Event enriches educators that have enriched SETX youth

Envisioned as a celebration of superior Southeast Texas teachers by Beaumont Foundation founder and Chairman Emeritus Wayne A. Reaud in 2009, the “Reaud Excellence in Education Award” ceremony held May 14 marked the 15th year of recognizing educators whose dedication to inspiring learning in students of all abilities and backgrounds are honored with a formal awards ceremony, a professional portait, crystal obelisk and a check for $10,000 each. Since the program’s inception, Beaumont Foundation of America President and CEO Ed Keller shared, $3.47 million has been placed directly into the hands of educators that help mold the minds of the community’s children. 

“Education is the key to a better future and great teachers are the key to education,” Reaud stated of motivation to offer financial support to educators in the field, adding that those selected as recipients “are outstanding representatives of excellence in education.” 

As in years before, 15 educators were selected for distinguishment from elementary, middle and high schools in the greater Southeast Texas region. Honored as 2024 Reaud Excellence in Education Award recipients were: Cheryl Spangler of Dishman Elementary, Allison Morgan McBride of Highland Park Elementary School, Leisa Miller of Orangefield Elementary School, Betsy Richter of Silsbee Elementary School, Cindy Brandenburg of Buna Elementary School, Rodondria R. Bradley of Pietzsch-MacArthur, Candace Abshier of Hamshire-Fannett Middle School, Staci Glach of Vidor Middle School, Brittany Granger of Hardin-Jefferson Junior High School, Christy Campbell Haymon of Newton Middle School, Delcie Thomas of Beaumont Early College High School, Robin McEachen of Nederland High School, Daniel Auchenbach of Bridge City High School, Karissa Ellis of Kountze High School and Krystal Hayes of Woodville High School. 

In presenting the educators with their gifts, Keller was joined by the Rev. Dr. John Adolph, who served as the master of ceremonies, and Beaumont Foundation of America Chairman of the Board, Reagan A. Reaud, a man who said he is not only following in the philanthropic footsteps left by his father, Wayne Reaud, but who is also taking up the calling placed on his father’s heart to be of service to others in his hometown. 

“If you love me, feed my sheep,” Reagan Reaud reiterated of words spoken to and through his father time and time again. Wayne Reaud has long held that God commands those with means to use the bestowed blessings to be a blessing to others. “He’s done that – and he taught me to do the same.” 

Taking up the torch passed on with the Beaumont Foundation’s mission to enhance the lives of children, youth, families and the elderly with a focus on improving education, health care and social services, Reagan Reaud said he is ready and willing to lead the nonprofit into the future by being true to the foundation of the Foundation’s past: “I’m grateful to God and I’m grateful to my father for their faith in me and I shall try my best to be worthy.” 

Reagan Reaud expressed gratitude to educators that have excelled in the face of challenges in the current education climate of Texas, faced with funding and staffing shortages, high-capacity classrooms, students in distress and ever-changing standards of review. Addressing the state’s support of the same educators, event keynote speaker and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan spoke of initiatives underway for teacher-supported advancements, as well as funding opportunities akin to those already secured for Southeast Texas institutions such as Lamar University, the newly-minted Christus Hospital Orange and the coming inpatient mental health care center in Beaumont. 

“I did all I could to get a deal done,” Phelan said of securing funding for teacher raises and school support during the last legislative session. 

Among the top numbered 20 House bills, Phelan said of the Speaker priority bills presented to committees, the lion’s share would have improved funding for public education; all failed to garner the support of a divided House. 

Phelan expressed that support of polarization along party lines has stunted progress throughout the state, especially in education. Working to educate Texas youth, Phelan said, is not intrinsic to a single political party, race or tax bracket; instead, it is incumbent on the entirety of the community to place importance on the opportunities afforded to the next generation. 

“I work with everybody,” Phelan said, expressing that his willingness to work with the entire House to advance policy has ensured heated contention in his most recent bid for re-election. If it’s good for Texas, especially Southeast Texas, Phelan added, he’ll work with anyone elected to the House of Representatives. “I hope I’m there to have your back in 2025.” 

“I am not done. Truth be told, there is so much more we can do,” Phelan said, pointing to fellow House of Representatives officials of like mind willing to work to advance Texas, its inhabitants, and its public education. “We have so much more work to do. We are just getting started.” 

To continue the hard work Phelan has undertaken for Southeast Texas in Austin, Reagan Reaud said, those benefitting from the advocacy of the prestigious position of the Texas Speaker of the House need to make their voices heard at the polls. 

“Whatever your politics are, I would ask you to consider rising above them,” Reagan Reaud urged, “because a vote for Dade is a vote for Southeast Texas.” 

Whatever the future holds in politics, in economics, in education … Reagan Reaud prayed that the esteemed educators honored during the evening’s program leave knowing that the effort they have made to make the world a better place has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. 

“When we look at the world today, we can be tempted to see only division, anger, violence, lawlessness, disorder,” he shared. “We can choose to view the world through that lens, or we can choose to see the world one person at a time – one person you can see; one person you can educate … and that’s what you all do as teachers. 

“You have devoted yourself, one person at a time, to supplanting the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge, and we salute you.”