Deana Burgess Award
The Deana Burgess Award: Outstanding Partner in Teacher Education
The following remarks were made by Dean Janet Fields at the The John H. Lounsbury College of Education 2003 Awards Ceremony. The Partnership in Education Award was named in Deana Burgess's memory at that ceremony.
Deana Wells Burgess was an alumna of GCSU receiving her bachelor, masters, and specialist degrees from GCSU. Deana also received her gifted certification from GCSU. Deana worked for Baldwin County and John Milledge Academy before coming to GCSU as the field-based teacher liaison in August of 2000. Deana lost her life tragically in an automobile accident one year ago today.
Deana quickly won her way into the hearts of everyone who came in contact with her. Her vivacious personality won her the nickname "Dynamo Deana". Deana was the recipient of the outstanding partner in teacher education award in May of 2001. In her letter of application to GCSU Deana described herself as "highly organized, efficient, concerned and enthusiastic with things going on in the field of education"She continued by stating that "After many years of teaching, the flame was dwindling. The professors at GCSU that I had during my specialist work rekindled that flame." I think all of those who worked with Deana during the two years she served as field-based teacher liaison would say that she brought that flame with her back to GCSU and to our partner schools and caught us all on fire!
Deana taught us all the value of life, that we should savor every second, that, now I'm really telling my age, as the commercial used to say, "It is good to the last drop!" and so she would encourage each one of us to make the most of each moment.
I would like to share these words from John Burroughs in honor of Deana:
I would rather be ashes than dust.
I would rather my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze, than it should be stifled in dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy permanent planet.
Man's chief purpose is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time!
John Burroughs
And so, we would like to recognize two distinguished partners in education who, like Deana, realize the importance of time and have given of themselves in the furtherance of education.
The Deana Burgess Outstanding Partner in Teacher Education Award is given to persons who have worked effectively with the Education Preparation Unit as partners in the professional preparation programs. Multiple awards can be given (one for each program) to persons who have worked with the unit as partners These people could be teachers, principals, or other school professionals. They are nominated by the mentor leaders at each site and recommended to the dean. This is not necessarily an annual award; rather it is given when the right persons are identified.
| 1998 | Jim Kauffman; Tom Madison; Norma Akins |
| 1999 |
Jim Prance; Jeannie Hodge; Bill Rowe |
| 2000 | Marion Payne; Sharon Patterson; Lois Stroman |
| 2001 | Deana Burgess |
| 2002 | Kathryn Blanks; Cecil Patterson |
|
2003 |
Wells Primary Faculty & Staff--Janne Childs, Principal Clifton Ridge Faculty & Staff--Susan Eilers, Principal |
| 2004 |
Child and Family Development Center, Baldwin County Mrs. Revel Pogue, GCSU Liaison Joy Williamson, Putnam Middle School Jeannette Gilles, Hancock County Gena Ray, Oak Hill Middle School Dr. Mike Hall, GA Deputy State Superintendent |
| 2005 | Deborah McClendon, Oak Hill Middle School |
| 2006 | Awanna Leslie, Hancock County |
| 2007 |
Blandy Hills Elementary School Faculy and Staff--Mr. Raymond Braziel, Principal |
| 2008 |
James Allen, Douglas County Jim LeBrun, Jones County |
| 2009 |
Montessori of Macon--Ms. Tanya Melville, Education Director Mattie Wells Elementary School--Mr. Kevin Sterling, Principal Baldwin County GNETS Goergia College Early College--Ms. Camille Daniel-Tyson, Principal |
