2024 inductees for the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame revealed

The Henderson County Education Foundation recently announced the 2024 inductees into the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame. This year's class includes a longtime educator, an athletics coach and a former principal.

The four individuals — Robert Dean Jones, Gary Rivers, Cindy Ellis and Hilda W. Hamilton — have made extraordinary contributions to the growth and advancement of education in Henderson County, according to a news release.

It will be celebrated in a ceremony on April 30th.

Since 2003, the Henderson County Education Foundation has recognized more than 150 individuals, including teachers, administrators, support staff, school board members and donors, by inducting them into the Education Hall of Fame. Henderson County is one of only five educational halls of fame in North Carolina.

The participants are as follows.

robert dean jones

Mr. Jones had a 28-year career in education. After spending his two and a half years in Cherokee County Schools at Murphy High School, Jones enrolled at Rock Junior High School in 1990, where he taught and coached in the Henderson County School System. spent. After spending his four years at Flat Rock, Jones spent his next five years at East Henderson High School as a physical education teacher and his head baseball coach. In 1999, Jones became West Henderson's head football coach, where he remained for five years. Mr. Jones began serving as assistant principal and athletic director at East Henderson School in 2004 and returned to West Henderson School as principal in 2007. He retired in 2015.

gary rivers

Rivers was a longtime educator at Hendersonville High School, where he coached baseball and basketball. He was also a student at Ninth Street School. Rivers was the first African-American baseball signee at the University of Tennessee in 1975, and he has served as director of minority services at Blue Ridge Community College. The Education Foundation said Rivers worked on issues such as reducing dropout rates, promoting diversity awareness and motivating students to excel.

Cindy Ellis

Here's Ellis from the Educational Foundation. Ellis is a dedicated educator who fosters a love of learning in her students through innovative teaching methods and unwavering support for teachers and students. Her ability to listen intentionally served her well as she left her classroom position and became a leader in many elementary school classrooms, making her one of HCPS' first three elementary instructional coaches. I took on a new role as a person, curriculum specialist and lead teacher. Ellis impacted the lives of every student she taught, but more than that, she impacted the lives of many other students through her teaching, leadership, and mentorship of other teachers. I did.

Hilda W. Hamilton

Here's Ellis from the Educational 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 had a lasting impact on countless students and teachers. Hamilton received certification on her first candidacy exam in November 2004, making her one of the first nationally board certified teachers in the nation. She then became a mentor to others pursuing certification. She takes full advantage of what Henderson County Public Schools has to offer. She takes pride in her work, excels in everything she does, and has hope for what the future holds for our school.