June 8, 2005
For Immediate Release                                                        

Sheerer Selected as a Finalist for 2005 Jay Robinson Leadership Award

Raleigh, NC – Marilyn Sheerer attended the 2005 Jay Robinson Leadership Award ceremony in Raleigh on June 6th.  Sheerer was among three finalists including Resident Superior Court Judge Howard E. Manning, Jr. and Dr. Donald Martin, Superintendent Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools considered for the award. The award honors the extraordinary leadership and service of Dr. Jay Robinson, former school superintendent and State Board of Education Chair.  Dr. Robinson is best remembered as the architect of the state’s ABCs accountability plan.  The award was established by the Public School Forum Board of Directors.  It is given to anyone who has displayed innovative, creative, effective leadership for public education in North Carolina.

Sheerer’s endorser, Charles R. Coble, Vice President for Policy & Programs with the Education Commission of the States, had this to say about her.  “Dean Sheerer’s leadership has been a major impetus for ECU’s continued success.  During her tenure, ECU has been awarded the Christa McAuliffe Award for exemplary teacher education, and more than $5 million to address the issues of retention and renewal of science and math teachers in rural areas.  Dean Sheerer is courageous and speaks truth to power.  At the NC Legislator’s Retreat she stressed the need for policymakers to fund a statewide mentoring and introduction model to provide effective support to new teachers and administrators.  She is rightly termed a crusader for educational achievement.”

Judge Howard E. Manning, Jr. was named the fifth recipient of the Jay Robinson Leadership Award given jointly by the Public School Forum of NC and Progress Energy.  The Public School Forum was joined in partnership by Progress Energy who provided the $5,000 prize for the recipient. While thanking Progress Energy for its support of public education and the Jay Robinson Leadership Award, Judge Manning declined to accept the financial prize.   

Although Dean Sheerer was honored to be considered for the award she is excited for Judge Manning.  "I was absolutely thrilled to stand beside Judge Manning and share the occasion with him.  He has made significant decisions that impact the state of affairs for low-wealth school districts in the State.  I am one of his biggest fans!"

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For more information, contact Jessica W. Davenport, Director of Communications in the College of Education, 252-328-2179.