Camino Real Elementary counselor Cynthia Anderson addresses the Austin No Place for Hate Conference recently, where her local anti-prejudice efforts were recognized with the Anti-Defamation League’s Excellence in Education Award. (Photo by Jim Cullen)

by JIM CULLEN

Camino Real Elementary counselor Cynthia Anderson, a 21-year veteran of public schools experience, was recently awarded the Excellence in Education Award by the Austin Council of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for her work teaching tolerance on campus. Recognized at the council’s No Place for Hate Conference, Anderson’s acceptance of the award came at the Joe B. Thompson Conference Center on the campus of the University of Texas.

According to the council, the award is designed “to recognize an outstanding educator who has implemented programs that create respectful learning environments where diversity is embraced and prejudice is rejected.”

Anderson has been personally committed to and identified with the No Place for Hate campaign on the Camino Real Elementary campus, the first Hays CISD campus to receive the ADL’s official recognition banner. Awarded the banner last fall, Camino Real has now been joined by Tom Green Elementary, Negley Elementary, Hays High School and Wallace, Barton and Chapa middle schools in completing requirements for a signed Resolution of Respect, and for staging at least three anti-bias activities.

Marivel Sedillo, Camino Real Elementary principal, supported her counselor’s candidacy for the award by saying her students “absolutely love and respect her” and she “finds creative ways to make students feel valued and respected.” She added, “What I love about Cynthia is that she does not tolerate bigotry and has focused her teaching on a guidance curriculum that does not accept bias of any type.”

Karen Gross, who serves as the Austin Community Director of the Anti-Defamation League, said, “The Excellence in Education Award pays tribute to Cynthia’s outstanding efforts to create an atmosphere in our schools that rejects prejudice and regards diversity as a strength.” Gross notes Anderson’s belief that “with education, awareness and most importantly action, Camino Real Elementary School can continue to be No Place for Hate, where all students feel valued and important.”

Gross said, “In understanding the great potential and capacity of her students, Mrs. Anderson has empowered them both to respect differences and stand up for each other by being agents of social change on their campus.”

The ADL also recognized Hays CISD for having the most growth in the No Place for Hate program across Central Texas. Charlotte Winkelmann, the district’s director of college and career readiness and guidance, said all HCISD schools are recognized by the Texas Education Agency as “Character Plus” schools. She notes pride in local campus work in rejecting prejudice, predicts more No Place for Hate campuses next year and says the district “prides itself on the positive and respectful learning environments we create for our students and our staff.”