Recipient of the Phi Delta Kappa Unsung Hero Award
By Staff
Ernie McCray Unsung Hero
On April 3, Ernie McCray was honored by the San Diego Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an international association for professional educators. The Kappan awards bestowed earlier in the evening were for individuals and organizations that have made a substantive difference for those wishing to become educators and for children within the school system.
Ernie’s award came later in the evening, after the recognition of Partner in Education, Educator of the Year, and Leadership. Those of us who know Ernie would be hard pressed to sum up his presence and contributions in just one category– he is known by thousands of students, parents and colleagues as an extraordinary educator; he has been a tireless advocate for peace and justice in the streets and in our schools; you can find him from time to time on a stage, acting and reading his poetry; and he has a following on the San Diego Free Press and OBRag where he contributes essays and poetry. Unsung Hero is a pretty good fit and that was his award designation.
Dr. Jeannie Steeg who presented Ernie’s award, spoke about some of his most memorable qualities as a school principal and educator. Ernie took a leave of absence when his twin daughters were born. While this may not be too out of the ordinary now, Ernie made this decision thirty six years ago, becoming a trail blazer in recognizing the need for not only maternity leave, but paternity leave as well.
Ernie retired in 1999, after thirty-seven years as a creative educator who always put children first. Dr. Steeg noted that Ernie emphasized the arts as the realm in which human beings find the essence of who they really are. When Ernie received his award, he pulled a few sheets of paper from his jacket, and true to his inimitable style, read a poem.
It was a very special poem, written in the 1960’s. He recited it at that time to the children of Cabrillo Elementary School, when he introduced himself to them as their new principal. Congratulations Ernie.
My Intro by Ernie McCray
Staff
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Ernie was deserving of the Kappan Unsung Hero award. He is that “hero” to many!
Love the poem. What a wonderful teacher, principal and poet you are, Ernie; just one great guy and congrats on the well-deserved award.
Wow, what an amazing article ! Loved your poem….absoututely wonderful ! Congrats!
Come on Ernie you left out that super funny joke you told! What a pleasure it was to see you receive the award you so deserving deserve. It was overdue. (Now don’t you dare correct my writing here!)
Take care, be safe, Ed.
All though “‘nough’s been said;” Here’s my comment on what’ been said I read.
Ernie’s a great person indeed; and quite a hero-friend to me!
Hip-hip-hip-hooray; Ernie’s “The Man” everyday!!!
GRAMMER CORECTION ON POST ABOVE:
All though ‘”nough’s been said; Here’s my take on what we’ve read;
Ernie’s a great person indeed; and quite a hero-friend to me!
So hip-hip-hip hooray; Ernie’s “The Man” everyday!!!
I knew we had a winner when we elected Ernie to the Tucson High School Hall of Fame….
It just keeps getting better…
Congrats to Ernie…
Signed….
Impressed in Spring Valley… : )
You are the best! You are our man! Love….
Congrats! to a mentor and friend. You are truly deservant of the award. Keep on keeping on…
Willie Horton
Congratulations to a very special man!
Love, Suzi
Yaaay for Ernie!
Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition.
Love the poem – how cool – all kids should be so fortunate to have such an introduction from their new principal!
Congratulation! Very cool poem. (video link)
I bet those children never ever forgot their new principal after having that poem read to them…by their new principal. The poem even reminded me a little of Dr. Seuss.
Congratulations, Ernie! What a fine example of a human being you are. And so deserving of this award.
Carole
As expressed by the many, a well deserved “Congratulations” to you; a beloved friend to countless folks. In appreciation, sent off the greatest ice breaker poem, ever to my two sons who thought of you as “cool” at Longfellow school. So happy to have heard it in person.