The O’Rourke Prize Recognition for Outstanding Staff Development Professionals

The Colorado Staff Development Council and Authentic Education, a non-profit consulting firm located in New Jersey, are proud to co-sponsor The O’Rourke Prize, an award honoring an exemplary staff developer in the state of Colorado. The award is given in the memory of the late Dr. Bill O’Rourke, a distinguished educator and staff developer who died of cancer in 1999. A complete description of the award is provided on the following web site:

http://www.authenticeducation.org/orourke

Take just a moment to consider that outstanding “teacher of teachers” who has significantly impacted you, your colleagues, and/or your district. Then nominate that person for this unique recognition. All nominations are made on-line at the web site indicated above and the nomination window begins September 1, 2008 and ends at midnight MDT on November 1, 2008.

All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising last year’s prize winner, a teacher, a principal, a central office representative, a CDE representative, and a CSDC board member. The winner will be notified in January with the award and a $500 honorarium being presented at the CSDC Conference on January 28, 2009.

Past recipients of The O’Rourke Prize:

• Patrick Allen, staff developer and classroom teacher, Douglas County School District
• Kelly Corbett, Coordinator of Staff Development, Brighton School District
• Cheryl Zimmerman, staff developer and classroom teacher, Cherry Creek School District
• Mary Ann Saffer, past Director of the East Central BOCES
• Marilyn Burns, Instructional Strategies Coach, Loveland School District
• Brenda Kaylor, Senior Consultant, the ASK Group
• Linda Mooney, Principal Investigator of the STEP-uP Grant

For more information, please contact Kathy Nutting at knutting@regis.edu or 303-458-4388.

Remember, this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the fine efforts and talents of a special staff developer.