Page 53 - Club Braman Magazine Fall / Winter 2018

BRAMAN AWARDS BMW’S TO
TEACHER AND SCHOOL
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Nominations and Enthusiasm of Teachers and Employees Soar with Elevated Recognition
Winners of 2-year leases from Braman BMW from left to right: Sarah Ray, 2018 Teacher of the Year, Dr. Evangeline Aguirre, 2017 Teacher of the Year, Jane Winters, 2017 Employee of the Year, Antoinette Ingram-Rolle, 2018 Employee of the Year.
Sarah Ray says she never wins anything, not even a game of bingo in the class- room. But on May 3rd, 2018, the teacher at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach felt like she “won the lottery.”
That same night, Angie Ingraham‐Rolle thought she was just going to a reception at Braman BMW. “You know, I thought I was just being recognized.”
Both women found out otherwise.
Ray, 2018 Teacher of the Year in the Palm Beach County School District; and Ingra- ham‐Rolle, the district’s School‐Related Employee of the Year, knew Braman BMW was honoring them with a reception in the showroom, but found out they were getting more than punch and cookies.
Braman awarded each of them a 2018 white BMW 320i for two years. “When
I left that night, I was still numb,” says Ingraham‐Rolle, con dential secretary to the principal at Congress Middle School in Boynton Beach. “It was great. I still can’t believe it.” It’s the second year Braman BMW has recognized the winners of the school district’s top awards with new cars.
“These are the heroes of the area,” says Stephen Grossman, Braman Motorcars
General Manager. “But they also really are heroes to a lot of kids and a lot of families. That’s why we do it. As we grow and the population of Palm Beach Coun- ty grows, it’s important for people and businesses to support it philanthropical- ly,” Grossman says. The extra recognition “gives us a chance to thank a couple of people who’ve made a big di erence, and maybe change their lives by driving a BMW without having to reach into their pocket.”
Braman’s recognition of outstanding employees is a role model for other businesses across Palm Beach County, according to Dr. Donald Fennoy, Palm Beach County school superintendent. “Braman’s willingness to partner with
the School District sets an example for our community that supporting public education is everyone’s responsibility,” Fennoy says. “Since the partnership with Braman began two years ago, the num- ber of nominations for the Teacher of the Year and School‐Related Employee of the Year awards have increased considerably. I think that the opportunity to celebrate the best of our teachers and sta , and
of course the BMWs, have encouraged everyone to see the best in each other and to recognize the great work of our teachers and sta .”
Ingraham‐Rolle shares the sentiment.
“It’s a really good feeling that Braman ap- preciates me and the district appreciates me,” she says. “That’s coming from the heart. They’re not doing it for the money.”
And the way Ray sees it, Braman is set- ting the bar for the rest of the businesses community. “They set a standard for oth- er businesses to follow, because the more community support our schools have for public education, the better and stronger our schools will be. Our kids will know that the business leaders are behind their mission and vision of the school district. That really validates everything we do.”
Ray calls the new cars she and Ingraham‐ Rolle received additional incentive to school employees to achieve and to go after the top awards. “So many teachers are doing everything that I’m doing and more,” she says. “There are so many great teachers in our district, and they all de- serve new cars.”
The partnership, though, is about more than selling cars, Grossman says. “Self- ishly, it helps us recognize that we are part of the community and we can be a partner with the school district,” Gross- man stressed. “Maybe it’ll help us sell a car here or there, but more importantly, it takes people who a lot of times are un- der-recognized and tells them how much they’re appreciated.”
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