Simon Youth Foundation National Teacher of the Year is named

Beth Brunton with
SYF President and CEO J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.

The Simon Youth Foundation has named Beth Brunton, a teacher at the Simon Youth Academy at Northgate Mall, its 2011 National Teacher of the Year. Brunton received the honor at an Oct. 10 dinner reception honoring her and past winners that was part of the the SYF Annual Conference, which is being held Oct. 9-12, in Shaumburg, Ill. 

As part of her award, Brunton received a $1,000 grant for the purchase of new supplies, equipment or other enhancements at her school, which is one of 23 Simon Youth Academies in 13 states that operate in partnership between SYF and local school districts. Seattle Public Schools are the local school partner of the Simon Youth Academy at Northgate Mall.

At Northgate, Brunton serves as the site coordinator, and she teaches all humanities courses, including languge arts, civics, law and U.S. history. Over ten years, Brunton's guidance has helped sustain and innovate the school's program for the past ten years. On Sunday, Oct. 9, Brunton accepted a plaque from SYF recognizing the school's decade of service to the Seattle community.

Cindy Nash, the principal of Brunton's academy says Brunton always goes the extra mile for students. 

“She finds a way to get the needed resources to help students overcome obstacles that prevent them from succeeding in school,” Nash says.

The SYF Annual Conference is running in conjunction with the 23rd National Dropout Prevention Network Conference (NDPNC), and as part of her award for being SYF’s top teacher, Brunton was named a featured speaker at the NDPNC, lecturing on Tuesday, Oct. 11, about her personal best practices for alternative schools.

  

Brunton presents at the 23rd Annual NDPNC

“It takes a special kind of educator to connect with these students. Beth Brunton is one of these educators, because she knows that all students want to learn but sometimes require something different from the traditional to find success,” says J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., the President and CEO of SYF. “I am proud to name her the Simon Youth Foundation 2011 National Teacher of the Year."

Northgate Mall, the Simon property where Brunton's academy operates, is a partner of SYF. The mall’s management team helps raise funds for the school and SYF with mall-based events throughout the year.

"Beth Brunton is an amazing woman, not just a teacher," says Matthew Bourassa, the General Manager at Northgate Mall. "Beth is a leader who is as passionate and caring a person that exists in this world, and she dedicates her life to the students at our academy."

Brunton was one of six finalists for the 2011 SYF National Teacher of the Year award, and each of the award candidates received a small recognition plaque at the SYF Teacher of the Year award dinner.