TACOMA, WA, July 19, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Connie Rickman with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Connie Rickman celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With decades of experience in education and administration, Ms. Rickman has made a difference in her industry through passion, hard work and dedication. With a Bachelor of Science in education from Texas Woman's University, USAFI Military Advanced New Math & Science for Teachers' Trainers, Munich, Germany; Dist. PTA World Conference Rep, Garmisch, and Outstanding (Monetary) Teacher Award that followed her to her new school in Ohio, giving her the opportunity to use it with her new students. She earned her Master of Education at Central State University and helped the University start a Teachers' Training Program to teach special needs students. Ms. Rickman began her career as a teacher in the Gregory Public School District in Texas. She then went on to teach in New York, Ohio, Washington and Germany. She developed a passion for education while attending Catholic school. When her classmates didn't have the answer to a question, she would help them and answer for them because she always enjoyed learning new things. At Seattle "U", she earned her Administrative Credentials in Education, starting some truly innovative programs for students turned off school and most authority figures, placing them out in the community for elective school credit in areas of interest to them, combining that program with her duties as her District's first Student Suspensions Hearing Officer.
With the help and guidance of a California University professor, she and her first high school's staff replaced the old "Home Room" period with an Advisor/Advisee Program in which groups of 15 students became part of an Advisory led by a trained staff, certificated or not, who operated more like a sport coach or club adviser, meeting daily for 15 minutes, to discuss the "topic of the day" that could/would enhance the learning at the school, including helping ALL students feel like they "belonged." Through this program, Ms. Rickman and her colleagues were able to teach the students how to deal with daily pressures, which allowed the students to see that they were in charge of their future and that they could make a real difference. When she wasn't in the classroom, Ms. Rickman remained an active advocate for young people and for education. She was an active member of numerous community and education committees, task forces, boards and organizations throughout Tacoma, WA State, and the nation.
In 2007, at their invitation, Ms. Rickman flew with the Blue Angels because of her work in education, and in 2009, she represented the Northwest in a delegation of 16+ school principals from across the country, (although she'd been a principal, she was her District's School Board President at the time), to South Korea, to share and compare education ideas and practices of the two countries- it was the first and only time she celebrated her July birthday, back to back-first when her family called her the day of her WA State birthday & the next day with a Korean party, Korean time!
The year that Katrina hit Louisiana, Ms. Rickman was on the National Retired Teachers Associations' Community Service Committee, a perfect time for her to suggest her organization's invitation to their "locals" to join the National to help the schools in Louisiana, with the promise the National and AARP would match each unit's donation up to a million dollars. It worked beautifully, and Louisiana State's Schools' Retirees were able to work with their local school districts to develop and implement education programs to meet the needs of students in their different settings, then transition to their permanent school settings as they were instituted! With the financial and publishing expertise of NRTA/AARP, and the cooperation of her state and local units, Ms. Rickman was able to publish and share nationwide, a booklet of local stories and ideas of community service, entitled "Celebrating Success in Our Communities With Our Youth", Copyright 2004 by Washington State School Retirees Association.
Most recently, in May 2017, Ms. Rickman led her group of volunteers to the unveiling of a monument on Lincoln High School's campus, of "Pappy" Boyington, Lincoln 1930 graduate, better known for his heroics in "Baa Baa Black Sheep" of TV fame. And this past May 0f 2018, she helped publicize Stadium High School's Ninety-Sixth, yes, 96th consecutive year honoring of 11 Stadium students who died in WWI. Oh yes, Mr. Rickman served both schools as VP, and she says you're all invited to attend Stadium's 100th in three years AND visit their LHS "Pappy" Monument!.
Today, Ms. Rickman serves as the founding president of the Blue Light Coalition in Pierce County, WA, as well as the chair, delegate and liaison of the National Retired Teachers Association. She also maintains affiliation with the National Women's History Museum in Alexandria, VA, the Fort Lewis Education Association and Safe Streets. Ms. Rickman's commitment to education and to her community has been recognized by many organizations throughout her career. Most recently, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award from the Washington State PTA. In addition and most notably, she received a Letters of Commendation Award from the U.S. House of Representatives and a Department Plaque of Distinction Award from the County Sheriff.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Connie Rickman has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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