4/26/2023
Education and Outreach
When teacher Darren Motamedy inherited the struggling band program at Walter Johnson Junior High School, he dived into transforming it.
He obtained a variety of grants to purchase $50,000 worth of new instruments and equipment – providing opportunities for many at-risk students to join the band. Providing free lessons for students, he also raised over $100,000 for every band student to participate in out-of-state field trips.
“I have achieved success at Johnson Junior High during my 13 years by taking it one step at a time,” Motamedy says. “It’s the little things that I do on a daily basis that become the model for success.”
Motamedy represents just one of numerous teachers who go above and beyond at Clark County School District (CCSD).
And many of these hardworking educators received the recognition they deserve on April 21, at The Smith Center’s eighth-annual Heart of Education Awards, celebrating outstanding CCSD teachers.
Several hundred finalists attended this red-carpet event powered by The Rogers Foundation, which included live entertainment and acclaimed TV journalist Gayle King as the keynote speaker.
The Smith Center honored the top 20 teachers, Motamedy among them, as Heart of Education Award winners. Each honoree received a commemorative medallion, a $5,000 cash award and a $1,000 donation to the school program of their choice.
“It’s critically important that we recognize our educators for their hard work and dedication,” says Myron Martin, Smith Center president and CEO. “(The Heart of Education Awards) acknowledges the many incredible stories of how so many teachers give it their all to engage and enrich students’ lives.”
A Night of Celebrities and Swag Bags
Marking The Smith Center’s final year of presenting the Heart of Education Awards, this event honored CCSD teachers with dazzling star power.
The evening featured Broadway performer Jim Caruso as emcee, and included performances by Vegas favorites like Clint Holmes.
Teachers gave enthusiastic applause for King, cohost of “CBS Mornings,” who remains renowned for her interviews with world leaders, political figures and celebrities.
Each finalist also received a swag bag with items from a wide variety of community businesses.
Teachers with Stunning Accomplishments
This year’s award recipients make a tremendous impact in students’ lives.
The honorees include Brooke Wheatley of Valley High School, who obtained $14,000 in grant funding to take her Title 1 students on a powerful field trip to Manzanar Japanese internment camps. She further raised $11,000 to purchase holiday gifts for low-income students.
As counselor with E.W. Griffith Elementary, Ashley Leon Ramirez ensures the yearly distribution of 2,850 bags of food and 500 pairs of new shoes to students in need.
At West Career and Technical Academy, all 32 students in Patricia Buono’s accounting class passed the national test to become certified as tax preparers for the IRS.
And in developing a school fitness club at C.C. Ronnow Elementary School, Stephanie Graville has helped students transform their health, with one student even losing 25 pounds.
These stories embody why The Rogers Foundation has supported the Heart of Education Awards from the start.
“Teachers have continued to work their magic for our students in Clark County,” says Beverly Rogers, Chairman of the Board of The Rogers Foundation. “They’ve created engaging and stimulating learning environments and have made impactful connections with their students. We are humbled and honored to celebrate them as they are truly creating magic in the lives of our youth.”
The 2023 Heart of Education Award recipients include:
Blagojce Andreevski, John F. Miller School
Dr. Sonya Blackwell-Muhammad, Rancho High School
Gary Brown, Valley High School
Patricia Buono, West Career and Technical Academy
Carolyn Cannon, Sandra B. Abston Elementary School
Kim Celaya, Del E. Webb Middle School
Chi Chen, Northwest Career and Technical Academy
Sheree Flores, Summit View Youth Center
Stephanie Graville, C.C. Ronnow Elementary School
Dr. Russell Hermansen, Desert Pines High School
Holly Jones, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
Ashley Leon Ramirez, E.W. Griffith Elementary School
James Miller, Ed. W. Clark High School
Darren Motamedy, Walter Johnson Junior High School
Johnny Nguyen, Advanced Technologies Academy
Rachel Ruttan, Rancho High School
Victor Smith, Laura Dearing Elementary School
Christina Wellendorf, John C. Fremont Professional Development Middle School
Robert West, III, Ed. W. Clark High School
Brooke Wheatley, Valley High School
SMGHA/Palms served as this year’s Teacher Awards Sponsor. Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas provided support as this year’s School Award Sponsor, and AutoNation Toyota Las Vegas as the Gift Bag Sponsor. The events Major Supporters included Allegiant, iLuminate, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Review Journal/Las Vegas Sun, Spiegelworld, Potted Potter, TicketKite, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, and Wynn Resorts.
Community supporters included The Australian Bee Gees Show, Aveda Institute of Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment, Cashman Photo, Desert Companion, Discovery Children’s Museum, FOREO, Franklin Covey, Freed’s Bakery, Kalifano, Kendra Scott, Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix, Massage Envy, NV Energy Foundation, Nothing Bundt Cakes – Sahara, Piff the Magic Dragon, Showboy Bakeshop, Silver State Schools Credit Union, South Point Casino, Station Casinos, Teach for America, Teaspoon, Terry Fator Foundation, Topgolf Las Vegas, UMC, UNLV College of Education, Wow – The Vegas Spectacular, and Zappos for Good.