
Area Progress Council of Warren County, Inc.
Project Excellence Committee
Post Office Box 802
Lebanon, Ohio 45036-0802
Completed nominations are due by February 29, 2024
Project Excellence’s mission and purpose is to recognize outstanding public educators. It is not intended to be a popularity contest, however, excellent teachers are often popular. The selection is not based on who gets the most ‘votes’ or nominations. It is not based on everyone getting a turn to be acknowledged. It is founded on who is connecting with their students, creating the connection with learning and making the biggest impact on our future citizens. Recognition is not contingent on whether or not they have been selected in the past… When a person is brilliant at what they do, they deserve to recognized again. They have raised the standard of an exceptional educator. They have modeled the way; hopefully peer educators will seek to follow in their footsteps lighting the lamp of learning.
2023 - Thirty-Sixth Project Excellence Recipients
Carlisle Local Schools: Carry Branson, Samantha Lee
Franklin City Schools: Paula Bush, Michele Mathis
Greater Ohio Virtual School: Glen Burchfield
Kings Local Schools: Katie Isaacs, Sarah McDonough
Lebanon City Schools: Lindsay Collins, Jacki Kuntz
Little Miami Local Schools: Lynsee Spatz, Lisa Walker
Mason City Schools: Brandon Lee, Natalie Rodefeld
Springboro Community City Schools: Bridget Isgro, Cassie VanBuskirk
Wayne Local Schools: Marybeth Burwell, Leslie Schleman
Warren County Career Center: Mikele Giambra
Warren County Educational Service Center: Cindy Bruner
2022 - Thirty-Fifth Project Excellence Recipients
Carlisle Local Schools: Heather Bishop & Diane Johnson
Franklin City Schools: Debbie Erwin & Eileen Ebeling
Greater Ohio Virtual School: Vicki Hammock
Kings Local Schools: Mary Reece & Brooke Warner
Lebanon City Schools: Janet Terrell & Angela Saunders
Little Miami Local Schools: Nichole Dunigan & Brandy Phillips
Mason City Schools: Alison Sears & Tina Roberts
Springboro Community City Schools: Elizabeth Andrews & Amy Pelletier
Wayne Local Schools: Janelle Gaver & Jenae James
Warren County Career Center: Nikolaus Otto & Holly Todd
Warren County Educational Service Center: Pamela Hobbs
2021 - Thirty-fourth Project Excellence Recipients
Carlisle - Jill French (High School); Audrey Winkler (Junior High)
Franklin - Carrie Ellzey (Gerke Elementary); Zackary Katris (High School)
Greater Ohio Virtual School - Robert “Bob” Allison
Kings - Brian McDonough (High School); Emily Roewer (J. F. Burns Elementary)
Lebanon - Taylor Newcomb (Donovan Elementary); Suzanne Taylor (High School)
Little Miami - Christine Bensman (High School); Jennifer Farlow (Salem Township)
Mason - Dan Broaddrick (High School); Kristen Lazuta (Mason Elementary)
Springboro - Peter Berwald (High School); Rebecca “ Becky” Fluty (Clearcreek Elementary)
Wayne - Patrick Hardin (High School); Nancy Lukasavage (Junior High)
Warren County Career Center - Levetra Staten
Warren County Educational Service Center - Sue Sigler
2020 - Thirty-third Project Excellence Recipients
due to COVID 19 the awards celebration was canceled. The Educators were presented their awards individually at their school building.
Carlisle – Christine Fryman (Alden Brown); Leah Pulskamp (Alden Brown)
Franklin – Stephanie Credit (Jr. High); Stephanie Strong (High)
Kings – Heather Clements (South Lebanon); Theresa Frazier (Kings Education Center)
Lebanon – Beth Englert (Bowman); Randi Michna (High)
Little Miami – Sara Dicks (Hamilton Maineville); Kim Ksander (Salem – pre K)
Mason – Shawna Parkinson (High); Allison Pearson (Intermediate)
Springboro – Michael Beckmeyer (High); Lindsay Slamer (Five Points)
Wayne – Kelly Bricker (Middle); Lora Schafer (Elementary)
WCCC – Toni Crawford (Future Teachers)
WC ESC – Danielle Siegel – Social Communications Program
Greater Ohio Virtual School (GOVS) – Chuck Merk (math & music)
Project Excellence is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) foundation made possible by the volunteer efforts of visionary business leaders who are interested in the quality of education in Warren County, Ohio. It is funded solely through the generous contributions of supportive Warren County individuals, industries and businesses.
The Donors who make it happen - -
TEACHERS - $100,000 OR MORE
PRINCIPALS - $50,000 to 99,999
American Financial Corporation
Fujitec America, Inc.
Mary Hankinson
Harmon Civic Trust
Mr. & Mrs. George Henkle
Mitsubishi Electric Manufacturing, Inc.
