In addition to Lifetime Achiever, Stellar Performer and other awards, the St. Louis American Foundation will honor eight Excellence in Education awardees at its 27th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala. These awards are given to individual educators for their remarkable success in empowering the lives of our youth. They are our unsung community heroes who meet the challenges of teaching and make a positive difference in the lives of our young people.
Wesley J.C. Bell
Wesley J.C. Bell is an assistant professor of criminal justice at St. Louis Community College–Florissant Valley who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public management from Lindenwood University and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. A practicing attorney and municipal court judge in Velda City, Bell, who began his teaching career at Harris-Stowe State University, uses his experience, expertise and influence to serve the community and provide equitable experiences for young people.
This educator is involved with several organizations, including the Ferguson Youth Initiative, the Mound City Bar Association and the Emerson YMCA. Bell also founded his own organization, the See Justice Club, to give young people a space to become more active in their communities and effectively exercise their own voice. Having been recognized as one of the strongest community leaders in St. Louis, Bell also ran for a St. Louis County Council seat in the August primary.
Nicole Binion
As a youngster, Nicole Binion’s kindergarten teacher went out of her way to ensure that Binion kept pace with her classmates by teaching lessons in Binion’s hospital room following a series of corrective eye surgeries. Her seventh grade teacher further ignited Binion’s passion to become a teacher.
Now a teacher herself, Binion derives the greatest satisfaction from seeing the eyes of her students light up when they learn something new. The youngest of four children, Binion become an elementary school teacher because she thinks the desire to learn is instilled at an early age.
She has spent more than 17 years as an educator in the St. Louis area. A product of St. Louis and Hazelwood public schools, Binion chose to stay in the area to make a difference in the lives and in the community that helped change her life.
Nina Caldwell
Nina Caldwell has provided a decade of service as the vice president of student life at Maryville University, where she also earned her MBA. She has 25 years of experience in higher education and has worked in several public and private institutions including Laney College, University of California–Berkeley and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is also Caldwell’s hometown.
Caldwell’s credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University in elementary education, a master of science in education degree from Illinois State University, and a doctor of education in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco.
This accomplished education professional has also championed student achievement in her personal life, having worked with local organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis and St. Louis Youth Leadership. Caldwell, a recipient of the James J. Rhatigan outstanding dean award, aims to bring the best educational experience to her institution and her community.
Edward Johnson
Edward Johnson initially planned on being a businessman, earning a B.S. in business administration and management from Missouri Baptist University. However, it was brought to his attention that he had an affinity to work with young people. He took this observation to heart and transitioned into a career in education.
The shift to education began at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, where Johnson taught physical education and served as the football and basketball coach. Johnson, who also holds a master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate in educational leadership, went on to become the assistant principal for both Brentwood Middle School and Brentwood High School, where he currently leads as the institution’s first African-American principal.
Johnson continues to focus on providing his students at Brentwood High School with a well-rounded educational experience that includes recognizing the importance of building life skills.
James Paine II
James Paine, II, senior-level administrator and educator, has served the post-secondary educational community in St. Louis for nearly 15 years.
He currently stewards the dean of student services role at Logan University in Chesterfield. He said his role “is focused on co-curricular programming, academic success, remediation services, counseling and psychological services; wellness and health promotion; and character formation and student development.”
He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the College of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an accreditation peer review consultant for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
His scholarly and professional interests include exploring enrollment management trends specific to how students select, stay and succeed within institutions of higher education.
“I think universities need to have an honest dialogue with students of color to glean from those students what types of programs, services and activities will engender them to want to participate,” he said.
Germaine Stewart
Germaine Stewart knew at an early age that she wanted to become a teacher. Stewart’s third grade teacher allowed her to grade papers and help her classmates when she finished her own work.
Now a principal at Twillman Elementary in the Hazelwood School District, Stewart has spent her professional career changing the lives not only of her students, but also coaching her teaching colleagues to implement more creative instructional strategies. Stewart also has challenged herself, taking on responsibilities as a school improvement facilitator, instructional guide and district professional development facilitator.
Her professional career is a testament to the fact that a driven individual can change the culture of a school to one of high expectations and accountability for student, teachers and parents alike.
Jim Triplett
For most 8-year-old boys, the necktie resembles a medieval torture device. For Jim Triplett’s students at Gateway Elementary School, the necktie is a symbol of perseverance and achievement.
Every Friday, Triplett tests his students on math and reading. Those who score 80 percent or above got to select a tie that had been donated by some college fraternity brothers, friends, teachers and colleagues in St. Louis Public Schools. Triplett began the practice in 2012-13, when his current students were in the third grade.
As the practice continued – into fourth grade last year – students were able to keep their ties or select new ones. At the end of the school year, they were allowed to take their neckties home, as a gift for working hard all year long to be a scholar, leader and gentleman.
Martha Warren
Martha Warren has always considered herself to be an educator. “What truly motivated me,” she said, “is that I did not see enough women and people of color pursuing degrees or careers in the sciences.”
As a forensic science teacher at East St. Louis Senior High School, Warren is empowering her students with the vital skills needed to be competitive, teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). With 15 years of experience, she is also helping students increase their ability to be effective communicators teaching speech communication, drama and English courses.
Because of Warren’s capability and dedication many of her students have become nationally acclaimed winners in the Academy of Forensic Science and National Beta Club.
Warren has provided professional development to fellow educators at institutions including Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, educating faculty about the Next Generation Science Standards. Her demonstrated commitment to student achievement is why Warren is one of the most accomplished educators in our region.
The 2014 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, September 12 at the America’s Center Ballroom, following a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $85 each/$850 table, and VIP/Corporate tickets are $1,500 table. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stlamerican.com and click on Salute to Excellence, or call 314-533-8000.
