2007 Branch Award Winners

Childhood Education, Fall 2007

Florida ACEI Outstanding Branch Member Service Award

We are pleased to recognize the work of Elia Vazquez-Montilla with the Outstanding Branch Member Service to ACEI Award. Vazquez has been the FACEI president since Spring 2005. Since then, she has diligently worked on revitalizing the Florida state Branch and demonstrated her outstanding leadership skills as the FACEI President. She has encouraged FGCU students to attend and present at the international and Florida State ACEI conferences, worked on the FACEI nomination committee, served on the local Conference Committee for the ACEI 2007 Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Tampa, Florida, and has volunteered numerous hours to serve the needs of children in Florida. ACEI gratefully recognizes the outstanding service to Florida ACEI and the entire organization.

Best Use of ACEI Materials Award

When considering how to advertise their Student Branch at the 2007 graduation commencement, members of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Eagles Educate ACEI decided to wear stoles bearing the ACEI logo. After obtaining permission and design approval from Headquarters, they identified Branch members who would be interested in purchasing the stoles. Thirty-five Branch members purchased the stoles and wore them at graduation. The project served to show the pride of these graduates in their profession and their professional affiliation with ACEI. It also served as a recruitment tool for other emerging professionals at FGCU. ACEI congratulates these creative members on their graduation and wishes them great success in their service to children.

Best Professional Development Workshop/Conference Award

Educate Your International Flavor is now an annual professional development workshop hosted by the Eagles Educate ACEI Student Branch at Florida Gulf Coast University. The goals of the event are:

1. To offer student members of ACEI an opportunity to gain experience in planning and implementing a major special event

2. To provide a quality professional development experience for Branch members and students at Florida Gulf Coast University

3. To foster an awareness of the similarities and differences between the U.S. education system and other educational models throughout the world

4. To demonstrate the benefits of joining ACEI for nonmembers through professional development activities.

The workshop panel consisted of students from India, Albania, Palestine, Ecuador, and Peru. After responding to four questions about their educational experiences, the panelists shared what preservice and/or practicing teachers should know about their respective cultures and how it influenced education in the United States.

Best Fundraiser Award

Recognizing the need for regular sustenance throughout the school year, the Metro State Denver Student Branch held bake sales on five separate days and raised over $400. These funds were used to support a Student ACEI Conference, help defray the costs to study in England for two ACEI members, and help defray the costs of two members attending the ACEI International Conference and Exhibition. ACEI is pleased to recognize the efforts of Nonnie case, Branch President, for her organization and planning that contributed to the effectiveness of the project.

All ACEI Branch Activity Awards include $100 to further support the activities of the Branch. Plan now to apply for ACEI Branch Activity Awards (www.acei.org/awards.htm). The 2008 deadline is March 15.