George Awards Presented at MICROSOCIETY’s 18th Annual National Conference
Outstanding Principal
 Pamela Sanders
Principal, Avalon Elementary School
Orange County Public Schools
Orlando, Florida
Ms. Sanders is a 25- year veteran principal in the Orange County Public Schools and one of the longest-tenured MicroSociety practitioners in the country. A 2010 National Blue Ribbon School, Avalon Elementary School has been recognized as one of the top performing elementary schools in the entire nation. Her students also recently placed second in the world in an international math competition. Ms. Sanders helped launch a series of Florida MicroSociety schools in the early years, including Rock Springs Elementary School, and has kept the MicroSociety flame alive for more than two decades. She continues to be on the cutting edge of global education, taking her staff on expeditions to other countries, including this year’s trip to China.
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Outstanding Coordinator
Lynda Sullivan
Coordinator, Imagine School at South Vero 
Vero Beach, Florida Ms. Sullivan’s commitment to MicroSociety’s guiding principles has not only made her the most nominated George Award recipient ever, but Imagine at South Vero is also the first school in the nation to receive MicroSociety’s 4 Star designation. Examples of evidence warranting this designation include a Petco-supported student venture, Zoo Tycoon, started by third grader, Noah Bamberg, which won the Outstanding Venture George Award last year. More than 200 parents attended the school’s “Micro” night in the Spring. Just two weeks later, a large contingent of grandparents arrived from around the country to attend a Micro night as well. In 2009, the school won Imagine Schools’ Shared Values Award, awarded from among all 71 Imagine Schools in the country.
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Outstanding Innovator
 Donna Wilson
Sioux Falls, SD
Donna Wilson is a true visionary who can be credited for so many of MICROSOCIETY’s successes. Starting as a certified trainer in 1997, Donna helped establish the first MicroSociety middle school in the nation at West Middle in Sioux City, Iowa. Under Donna’s leadership, West received the FINE (First in the Nation in Education) Award for school improvement resulting from the MicroSociety program. During her 13-year tenure with the MICROSOCIETY organization, she helped to expand the number of MicroSociety sites nationwide and established a trusted rapport with staff, trainers and educators. She later assumed the role of National Training Director and Vice President of Program, where she co-authored curriculum currently used in MicroSociety schools as well as train-the-trainer toolkits. Prior to MicroSociety, Donna was a Fullbight Scholar, wrote curriculum at the district and state levels, and won “Teacher of the Year.” But she is most proud of her 33 years spent in the classroom. Donna is heart and soul of the MicroSociety movement.
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Outstanding Parent  PTO, Lone Tree Elementary School
Lone Tree, CO
Douglas County Schools could not have offered MicroSociety without its PTO! This highly committed contingent of parents raised all of the funds needed to start the only MicroSociety school in Colorado thus representing MicroSociety’s guiding principle that Parents are Partners and Contributors in the education of their children. After its first year, Lone Tree reached its academic goals in reading and writing. In 2009, the percentage of students who met or exceeded standards significantly increased at all grade levels and exceeded expectations when compared to the overall state and district results.
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Outstanding Community Partner Dora Brown 
Senior Vice President, International Bank of Commerce
McAllen, TX
Over the past 13 years, Dora Brown has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of youth in IBC communities and has advocated for the MicroSociety way of learning. She has since recruited partners such as Target and HEB, and has created one of the most dynamic business-oriented MicroSociety schools in the country, Sam Houston Elementary, in McAllen Independent School District. Ms. Brown has also volunteered her time to help expand the number of MicroSociety sites throughout Southern Texas.
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Outstanding Teacher  Patricia Earle
4th grade teacher, Joseph Keels Elementary School
Richland School District 2
Columbia, SC
Patricia Earle is a fourth grade teacher who is considered the inspiring force behind Joseph Keel’s MicroSociety implementation. As part of Keel’s School of Entrepreneurial Leadership, their school-within-a-school, Ms. Earle taught students to become socially responsible individuals. For example, in partnership with local farmers Walter P. Rawl and Ray Kersey and as part of the state’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a locally-grown fruit and produce stand was created and run by students to provide them with healthy choices for good nutrition.
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Outstanding Administrator Eileen Bakke 
Vice President of Education, Imagine Schools
Arlington, Virginia
Eileen Bakke strives for educational excellence by working with school leaders to create a positive school culture that empowers students and staff to turn ideas into reality. A former teacher and education writer for PBS children’s television and The Council of Basic Education, she has helped build a supportive charter network that has grown to 71 schools across 14 states, serving more than 36,000 students--the largest charter network in the country. The Imagine Schools philosophy embodies strong character and shared decision-making, aligning fully with the MicroSociety model.
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Student Category
Outstanding Student Agency  Westboro TV News
MicroSociety Magnet School
Jonesboro Public Schools
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Students write, shoot and film all of the content for their non-profit public television station. This news station keeps citizens up-to-date on current affairs with news segments and public service announcements. Every student has a creative voice in developing this real world agency. MicroSociety Magnet in Jonesboro is a 3-Star school, and is currently considered one of the best certified MicroSociety schools in the entire nation.
