Julie Rikard Receives ABCD Award at Foundation Meeting

The 2008 Jolene Litton ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Award was presented to Julie Rikard, technology facilitator at Kings Mountain Middle School, at the May 9 meeting of the Greater Cleveland County Schools' Educational Foundation.

Mrs. Rikard goes above and beyond her assigned responsibilities to ensure success for every student and teacher. 

Whether teaching students, conducting staff development, or creating new, innovative and effective instructional and

technology strategies, she is a responsible, enthusiastic and competent educator.

Mitchell Self, Director of Administrative Technology for Cleveland County Schools, presented a trophy to Mrs. Rikard and a plaque for her school.

"I have had the distinct privilege of working with Mrs. Rikard for the past 4 years, since merger and she truly exemplifies the spirit of the award, " said Self.  " Whether teaching students, conducting staff development, fixing a computer, or creating new, innovative and effective instructional and technical strategies, she is a responsible, enthusiastic, competent educator.  Her principal describes her as a person that is sincere and has a genuine commitment to do the right thing for all who seek to learn.  She has a gentle and delightful sense of humor, and a positive attitude that is contagious."

The ABCD Award is presented each year to a Cleveland County Schools’ educator who effectively models the use of technology and encourages unique and innovative technology projects and practices within his or her school.  The award is sponsored by the Foundation and the Cleveland County Schools’ Technology Services Department.

The ABCD Award was first presented in 2005 to honor Jolene Litton and her service to the students and teachers of Cleveland County Schools.  Mrs. Litton was among the first curriculum/technology coordinators in the district- serving at Boiling Springs Elementary.  She led many districtwide staff development sessions and served as a model to others through the implementation of TLA's- Technology Learning Activities- fostering higher order thinking skills and problem solving. Mrs. Litton set up one of the first media production studios in local schools, and Boiling Springs students were some of the first to receive instruction through satellite programs. Mrs. Litton also served as a North Carolina representative of a NASA committee to create national technology standards.