Catherine Hernández and her husband, Dr. Steven Steel (president of the Toledo Board of Education), were presented awards at the Ohio School Boards Association’s regional Spring Conference in Bowling Green, Ohio on Thursday, March 12, 2009.

Hernández, a 4th grade teacher at Whittier Elementary, in Toledo, was recognized at the OSBA Spring Regional Conference for achieving her National Board Certification. Ms. Hernández is one of 175 teachers in Ohio, who recently attained their National Board Certification.

La Familia Steel/Hernández recognized at the OSBA regional Spring Conference in Bowling Green. Catherine Hernández and Steven Steel accepted their awards with their daughter Ruthie Steel Hernández. They are flanked by Catherine’s father and mother, Nick and Julia Hernández, OSBA President Tawana Lynn Keels, and OSBA Director Rick Lewis.

“Education is extremely important,” said Hernández, originally from East Toledo. “I am proud to be a graduate of Toledo Public Schools, and to give back to my community as a teacher in Toledo Public Schools. Every one of my students is special in their own way; I plan lessons to help them each reach their unique potentials.”

 

Dr. Steel was given the Award of Achievement, awarded to school board members in recognition of their commitment to training and leadership activities, while serving on their board of education, along with supporting regional and statewide OSBA activities.

This award of distinction is given annually to a very select group of community leaders – this year only 74 individuals across the State of Ohio will receive the award. Of the more than 3,400 school board members in Ohio, Dr. Steel is one of only five in northwest Ohio to receive the honor for 2009.

 

“I am proud to represent Toledo Public Schools on a number of state and national groups, such as the Board Member Cabinet for Governor Strickland and the Federal Relations Network, which lobbies Congress on behalf of our school children,” said Dr. Steel. “This award recognizes the importance of Board member service in advancing crucial initiatives in support of public education.”
 
The Ohio School Boards Association is in its 54th year of service to public education and represents the state’s public school boards.