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Outstanding Student Venture  Happy Feet
Oak Park MicroSociety Elementary School
Caddo Public Schools
Shreveport, Louisiana
In the venture “Happy Feet,” students integrate music, art, math and language arts in a fun hands-on business that is part museum/part-dance studio. They had to research history of swing dance and in doing so, learned and produced an instructional DVD called “Swing for Dummies.” They also provide dance lessons for a fee and dance mats which can be bought at a gift shop. What’s best is that the grade level expectations are totally aligned in K through 5 so that employees as well as customers are demonstrating the benchmarks in their state standards. Oak Park was officially removed from corrective action just two years after implementing the MicroSociety model. Scores rose 36 points to 98% advanced or proficient in math and 18 points to 96% advanced or proficient in English. |
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Student Leadership  Avi Matarasso
Lyons Creek Middle School
A MicroSociety Business & Entrepreneurial Magnet School
Broward County Public Schools
Coconut Creek, FL
Known for his easygoing manner, Avi served as liaison between teachers, administrators and students. He has received a long list of awards including the Principal’s Award, 3rd place in both the county science fair and literary fair, and recognized for his leadership by his city government. An esteemed member of the National Junior Honor Society, Avi served as assistant manager of Peer Production, a puppet show theatre company in his MicroSociety program and held the position of school treasurer. Lyons Creek, an “A” list magnet school for 10 years, was recognized as a Florida innovative model to be replicated in 2009.
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Tom Malone Lifetime Achievement Award Sylvia Sanchez
MicroSociety Coordinator, Sageland Elementary School
Ysleta Independent School District
El Paso, TX
Under her tenure, Ms. Sanchez helped turn around Sageland Elementary, which went on to become a National Blue Ribbon School and earn Exemplary status, the highest accountability rating in Texas. Described by her colleagues as an ethical leader, pro-active visionary and skilled community organizer, Ms. Sanchez’ 20-year legacy has inspired an entire generation of teachers and students. |
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The HEART Award  Suzanne Downing
Taylor, Michigan
Suzanne Downing embodies the definition of the MicroSociety HEART Strand; “The balance between the soul and the mind that we think of wholeness and call integrity.” A school turnaround specialist and one of MICROSOCIETY’S most talented Certified Trainers, Ms. Downing strikes that rare balance– a razor sharp insight into what each student needs to want to succeed in school and the compassion and tenacity to create learning environments in which they can. Ms. Downing has been a beloved teacher and principal, as well as consultant on 21st century skills. She has worked on numerous policy initiatives including a White House task force on education. |
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Rookie of the Year Category
Elementary School  Indian Trail Elementary School
Jefferson County Public Schools
Louisville, Kentucky
This high-powered elementary school pushed the envelope all through their first year of training; wrote a school constitution, held elections early and student-led ventures made tons of money! Not only that, but the entire student body participates in a daily “Micro” period where the student legislature passed 13 bills this past year. Students even started a Bureau of Census and Statistics! Plus, the school has already partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. With such a successful implementation, enrollment has already jumped for next school year. Indian Trail is one of 13 new district magnet schools in Jefferson County Public Schools, funded by the federal magnet schools award program in 2007.
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Middle School  J.S. Clark MicroSociety Academy
Caddo Public Schools
Shreveport, LA
Everyone knows the challenges middle schools face, but since the Clark City MicroSociety community was established in 2009, test scores at Clark have increased double digits! One of the lowest-performing schools in the state, Clark now shows evidence of student engagement, discipline and order. Students are even requesting extra tutoring after school. And, according to a teacher observational audit on student engagement, 85% of students were actively engaged in learning- way up from September. Clark staff also participates in Making Middle Grades Work, an initiative of the Louisiana Department of Education . The Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Greater Leadership Team were also stunned by student business presentations. As one newly motivated student shared, “Micro has made it clear to me that I want to do better in school and in life.” |
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After School  Grant Middle School, Elev8 New Mexico
Albuquerque Public Schools
Albuquerque, New Mexico
This Elev8 New Mexico site received the After School George Award for many reasons, but its innovations in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) place it in the forefront of MicroSociety after school programs nationwide. Community partnerships include Sandia National Labs, University of New Mexico, an environmental lawyer from the Wilderness Alliance, local high schools, and other businesses and organizations. Site Coordinator, John “Parry” Silcox, recruited volunteers based on student interests in rocketry, sustainable energy, computer technology, and related STEM careers. Students will soon be able to export their products between all of Elev8’s New Mexico sites using an innovative web portal. |
Click below to view our past awardees: 1997 - 2009:
2009 - Real World Learning: Science, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2008 - Real World Learning: For The Global Child, San Diego, California
2007 - Education for the 21st Century, Tucson, Arizona
2006 - Voice and Choice, Detroit, Michigan
Other Conference Awardees: 1997 - 2005 |