Nebraska Teacher Ferial Pearson Named GLSEN 2010 Educator of the Year

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) revealed today their selection for 2010 GLSEN Educator of the Year award. Nebraska teacher Ferial Pearson has been awarded the prestigious title. There were roughly 100 nominations received.

“GLSEN and Sodexo are honored to recognize Ferial Pearson, a school leader who has dedicated her teaching career to creating environments where all students are valued and respected, as the 2010 GLSEN Educator of the Year,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “A caring educator who has helped grow the Omaha South High School GSA from one student to one of the Country’s largest with 150 students, Ferial embodies all the characteristics we look for in a visionary leader who has made her school and community safer for all students from her first moments in a classroom.”

Pearson is a native of Kenya who moved to the U.S. at the age of 19. She is a graduate of the Gustavus Adolphus College and has a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nebraska – Omaha.

A former student nominated Pearson for the honor because of her teacher’s dedication to each and every student regardless of race, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, or any other “difference” one may find when comparing two students. The student said regarding Pearson’s nomination, “She really does make a difference in people’s lives. She’s made a difference in mine.”

Pearson shares the reason for her fight towards equality in the classroom. “I do it because growing up in Kenya I saw so many people not standing up for others. I saw a lot of atrocities because people were not understood and people would just stand by and let it happen. I have children now and when they need someone to stand up for them I would hope that somebody else would. I feel it's my duty as a human being to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. If a kid asks me for help I can't turn them down; it would be irresponsible.”

The following nominees were close in the race as well:

Runner-Up: David Hall from North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA 

Nominee: Erica Eaton, East High School, Rochester, NY

Nominee: Robert Loupo, Cutler Ridge Middle School, Miami, FL

Nominee: Richard Matkins, Southridge High School, Beaverton, OR

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