Wake Education Partnership Honors Those Making a Difference in Education Past and Present

Raleigh, NC, September 20, 2013 --(PR.com)-- At a time when North Carolinians are looking for ways to recognize teachers, Wake Education Partnership (WEP) is launching the first-ever Wake County Public School System Hall of Fame. As part of the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration, the Hall of Fame will honor former Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) students and employees who made major contributions to the system. Teachers awarded WEP 2013 Teacher Leadership Grants will be part of the celebration as many teachers and administrators struggle with the state’s recent decision to forgo raises for teachers.

“The Wake Education Partnership knows without great teachers and education leaders, our students would not be successful,” says Steve Parrott, President of Wake Education Partnership. “We want to make a conscious effort to celebrate their efforts and commitment to Wake children and let them know just how appreciated they are. We encourage everyone to come out and show their support.”

The night of food, cocktails and a silent auction will be Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Marbles Kids Museum, located at 201 E. Hargett St. Tickets are still available. Proceeds from the night go directly to benefit Partnership programs helping teachers in the classroom as they work to increase student performance.

To ensure a wide range of suggestions for the Hall of Fame, the Partnership invited the general public to submit nominations in the categories of education, business, the arts, athletics, community service, and business entrepreneur.

The leaders inducted into the class are as follows:
- Education: Dr. Bill McNeal, former Wake County Public Schools superintendent
- Business: Ann Goodnight, on behalf of SAS
- Community Service: Sherry Worth, lifelong community leader
- Entrepreneur: Zach Clayton, president and CEO of Three Ships Media
- Athletics: David West, NBA player for the Indiana Pacers
- Arts: Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, WCPSS senior administrator of the arts

In addition, the Partnership will honor two individuals with Lifetime Achievement Awards as part of its 30th anniversary celebration. They are former Wake schools superintendent Dr. Bob Bridges and Smedes York, Chairman of York Properties.

Tickets are $75.00 per person and are available for purchase at http://www.wakeedpartnership.org/ or by calling Fran Carruthers at 919-821-7609.

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About Wake Education Partnership:
Wake Education Partnership plays a critical role in helping business leaders, elected officials and educators work toward the common goal of increasing student performance measured against world-class standards. Through its Building Leaders initiative, the work of the Partnership is funded exclusively by investments from the business community and from individuals who want to help children excel in the classroom and succeed in life. For more information, please visit http://www.wakeedpartnership.org.