Western & Southern Financial Group announced today that Meggan Johnson, intervention specialist at Woodward Career Technical High School, has been named the 2021 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year.
Johnson was chosen by Western & Southern from finalists who were nominated by their peers in Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) for the award. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Western & Southern could not hold its usual in-person event. However, a virtual ceremony was held to honor the finalists and announce Johnson as the award recipient. WLWT-TV anchor Courtis Fuller served as emcee, and John F. Barrett, Western & Southern’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Laura Mitchell, superintendent of CPS, congratulated the finalists. Johnson will receive a plaque and a personal check for $10,000.
“We are very pleased to recognize Meggan for her dedication to creating a love for learning in her students and serving as an exemplary role model,” Barrett said. “Recognizing educators like Meggan and preparing young people for the future is a focus of Western & Southern in its efforts to help make Cincinnati the best place to live, work and celebrate life.”
“Meggan’s leadership at her school and impact on student achievement is truly impressive,” Mitchell said. “We thank Western & Southern for honoring Meggan and commend all of the educators who were nominated.”
Western & Southern established the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award in 2007 to inspire and reward excellence among CPS educators. This distinguished award honors one educator each year who has elevated the educational process in public schools to an exceptional level through personal commitment, dedicated focus and outstanding results. The namesake of the award, Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins, was a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, a well-respected Cincinnati educator, former executive vice president of administration at the University of Cincinnati and former Western & Southern board member. He passed away in 2009.
For more information on the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award, visit www.westernsouthern.com/hawkinsaward.
About Cincinnati Public Schools
At Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), we are preparing students for life by creating more choices and more opportunities for our 35,000 students and their families. It starts with preschool where over 93% of our classrooms have earned a 5-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education. Our high school students have a variety of choices for career-focused programming, ensuring that our graduates are enrolled in college, enlisted in the military or employed. Our strategic initiatives will ensure that CPS is a place where students can thrive, shine and succeed.