Pioneer Industrial Components, Inc.
Worthington Custom Plastics, Inc.
SUPERINTENDENTS - $25,000 to $49,999
Area Progress Council of Warren County, Inc
Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company
LCNB National Bank
DEANS - $10,000 to S24, 999
Cincinnati Milacron Foundation
Fifth Third Bank
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Henkle Schueler & Associates
Hi-Tek Manufacturing
Rich Housh Services, Inc.
The Kroger Company Foundation
Mound Steel Corporation
Natorp Nursery Outlet
Repack Surgical Enterprises, Inc.
Ruppert, Bronson, Chicarelli & Smith
Jacob J. Schmidlapp Trust
PROVOSTS - $5,000 to $9,999
The Beach Waterpark
The Beck Group
Mr. Aaron Brafman
Mr. & Mrs. Curt Burge
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Davis
Mr. Arthur M. Johnsen
Kings Island
LeBlond Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. John McMinn
Mr. & Mrs. James R. Miller
Minuteman Press - Lebanon
Wm. A. Natorp Co., Inc.
Natorp, Ltd.
Al Neyer, In
Society Bank NA, Waynesville Office
Sumitomo Sitix Silicon, Inc.
Waynesville Area Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENTS - $1,000 to $4,999
Armco, Inc.
Mr. Neil Armstrong
Mr. Mike Augsburger
Bank One, Dayton NA
E. F. Bavis & Associates, Inc.
Mr. Robert J. Bendure
Berenfield Containers, Inc.
Bethesda Hospital, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Bone
Brothers Trading Company
Mr. James C. Buehile
CDS Associates, Inc.
Cincinnati Microwave
CINTAS
Community Dental Care
Community National Bank
Coolidge, Wall, Womsley & Lombard
Mr. Earl Conner
Mr. Joseph C. Coons
R.L. Drake Company
Mr. & Mrs. William Federle
Ms. Nancy Fields
First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio
Ghent Manufacturing, Inc.
Mr. Larry L. Gill
Mr. & Mrs. J. Frederick Gossman
Gray, Duning & Dunlap
Mr. Jack Henkle
Huntington National Bank
Kettering; Medical Center
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Landen
Mr. & Mrs. George Leasure
Ms. Elizabeth Markey
Mr. & Mrs. Charles S. Mechem
Mr. Corwin M. Nixon
Rotary Club of Waynesville
Mr. Harold Sherer
Sprint
Mr. William G. Thornton, Jr.
Tipton Associates, Inc.
Voorhis, Slone. Welsh & Crossland
Waynesville Lions Club
Wright Brothers
Yost Pharmacy
CHANCELLORS - ALL OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS
Barbour Company
Howard Berninger, M.D.
Ms. Becki Bishop
Mr. Jack Blosser
Mr. John D. Brown
Ms. Sharon Massey Castor
Mr. William E. Caudill
Mr. Arthur Caviness
Mr. Hall Clarke
Ms. Judy Conrad
Council on Aging of SWO
Mr. Richard B. Craig
Mr & Mrs. James Crow
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Cunningham
Ms. Miriam Denton
Mr. & Mrs. Don Dyck
Mr. & Mrs. Dean Eccles
Mr. Tom Florence
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Garrett
Ms. Janet Goode
Mr. Jack Hedges
Ms. Maggie Hess
Dr. Dorsey E. Holtkamp
Mrs. Phyllis B. Holtkamp
Mr. M. Russell Horn
Mr. Tom Isaacs
Dr. & Mrs. Richard W. Johnson
Mr. Richard Jones
Johnson Realtors
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Kaufman
Mr. & Mrs. William Kaufman
Mr. Orviile Keever
Mr. Jerome Keller
Landen Development Company
Mr. John Lazares
Lebanon Electric Supply, Inc.
Mr. David Lewis
Mr. Carl Lindner
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Lobar
Mr. G. M. Long, Jr.
Mason Industrial Park
Mason Lumber & Coal Company
Mr. & Mrs. Dean Nahrup
Mrs. Leslie R. Nettling
Mr. Eric B. Partee
Mr. Jonathan G. Payne
Mrs. Charlotte Peek
Mr. Edward A. Perkins
Mr. & Mrs. Al Porter
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Powell
Mr. Joe Rippe
Mrs. Margie Schenk
Ms. Jane C. Schueler
Dr. Daniel L. Shull
Mr. & Mrs. David O. Smith
Sons of American Legion, Waynesville
Mrs. Pat Arnold South
Warren County Board of Realtors
Warren County Ohio Horsemen’s Council
Ms. Jean C. Webb
Mr. Charles Williams
Mr. Fred D. Williams
Mr. Howard F. Wilson
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen P. Wilson
Young & Hubbell, Attorneys
List current as of April 2020
Project Excellence continues to seek donors