AEF Supports the Educator of the Year
In the 2022-23 school year, Derrick Lyons, Encinal Jr. Sr. High School’s CTE Marketing Pathway teacher, collaborated with the Alameda Chamber of Commerce to develop a Junior Chamber program with the help of AUSD CTE pathway specialist, Felicia Vargas. A Teacher Mini Grant from AEF supported Mr. Lyon’s research and planning for this program.
Mr. Lyons wrote: “I want to thank AEF for the mini grant that I was honored to receive to expand our engagement between Alameda Chamber of Commerce and my marketing classes at Encinal Jr. Sr. High School. Two years ago the Chamber partnered with me to establish a Junior Chamber with my advanced marketing students. My students love this because they are eager to connect with more Alameda business owners to understand real-world marketing challenges they face.”
“I wanted to share a highlight from this year’s Junior Chamber program. I connected with Allie Hawkins, owner of Bay Lights Charters, a sailing charter company that recently made Alameda their new home. Ms. Hawkins made two presentations to my students to get their ideas for improving the charter boat company’s social media impact. After meeting with my classes Ms. Hawkins wrote, “Both marketing classes were full of ideas about how to boost our social media presence online and how we can improve our website. It was such a pleasure to work with Derrick Lyons and I am hoping to continue the relationship next year since I found it very fruitful.”
“Thank you for the mini grant that allowed me to dedicate time beyond the school day to make the Junior Chamber initiative a success. I was truly honored when the Chamber named me Educator of the Year. I was happy to know that AEF’s executive director Vicki Sedlack was also honored by the Chamber with the Community Leader Award at the same ceremony. Thank you, AEF! Keep doing the great things that you do for AUSD.”
Derrick Lyons (center) displays Educator of the Year Award at Chamber event in April flanked by students Evan Lachs and Sesina Haile.