Negley Elementary School Counselor Michelle Winn accepts the congratulations of Negley Principal Will Webber on being the recipient of the Anti-Defamation League’s “Excellence in Education Award” for her efforts in support of the “No Place for Hate” program – and more. Winn’s award marked the second consecutive year Hays CISD counselors have received the coveted regional award. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
For the second year of its young three-year existence, the Central Texas Anti-Defamation League’s “Excellence in Education Award” has gone to a Hays CISD educator. This year’s recipient is Negley Elementary School Counselor Michelle Winn. Camino Real Elementary School’s Cynthia Anderson was the 2010 award winner.
According to the award nomination written by Negley Principal Will Webber, Winn has created “an outstanding counseling program” at the local campus, one which clearly establishes Negley as “No Place for Hate.” Through a wide spectrum of acts and initiatives, Winn helped align her campus with the “No Place for Hate” program, which now enjoys a presence on almost every Hays CISD campus.
In accepting the award last week in Austin, Winn described some of the activities she helped encourage this past year. They included use of the school’s website to promote “No Place for Hate,” fifth-grade student council skits led by teacher April Starnes, newsletters on bullying statistics to raise parent awareness and the establishment of a book diversity corner by librarian Mark Weems. Coach Pete Welma’s research of websites and videos dealing with diversity and art teacher Amy Cigainero’s students’ illustrations of their heritage which was compiled into a book in the school library, also played a part. It was clearly a team effort at Negley, inspired by Winn’s leadership.
Charlotte Winkelmann, Director of College and Career Readiness and Guidance for the district, expressed specific pride in Winn’s award, as well as the “No Place for Hate” program. “All but two of our campuses are “No Place for Hate” campuses and we plan for all of the district‘s campuses to be honored for their activities and goal of eliminating prejudice and embracing diversity district-wide,” Winkelmann says.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, “No Place for Hate” was developed to organize schools “to work together and develop projects that enhance the application of diversity and foster harmony among diverse groups” and “empowers schools to promote respect for individual and group differences.”
As for Winn’s efforts at Negley, Webber said in his nominating letter that his counselor and student leaders have come to be “ambassadors of the program. They know about respect and differences, how to turn away and weaken someone who bullies and how to make and keep friends.” He added that Winn “has nurtured this climate of caring to bloom in our school and community. She is ready and willing to share her talents, personal insights and skills to help children learn the skills they need to cope in a diverse and changing community.”
The entire district program draws extended praise from director Winkelmann, who offers her congratulations “to the school leaders, teachers, counselors, and students in making the commitment to foster a school environment that is safe for everyone.”
“We strive in Hays CISD to replace bias with respect for everyone,” she says, noting the next goal is to hang a “No Place for Hate” banner in every school in the district, concluding, “I have no doubt that we will do it!”
