Champion Awards

Marvin R. Pittman Champions for Education Award

The Department of Public Instruction recognizes individuals who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to student success, who exemplify leadership in education and make a significant impact on students in N.C. This tradition has continued from the Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement (CCSA) to the current Connecting Communities of Education Stakeholders Conference (CCES). The award was named for Marvin R. Pittman because he embodied these characteristics. One colleague described him as,

“He lived a life that demonstrated that we can find solutions to achievement gaps if we are willing to have candid conversations and positive action.” - Dr. June Atkinson, Former NC Superintendent

“His unfailing commitment for doing what was right for all people will leave a lasting mark on our state.” - Dr. Eric Hall, Former Superintendent of the Innovative School District

“We’re better off because Marvin Pittman lived and because he acted to improve opportunities for kids and communities.” - Dr. Mike Ward, Former NC Superintendent

Do you know someone who demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to student success? Someone who exemplifies leadership in education? Someone you believe has made a significant impact on students in NC? Consider them for the Marvin R. Pittman Champions for Education Awards. The NC Department of Public Instruction wishes to recognize those individuals during the 2020 Connecting Communities of Education Stakeholders Conference (CCES).  The purpose of the Champion Award is to share our collective belief in the power of public education and to celebrate everything that is right about our local schools and the people who make it so. Please take a moment to nominate that deserving teacher, administrator, support staff, support staff administrator, or volunteer.  Any individual supporting student success across NC is eligible for this award.

The nomination period is now closed. Applications from nominees will be accepted until 5:00pm on January 15, 2020.

Nomination Categories:

• Teacher (Certified PK-12 teachers or Instructional leaders)
• Administrator (Principals, Assistant Principals)
• Support Staff (Any Certified or classified non-instructional staff member i.e PowerSchool Coordinators, Data Managers, Career Development Coordinators, Media Specialists, Special Populations Coordinators, Curriculum & Instructional Management Coordinators, School Counselors, Office, Cafeteria, Bus or Custodial staff)
• Support Staff Administrator (Central Office Personnel, Mid-Level Administrators, CTE Directors)
• Volunteer (Parent, Business, Non-profit Organization, Local Education Board Member)

Nominations will be accepted through 5:00pm, December 20, 2019. To ensure you submit a complete nomination, complete the following steps:

• Be specific in describing the contributions of the individual you are nominating. Point to real improvement and tangible impact, using multiple examples if you like.
• Make sure you are responding to the indicators posed on the form, not just providing a general description of work done by your candidate.
• Nominations do not have to be long to be effective, but please provide enough background so that the impact of your nominee’s contributions to excellence in teaching and learning is clear.
• It is important to explain any technical terms and “insider jargon” in everyday language, and please don’t worry too much about your writing. In this case, it’s more about what you say and less about how you say it. But do remember to be specific!
• The criteria for each award are centered on the four basic qualities of potential, team, community and communication. Although the underlying qualities are the same, the details of those qualities differ in each category, please read carefully the specifics of your nominee’s category. Click here for Nomination Criteria.
• We suggest creating your text in a Word document, then copy and paste your information into the nomination form.

You will receive an email confirmation that your nomination has been received and is complete. If you do not receive an email confirmation, contact email us at cces@dpi.nc.gov

Please note: It is the responsibility of the nominator to ensure that the nomination form is submitted completely and accurately. Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.

Winners will receive complimentary conference registration. Send direct questions to cces@dpi.nc.gov.

Congratulations to the 2019 Marvin R. Pittman Champions for Education Award Winners

Teacher	Administrator
Cristina Quattrone 4th Grade Teacher  Tiller School Beaufort, North Carolina	Meredith Williams Principal North Rowan High School Rowan-Salisbury Schools

Support Staff Administrator	Volunteer	Support Staff
Dr. Mary W. Black Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services Cumberland County Schools	Nikii Pittman Human Resources Columbia Forest Products McDowell County Schools	Marie Delany School Counselor Piedmont IB Middle School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools