Fischler School Honors Educators at Carrie P. Meek Awards

Former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek and H. Wells Singleton, Ph.D., education provost and university dean of the Fischler School of Education and Human Services, at her namesake awards.	From left: Delores Smiley, Ed.D., dean of community Education and diversity affairs at the Fischler School, honoree Fran Rubinstein, former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek and Broward Schools Superintendent Jim Notter at the Sixth Annual Carrie P. Meek Awards.

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The Fischler School of Education and Human Services’ Black Heritage Council recently celebrated Black History Month with the Fifth Annual Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Award Ceremony, a salute to exemplary community members who continuously and positively impact the lives of African Americans in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The awards ceremony was held Feb. 26 at the Signature Grand in Davie in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek’s work as a lifelong educator and public servant.

The event drew educators, government officials and community leaders from Miami-Dade and Broward counties for an evening of entertainment and recognition honoring the lives of individuals whose work has positively impacted the African American community.

This year’s honorees were A. Louise Harms, former principal of North Twin Lakes Elementary and Community School in Hialeah, and Fran Rubinstein, principal of Tedder Elementary School in Pompano Beach. Both steered their schools from failing grades to sustaining exceptional grades of As and Bs over the past five years.

Local community activist Rodney Baltimore of HOT 105 was also recognized for his efforts in supporting educational and community initiatives.

This year, Coach Ken Carter served as keynote for the fundraising event. The tough-as-nails coach made national news in 1999 when he benched his undefeated varsity basketball team for failing to honor contracts each player signed promising to maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class, and wear a jacket and tie on game day. His unwavering determination to hold the team accountable for their commitments and the controversy surrounding this event led to the film Coach Carter (2005), where actor Samuel L. Jackson portrayed Carter.

The proceeds from the Fifth Annual Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Award Ceremony will benefit the FSEHS Black Heritage Council Scholarship Fund.

For more information about the awards ceremony and the Black Heritage Council, please visit www.schoolofed.nova.edu/bhc.