Hamilton County Education Foundation’s goal for Celebrate Excellence transcends its purpose as the main fundraising event for the scholarship fund. It is an opportunity to publicly honor the dedicated individuals who serve as a parent, pastor, friend, adviser, protector, confidant, and teacher to the children in Hamilton County’s public schools on a daily basis. Each district in the county is invited to submit their own top educator, which includes not only classroom teachers, but all certified personnel.

Past honorees have included special education teachers, music directors, principals, intervention specialists, guidance counselors, and classroom teachers.

The event is unique in that it brings K-12 education, university, business, and civic leaders together to pay tribute to this impressive group. Since the inaugural event in 2007, former Cincinnati Bengal and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Anthony Munoz has served as Master of Ceremonies, except in 2016, when award-winning news anchor, Clyde Gray filled in for him. 

Keynote Speakers:

2007 – Sharon Draper, Award-winning author and 1997 National Teacher of the Year
2008 – Nancy Zimpher, President, University of Cincinnati
2009 – Marilyn Troyer, Senior Associate Superintendent for Educational Programs, Ohio Department of Education
2010 – Jim Mahoney, Executive Director, Battelle for Kids
2011 – Anthony Munoz, President, The Anthony Munoz Foundation
2012 – Krista Ramsey, Columnist & Editorial Board, Cincinnati Enquirer
2013 – Dr. Mark Meyers, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Health & Education, Xavier University
2014 – Clyde Gray, WCPO’s “9 On Your Side” award-winning news anchor/reporter
2015 – O’dell Owens, President, Cincinnati State
2016 – Kathy Nimmer, Indiana Teacher of the Year 2016
2017 – Dr. Thomas Tucker, Superintendent, Princeton City Schools, AAASA 2016 National Superintendent of the Year
2018 – Jim Mahoney, Ph.D., Executive Director Emeritus, Batelle for Kids, Executive in Residence, Ohio University
2019 – Tanya O’Rourke, News Anchor, WCPO_TV

Celebrate Excellence is a sit-down breakfast event held in the ballroom at the Sharonville Convention Center on a Friday morning in May. Each educator is accompanied by their superintendent and a guest. Many are also joined by members of their board, fellow staff, students, and even their former teachers! They are individually introduced to the audience and presented with a plaque by the emcee.

The leadership of the HCEF believes that through the provision of more scholarships to K – 12 educators to complete their Master’s, as well as recognizing the achievements of local educators through Celebrate Excellence, more outstanding educators will choose to serve the children and communities of Southwest Ohio.