ADL Southwest recognized three Houston-area educators with the 2024 Walter Kase Educator Excellence Award at its May 22 board meeting.

Recipients included Tanglewood Middle School Theater Director Nikki Andrews, Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School Counselor Donna Bolden, and Rhodes School for the Performing Arts Counselor LaTonya White.  They were selected based on their years of service as a No Place for Hate® Coordinator and the leadership they exemplify on their campuses.  They also have honored the memory of Walter Kase by promoting inclusive, safe, loving, and respectful classrooms and campuses for their students.  Walter was a beloved Holocaust survivor who spent many years speaking to students about the horrors he experienced in the Holocaust, the dangers of hate, and the value of love.

“We are thrilled to be able to honor this year’s recipients, who are so deserving of an award in Walter’s name, said ADL Education Director Dr. Chantel L. Henderson. “Each one of them has worked hard to uphold and continue Walter’s mission of fighting hate.”

As the No Place for Hate® sponsor at Tanglewood Middle School, Nikki Andrews has overseen several projects, including a “Community Window,” where students share thoughts with each other in order to bring the community closer together.  She writes “School is a place where we grow future generations.  We are helping to develop the good we want for the future.”

Counselor Donna Bolden has initiated myriad No Place for Hate® projects at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School designed to make students of all backgrounds, abilities, economic situations, and ages feel included, talented, and safe. Meyerland Middle School Wraparound Specialist Brittney Perez-Williams said: “Ms. Bolden always respects everyone on campus and radiates a positive attitude toward all on campus.  She works hard to develop an inclusive school community.”

Rhodes School for the Performing Arts Counselor LaTonya White says “I’m passionate about empowering scholars to take a stand against against bullying, not only for themselves, but also for others who may be experiencing it,” and her work supports that passion.  She provides scholars with lessons “promoting the importance of loving and accepting others just as they are,” and helps “scholars understand the uniqueness in everyone is what makes us all special.”

You can learn more about these three exceptional educators by watching this video.