Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Four North Carolina individuals and two organizations are being recognized this year by the University of North Carolina Wilmington for their service to the state’s children and youth. Since 1993, UNCW’s Watson School of Education has presented Razor Walker Awards to dedicated leaders statewide who have demonstrated their commitment to improving the lives of young people.

The awards recognize exceptional contributions toward the welfare of children and youth in the areas of: art/literature, business, educational administration, law, medicine, philanthropy, public service/policy and teaching/research. The prestigious and unique Razor Walker Awards were designed specifically to honor the service of North Carolina citizens. The 2010 awards were presented at a ceremony Monday, May 3 on the UNCW campus.

The honorees for the 2010 Razor Walker Awards are:

Senator A.B. Swindell IV, Public Service/Policy—Since 2000, Swindell has served residents of Nash and Wilson counties in the General Assembly. As a former vocational education teacher, he recognizes that a competitive public education system is crucial to developing a North Carolina workforce capable of meeting future challenges. He recently was appointed vice chairman of the Joining Our Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Commission, a new three-year project designed to identify the skills North Carolina businesses are seeking, and to create programs to teach those skills to high school students in early colleges.

Marvin Pittman, Educational Administration—Pittman was one of the architects of “Improving Minority and At-risk Student Achievement: Blueprint for Excellence,” a nationally acclaimed annual conference that has grown to include more than 3,500 participants. He has been a leader at all levels of education, serving as teacher, principal, director of instruction and executive director of curriculum. Pittman retired from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in 2010 and is now an education consultant. Recently, he has served as senior assistant to the state superintendent of public instruction and community liaison for student achievement with the State Board of Education.

James W. “Jimmy” Pierce Jr., Public Service—Pierce used his love of woodworking to found Kids Making It (KMI), a program that teaches job skills to at-risk youth and links students and families with a social worker for counseling. He left his successful law practice in 1996 to develop KMI into a full-time program. As the first KMI group built go-carts, scooters, skateboards and doghouses, other kids watched through the windows, then asked if they could build something, too. What began as a volunteer effort with a collection of hand tools in a temporary space has become a full-fledged shop with power tools and laser engraver. Finished products are sold in historic downtown Wilmington.

Vann Pennell, Educational Administration—As principal of South Brunswick High School, Pennell urges teachers to develop their professional skills, resulting in more National Board certified teachers than any other school in the system. Through his leadership, teachers created professional learning communities to share best practices and increase collaboration. Pennell has high expectations for students, and test scores have risen steadily during his tenure. His improvements to the academic and physical landscape, including new technology in classrooms, campus beautification and upgrades to the aquaculture facility, have built a sense of pride in the school.

Early Childhood Leadership and Policy Network, Policy—The network was founded in 2007 to facilitate diverse leadership and include the voices of everyone in the field of early childhood education. Its 57 participants, including teachers, family and childcare providers and Smart Start directors, were chosen from more than 100 applicants to form teams across the state. Each team’s project is focused on improving children’s classroom experiences, developing community leadership and addressing policies that create inequities for children. While sharing research and best practices, they work directly with early childhood programs to model culturally responsive teaching.

The Ability Garden of New Hanover County Arboretum, Public Service—Since 1999, the Ability Garden has served more than 2,000 people using horticultural therapy to promote learning and stimulate a deeper awareness of a person’s relationship with the larger world. Raised beds, adaptive equipment and hands-on activities make it accessible for all participants, including those with mental and physical disabilities. The garden’s free services are offered to special education classes as well as individuals from nursing and rehabilitation facilities. Curriculum includes indoor and outdoor activities to improve focus and concentration, sensory stimulation, self-esteem and social interaction skills.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, manager of news and media relations, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu