BACC release – COOS BAY, Ore. – The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce believes that great education and a great economy go hand in hand. Thriving businesses support a healthy education, and graduates who are ready for work or college strengthen our local businesses and community. The Chamber has a goal of building bridges between business and education throughout the Bay Area. To that end, the Chamber hands out three awards annually, open to educators from pre‐school to college, in public, private and alternative settings. This year’s awards are: Innovation in Teaching — Stephanie Howe, Marshfield High School: Stephanie Howe came to Marshfield High School in 2012 as a 10-grade English teacher and hit the ground running. Catherine Hampton, a former Chamber education winner, stated: “I have watched Stephanie over the past few years build a strong award-winning yearbook program even though she had no previous experience. Not only is she highly respected by her students, but she is also an excellent leader among her peers as the department chair of the English Department. She is very intelligent, motivated and organized in all she does and an all-around amazing educator.” Contributor to Education – Bill Berrian, North Bend School District: Bill Berrian is a counselor and supporter of students daily. While completing arduous numbers of psychoeducational evaluations, Bill maintains a positive attitude and performs all tasks with grace, compassion and the highest of ethics. Allyson McNeill, special education director for North Bend School District, said this about Berrian: “Bill has a knack for leading student teams to student focused decisions and helps teams problem solve mental health issues, behavior concerns, and learning problems.  He treats everyone with dignity and respect; he follows all moral and ethical expectations of his role. Countless students have been successful graduates due to their relationship with Bill or due to the assessments/work he has done in their behalf. “ Unsung Hero – Nicole Ault, Blossom Gulch Elementary School: Nicole Ault is a first-grade teacher who loves her students not just for a school year, but throughout their educational journey. She has been known to go to events and graduations of her former students, to remind them of how proud she is to have known them and taught them. Ault is known to spend her own money on school supplies and ensures no student goes without.  Her love for education shines through each day she works. Blossom Gulch Assistant Principal Kara Davidson said, “Nicole is a dedicated teacher who is driven by her desire to constantly meet the ever-changing needs of all of her students” From these three honorees, the Chamber will select its Bay Area Educator of the Year, to be announced at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 26. For more information, or to reserve banquet tickets, please contact: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (541) 266-0868  info@oregonsbayarea.org