FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 4, 2020
CONTACT:
Kimberly Aguilar, (805) 341-4689
Compass Charter Schools (CCS) Celebrates 3 Kappa Delta Pi
Teacher of Honor Recipients
Thousand Oaks, CA – Compass Charter Schools (CCS) celebrates three 2020 Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Teacher of Honor Recipients: Jason Bee, AVID Coordinator, Dr. Aviva Ebner, Assistant Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer, and J.J. Lewis, Superintendent & CEO. Teacher of Honor recipients are practicing educators with three or more years of professional experience who demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional growth and integrity in the classroom.
Teacher of Honor recipients need to meet extensive criteria, which include advanced degrees, school district professional experience, curriculum development, the publication of education-related articles, service as a department chair, contributions to KDP, and more.
Bee joined CCS in 2013 and has enjoyed his time building our school and creating a unique academic program for our scholars and families. In 2016 Bee earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration. In the upcoming 2020-21 school year, Bee will become the CCS of Yolo Principal.
Bee became a teacher in 2004 after completing his tour of duty in the US Navy and involvement in the Gulf War onboard the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Carl Vinson. His first teaching position was at a charter school in Irving, Texas, and since then has taught at a variety of schools, including Big Texas 5A schools as well as international schools in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Hong Kong.
“Jason heads our AVID program and helps scholars reach their college and career goals,” shares J.J. Lewis, CCS Superintendent & CEO. “He is passionate about what he does and driven to make an impact on our scholars’ lives.”
Dr. Ebner currently serves as Assistant Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer for CCS. She has been an educator for over 30 years and is credentialed in administration, library services, and biology. She holds degrees in Biology (BS), Educational Administration (MA), and Educational Leadership (Ph.D.). Ebner has served in many roles, some of which include, teacher-librarian, magnet coordinator, bilingual coordinator, dean of discipline, principal, regional superintendent, and is an adjunct faculty member for graduate-level courses at an online university.
Ebner has authored a dozen nationally published STEAM experiment/project-based learning books (including two volumes dedicated to students with special needs), numerous articles, book chapters, and other publications. She has written grants for at-risk youth and has authored curricula for several organizations. She is often invited to present at educational conferences and has received numerous awards for her work in public education.
“Dr. Ebner brings 30 years of experience to enhance the Compass experience,” shares Lewis. “She believes in nurturing the whole scholar; Ebner has a passion for serving the needs of underserved youth and mentoring future school leaders.”
CCS’s leader, J.J. Lewis, has served as Superintendent & CEO since October 2015. Previously, Lewis served as Manager of Major Giving for Detroit Public Television and WRCJ 90.9 FM. He holds his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University in History and Political Science. He has a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive. Lewis is currently working on his Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Lewis is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He serves on many boards and committees, some of which include the Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services, Digital Learning Collaborative, El Dorado County Charter SELPA, The Charter Schools Resource Journal Editorial Board, and Wellness for Educators. Lewis is also on the Central Michigan University National Alumni Association Board of Directors, President of the Central Michigan University Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center Alumni Affinity Chapter, and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity West Coast Director.
“J.J. is passionate and driven in serving as an educational leader and visionary in education,” shares John Vargas, CCS Board of Directors Chair. “He is a servant leader and commits time to get to know every one of his scholars and staff. He continuously is finding ways to better shape and enhance the Compass experience.”
About the KDP Teacher of Honor Award
Teachers of Honor care about humanity. They are good listeners and good communicators. They embrace and nurture differences. They are empathetic and sympathetic, and they treat all people with kindness, dignity, and respect. Teachers of Honor must continuously engage, alone and with others (including their students), in the scholarship of inquiry—applying the best of what is known to ensure excellence in the teaching-learning process. They create safe environments that foster the best learning from each student. They give back to their profession and communities and take on mentoring and leadership roles, develop and disseminate ideas, continue their professional growth, and lend expertise to solving problems facing society. They ensure that all students’ grades are earned and not awarded, are prepared for each class, and consistently model high moral values for their students.
Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), International Honor Society in Education, was founded in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. For over a century, the society has consistently grown, starting with a local chapter to become the international organization it is today, with an initiated membership that exceeds 1.2 million!
About Compass Charter Schools
Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual personalized learning public charter school serving thousands of scholars throughout the state. Catering to TK-12 grade scholars, CCS offers two personalized learning programs. CCS is committed to creating a collaborative virtual learning community, inspiring scholars to appreciate the ways in which arts and sciences nurture a curiosity for lifelong learning and preparing scholars to take responsibility for their future successes.
For more information about CCS, visit www.compasscharters.org, via Twitter (https://twitter.com/CompassCs), on Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/) or on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/compasscs/).
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