The Outstanding Public Educator
Dr. Peter Smagorinsky, Professor at theUniversity of Georgia
Dr. Smagorinsky’s research has been unified by a sociocultural approach to understanding literacy teaching and learning grounded in the theory of L. S. Vygotsky. A major strand of his research has been the study of composing process, including written and artistic compositions, and group discussions oriented to literary interpretation and interpretive texts. He has begun exploring issues surrounding mental health as an issue of educational inclusion and diversity; learning processes involved in service-learning; and the discourse of character education.
The Outstanding Friend of Public Education
Rev. Charles Foster JohnsonPastor of Texas Children
Rev. Charles Foster Johnson founded Pastors for Texas Children, a statewide ecumenical organization mobilizing the faith community for public education support and advocacy. PTC now has over 2000 faith leaders throughout Texas and has spawned her first state affiliate, Pastors for Oklahoma Kids.
His child advocacy has also included service on the Board of Trustees of New Horizons Treatment Center for Children and the Child-Friendly Faith Project.
The Outstanding Friend of the Horace Mann League
Dr. Martha BrucknerUniversity of Nebraska-Omaha
Dr. Martha Bruckner is the Executive Director of the MOEC Collective Impact Initiative, a role designed to guide improvement of education P-16 in the Omaha-metro area. Dr. Bruckner was most recently Superintendent of Council Bluffs Schools from 2007-2016. She worked previously in the Ralston and Millard school districts in addition to eight years as a faculty member and Chair of the Educational Leadership Department in UNO’s College of Education. Dr. Bruckner is the Past President of the Horace Mann League.