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09/18/2019

Awardees Announced

News Release                                         Contact: Kate Strickland 
For Immediate Release                          OCLRE Executive Director 
                                                                 Kstrickland@oclre.org; 614-485-3501 

 

Ohio Center for Law-Related Education Announces Award Recipients  

COLUMBUS (Sept. 18, 2019) – The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) will present its highest honors at the 29th annual Law & Citizenship Conference on Monday, Sept. 23 in Columbus.  

Outstanding Civic Educator Award – Robin Lashley 

New this year, the Outstanding Civic Educator award was created to recognize teachers who have gone above and beyond in their drive for authentic civic education and student achievement. Recipient Robin Lashley, of Berea-Midpark Middle School, has demonstrated passion for teaching and inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.   

Lashley took the initiative three years ago to implement the We the People program, a civics curriculum that immerses students in the study of the U.S. Constitution. As a result of her success and enthusiasm, the program has expanded at Berea-Midpark to all eighth-grade social studies classrooms.  

Lashley has also been a strong ally in the creation of new resource materials for teachers across Ohio, particularly through her work as a lesson plan writer for OCLRE’s new C3 (College, Career & Civic Life) Inquiry initiative.  

Founders’ Award – Mark Dickman 

Named in honor of the OCLRE Founders, recipients of the award devote their time to develop and support programs that engage students in learning about and valuing the rule of law, democracy, and the importance of civic responsibility. Past recipients include educators and members of Ohio’s legal community, including the late Chief Justice Thomas Moyer. 

Mark Dickman teaches AP Government and Politics, College Prep Government, and College Prep Economics at Findlay High School. He has been active as both a teacher and mentor of the We the People program since 2002. Dickman is a long-time member of OCLRE and has presented at many of its annual conferences and teacher professional development sessions.  

In addition to his teaching duties, Dickman serves as mayor of his hometown of Middle Point, Ohio, where he has gained insight into the day-to-day operations of local government. 

Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence – Noel Alden 

Each year, Ohio high school students nominate a mock trial advisor who connects with them and challenges them to achieve individual personal best.  

Noel Alden is legal advisor to Danville High School’s mock trial and moot court teams. Alden was nominated by Danville High School student Calvin Huh. In his nomination of Alden, Calvin stated, “As both a full-time attorney and full-time dairy farmer, Mr. Alden has sacrificed nearly all of his free time coaching us. Mr. Alden has helped us all grow through his blunt honesty. [He] does not sugarcoat things, but he also doesn’t dismiss ideas. He provides direct, constructive criticism…but [lets] us figure out how to fix things. Most importantly, Mr. Alden has tried to instill in us a respect for all people.” 

Alden is with the firm Zelkowitz, Barry & Cullers, Ltd. 

OCLRE is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system.  OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Bar Association and American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation.  OCLRE programs are funded in part by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation. For more information, visit www.oclre.org.   

 

The Eiler Award is named for Lori U. Eiler, retired teacher, Shaw High School, East Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Eiler taught at Shaw High School for 35 years and was advisor to its mock trial teams.  

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