Unsung Hero Award
Our Unsung Heroes
At each Bash Celebration, we honor an outstanding member of our public school community who makes special contributions to youth, in positions that aren't usually recognized for doing so. We give the award to the person or people who have gone over and above their official job description in making a difference in our young people's lives, and who demonstrate the values Grace held dear: leadership, problem-solving, and building community. These are the people who go above and beyond -- quietly, consistently, and without fanfare.
Phillip Brown is an everyday unsung hero. A retired Marine and Charlottesville Police officer, Mr. Brown serves as the building safety and security coordinator at LMA and conducts annual safety inspections across city schools. But his true impact goes far beyond facility security.
Day in and day out, Mr. Brown is a trusted mentor, confidant, and father figure to students and staff alike. Whether reminding a discouraged student of their personal goals to keep them from dropping out, or offering a calm ear when someone needs to reregulate, he is the heart of the LMA community. As the school's unofficial "Spirit Coordinator," he consistently boosts morale with birthday cakes, festive spirit weeks, and daily check-ins after tough days.
One teacher had this to say about Mr. Brown, "He's always there with a positive attitude to support students and staff. He thinks deeply about what we're doing and how we do it. He tries hard to understand where our students are coming from and is always sympathetic to teachers when we are having a hard go of it. He's like the father we all wish we had and deserve."
Driven to make a lasting difference, Mr. Brown actively pursues training in social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care to continuously meet the needs of those around him.
Congratulations to Phillip Brown, our 2020 Grace Tinsley Unsung Hero!
2020 Unsung Hero
Phillip Brown
School Safety Coordinator at Lugo-McGinness Academy (LMA)
Past Award Recipients
Joyce Johnson
Instructional Assistant, Charlottesville Middle School
Ann Sandridge
Head Nurse, Charlottesville High School
Syreeta Davis
School Secretary, Charlottesville Middle School
Angela Johnson
Teaching Assistant, Charlottesville Middle School
Anne Martin
Lead Custodian, Charlottesville Middle School
2019
2018
2017
2016
Roynetta "Netta" Jackson
Nurse, Charlottesville Middle School (formerly known as Buford Middle School)
Richard Walker
Crossing Guard, Charlottesville Middle School
Dominique Williams
Intervention Associate, Charlottesville High School
Camille Allers
Instructional Assistant, Charlottesville Middle School
Ottawa Anderson
Teacher's Aide, Charlottesville High School
Charlotte Nelson
Registrar and Secretary, Charlottesville Middle School
2015
2014
2013