Second-Grade Teacher Leigh Stewart Honored as 2008-09 Daniel-Mickel Foundation Master Teacher

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CCES Board member and parent Charles Mickel, far right, presents the Daniel-Mickel Foundation
Master Teacher Award to Leigh Stewart as Lower School Director Denise Pearsall and
Headmaster Lee Cox look on approvingly.



"Leigh Stewart has a heart for teaching, for children, and for seeing the best in all of us. She models all of the IB attitudes within her classroom and in our school community."

So wrote Lower School Director Denise Pearsall and Asst. Director Valerie Riddle in their nomination of second-grade teacher Leigh Stewart, whom they praised as "a model of compassion and integrity," for the Lower School Daniel-Mickel Foundation Award.

Foundation representative Charles Mickel presented the 2008-09 award to Stewart during Lower School Chapel. Immediately following the annoucement, as Stewart made her way to the altar from the pews, her family members emerged from behind the sanctuary, where they had been kept hidden.



According to tradition, the announcement of the Master Teacher Award is always kept secret from the recipient, although family members are notified in advance so they can be on hand for the award.

"My mom just got an award as the nicest teacher in the school," said Stewart's daughter. Her son arrived just after the service, saying breathlessly, "I was in P.E., and I ran all the way here from the football field."

Stewart, who has a bachelors degree from Presbyterian College and a masters from Georgia State University, has been teaching for 11 years, six of them at CCES. She taught Primer here for several years before "moving up" to second grade.

In accepting the award, Stewart said, "It is such a pleasure to work here. I have such wonderful students and colleagues and administrators. I look forward to coming to work here every day."

An article about Leigh and her approach to teaching and learning will appear in the fall issue of Highlights.

The Master Teacher Award, which carries with it a $2,500 no-strings-attached check, is made possible by an endowment from the Daniel-Mickel Foundation. Recipients are nominated and chosen by the Headmaster, Associate Headmaster, Division Directors, and representatives of the Foundation, School Board, Parents Organization, and Alumni Association.