Whatcom Co. $5,000 Education Award Expands to Private-School Teachers
November 19, 2024
The Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award Program will expand in 2025 to honor Whatcom County teachers from private schools and public schools.
Brown & Brown Insurance Services, which has an office in Lynden, introduced the award this year for public-school teachers in Whatcom County. Six finalists were honored in a special program last May at Jansen Art Center in Lynden. Susan Kelley, a teacher at Kendall Elementary School in the Mount Baker School District, received the Educator of the Year Award and a $5,000 prize.
“At one time or another, we have all likely been inspired by a teacher in a way that transcends the ordinary. If we are very lucky, we might even have had more than one such amazing teacher impact our lives. Our inaugural Excellence in Education Award aimed at Public School teachers successfully drew attention to the amazing teachers who work with our students.” said Alex Bogaard, president of the Seattle and Lynden offices of Brown & Brown Insurance Services. “Private schools also play an important role in Whatcom County, and so we’ve created a separate award, also with a $5,000 prize, to recognize a deserving private school teacher.”
Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on Jan. 1 at https://bbrownexcellenceineducation.org and will close on March 31, 2025.
“We encourage students and parents, both past and present, to nominate teachers who positively impact the development of our young people,” said Paul Kenner, who has been with Brown & Brown’s Lynden office for 50 years.
“Brown & Brown wants Whatcom County educators to know they are supported in building the future of our community.”
While not required for consideration, student and parent nominators are strongly encouraged to provide additional supporting materials for their nomination. Hypothetical examples include:
Brown & Brown’s Lynden office at 501 Front St., Lynden, is open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, please call (360) 354-4488.
About Us
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, delivering risk management solutions to individuals and businesses since 1939. With 16,000+ teammates in approximately 500 locations worldwide, we are committed to providing innovative strategies to help protect what our customers value most. For more information or to find an office near you, please visit bbrown.com.
Brown & Brown Insurance Services, which has an office in Lynden, introduced the award this year for public-school teachers in Whatcom County. Six finalists were honored in a special program last May at Jansen Art Center in Lynden. Susan Kelley, a teacher at Kendall Elementary School in the Mount Baker School District, received the Educator of the Year Award and a $5,000 prize.
“At one time or another, we have all likely been inspired by a teacher in a way that transcends the ordinary. If we are very lucky, we might even have had more than one such amazing teacher impact our lives. Our inaugural Excellence in Education Award aimed at Public School teachers successfully drew attention to the amazing teachers who work with our students.” said Alex Bogaard, president of the Seattle and Lynden offices of Brown & Brown Insurance Services. “Private schools also play an important role in Whatcom County, and so we’ve created a separate award, also with a $5,000 prize, to recognize a deserving private school teacher.”
Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on Jan. 1 at https://bbrownexcellenceineducation.org and will close on March 31, 2025.
“We encourage students and parents, both past and present, to nominate teachers who positively impact the development of our young people,” said Paul Kenner, who has been with Brown & Brown’s Lynden office for 50 years.
“Brown & Brown wants Whatcom County educators to know they are supported in building the future of our community.”
While not required for consideration, student and parent nominators are strongly encouraged to provide additional supporting materials for their nomination. Hypothetical examples include:
- An elementary school classroom may create a beautiful portfolio of paintings depicting a school garden spearheaded by their second-grade teacher.
- A high school student musician may submit a recording of their band playing under the direction of a beloved band director.
- An art student may submit an actual painting/work of art inspired by an art teacher to the Brown & Brown Lynden location along with their nomination form.
- A STEM student nominating their science teacher may submit the results of their mind-blowing lab experiment that won a science fair award.
Brown & Brown’s Lynden office at 501 Front St., Lynden, is open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, please call (360) 354-4488.
About Us
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, delivering risk management solutions to individuals and businesses since 1939. With 16,000+ teammates in approximately 500 locations worldwide, we are committed to providing innovative strategies to help protect what our customers value most. For more information or to find an office near you, please visit bbrown.com.
