KNEA President Christy Levings presents the KNEA Human and Civil Rights Award to Ogden Elementary School Principal Jim Armendariz.
Kansas NEA Human and Civil Rights Award honors Jim Armendariz
Because of his unwavering commitment to putting the rights of every child first and for his role in mentoring an entire staff to do the same, Kansas NEA is honoring Ogden Elementary School Principal Jim Armendariz with the Human and Civil Rights Award.
Some 500 delegates paid tribute to Armendariz during the KNEA Representative Assembly April 23 in Topeka. “Children look to him as a safe and reliable adult to turn to and are rewarded with firmness and compassion,” said KNEA President Christy Levings in announcing the award. “Jim advocates for the rights of children in danger of abuse and neglect. He fights daily for the rights of students in special education and English as a second language education programs.”
A long-time KNEA member and activist, Armendariz has been an administrator and science/technology teacher since 1989. He is a REACH (Reaffirming Ethnic Awareness & Community Harmony) graduate and is trained in the GESA (Generating Expectations for Student Achievement) Program. Armendariz is a Ruby Payne (Understanding Poverty) trainer who educates others in how to teach children to deal with the world around them. As a child of immigrants who grew up in poverty, he brings unique insights to this task and does not accept these circumstances as an excuse for failure, Levings said. He has high expectations for all the children in his care, and expects his staff to have the same.
Armendariz has a reputation for supporting his staff in using their skills and knowledge to increase student achievement. The entire staff took the Girls and Boys Town training so that everyone could communicate the same set of expectations to every student. Together, they provide a safe school environment that promotes high achievement, Levings said.
|
Archives
Printer friendly
E-mail
Subscribe
