Hope Academy of Public Service EAST Facilitator Jackie Brady was named Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year 2022 and Yerger Middle School paraprofessional Rev. Jessie Henry was named Hope/Hempstead County Citizen of the Year, 2022 at the annual Chamber banquet May 2 at Hempstead Hall. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

HOPE – Two Hope Public Schools faculty members were honored with the top annual individual awards presented by the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce before a standing room only crowd at Hempstead Hall here May 2.

Hope Academy of Public Service EAST Program Facilitator Jackie Brady was named Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year and Yerger Middle School paraprofessional Jessie Henry was named Hope/Hempstead County Citizen of the Year for 2022.

“I didn’t see this coming,” a tearful Brady said as she was introduced by 2021 Educator of the Year Travell Green from Clinton Primary School.

Brady was nominated for the award on the basis of the public service of her EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) students, particularly the students’ ongoing service to veterans of Hope and Hempstead County.

“Jackie has been a super teacher that has developed dozens of students in technology and a need to provide help in our community,” Hope Kiwanian Bob Willis said in his nomination. “Three years ago, Jackie contacted me to see if she and her EAST students could be of assistance in the Kiwanis Club of Hope’s annual recognition of veterans, the Salute to American Veterans.”

Willis wrote that Brady directed her students in the production and distribution of the program, as well as promotional materials and advertising signs for the event.

“The HAPS EAST girls contacted and interviewed local veteran heroes,” he wrote. “The interviews were transferred to CDs. A copy of the CD was given to every veteran who attended our luncheon on Veterans Day.”

Brady, who came to the HAPS EAST program from the Texarkana Public Schools, intends to retire at the end of the current school year.