Inductees announced for 2024 Henderson County Education Hall of Fame
The Henderson County Education Foundation recently announced its 2024 inductees for the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame, and this year's class includes longtime educators, athletics coaches and a former principal.
According to a news release, the four individuals (Robert Dean Jones, Gary Rivers, Cindy Ellis and Hilda W. Hamilton) have made exceptional contributions to the growth and development of education in Henderson County.
They will be celebrated at a ceremony on April 30.
Since 2003, the Henderson County Education Foundation has recognized over 150 individuals, including teachers, administrators, support staff, school board members and donors by inducting them into the Education Hall of Fame. Henderson County's is one of just five education halls of fame in North Carolina.
Below are the inductees:
Robert Dean Jones
Jones had a 28-year career in education. After spending two and a half years with Cherokee County Schools at Murphy High School, Jones joined Flat Rock Junior High in 1990 and spent the rest of his career teaching and coaching in the Henderson County school system. Following four years at Flat Rock, Jones spent the next five years as the physical education teacher and head baseball coach at East Henderson High School. In 1999, Jones became the head football coach at West Henderson, where he remained for five years. In 2004, Jones began serving as assistant principal and athletic director for East Henderson before returning to West Henderson as principal in 2007. He retired in 2015.
Gary Rivers
Rivers was a longtime educator at Hendersonville High School, serving as the baseball coach and also the basketball coach. He was also a Ninth Avenue School attendee. Rivers was the first African American baseball signee at the University of Tennessee in 1975 and has served as Director of Minority Services at Blue Ridge Community College. According to the Education Foundation, Rivers tackled issues like reducing drop-out rates, promoting diversity awareness and motivating students to excel.
Cindy Ellis
This is the description of Ellis from the Education Foundation: A dedicated educator, Ellis has fostered a love of learning in students through her innovative teaching methods and unwavering support for teachers and students. Her ability to listen intentionally served her well as she moved out of her classroom position and on to becoming a mentor in many elementary classrooms, assuming new roles as one of the three original elementary instructional coaches in HCPS, curriculum specialist and lead teacher. Ellis touched the lives of all the students she taught but more than that she impacted the lives of so many other students through her mentoring, leadership and instruction of other teachers.
Hilda W. Hamilton
This is the description of Hamilton from the Education Foundation: Hamilton is a passionate advocate for children and fellow educators as a teacher, tutor, instructional coach and mentor. She has dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for underserved communities. Her leadership and tireless efforts have made a lasting impact on countless students and teachers. Hamilton was one of the first National Board Certified Teachers in the entire nation, certifying in November of 2004 in the first trial of candidacy. She then became a mentor to others who were seeking certification. She exhibits the best of what Henderson County Public Schools offer: pride in what she does, excellence in all she does and hope for what our schools can become.
More: A familiar face will return to the Nov. 5 ballot for Henderson County school board
Want to go?
The Night of the Stars Education Hall of Fame Celebration will be held April 30 at Jeter Mountain Farm. Tickets may be purchased by calling 828-697-5551 or by visiting HCEF’s website athttps://hcefnc.org/events/education-celebration/.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Henderson County Education Hall of Fame 2024 inductees revealed
