Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Inc.: Our Staff

Bart founded Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., (an educational nonprofit organization) in 2003. He currently serves as President, CEO, and Board Chair. He lives in Chapin, South Carolina, and is happily married to Alice Teal, his wife of 42 years. They have two children of whom they are extremely proud. Both are Ivy League graduates - Joann O’Connell, Wharton; and Bart Teal, Jr., Columbia. Three grandchildren bring much joy to their lives. As a member of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, Bart has taught Sunday School, speaks on the life of Martin Luther, and is a former church councilman. He is extremely dedicated to family ideals, philosophies, and principles.

Bart frequently speaks to international audiences about creating schools of excellence for children around the world and promoting world peace. He was recently honored by The Experimental High School attached to Beijing Normal University with the Confucius Award (China’s top award for educators) for his work with schools and students on world peace. Bart has 42 years of combined experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and educational consultant. He has used innovative educational practices in his methodologies since the early 1970's including thematic units, critical thinking skills, integrated curriculum, and the involvement of parents in their children’s education. As coach of a high school basketball team, he led players to win two state championships and five conference championships. His devotion to children and education are evident through his many continued successes. Bart and Alice’s most recent project for children is their world peace initiative that was inaugurated at the Blue Ribbon Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and will receive special emphasis at Disney World in December of 2009.

Through his involvement with the former National Blue Ribbon Schools program, Bart has developed an innovative school improvement plan using the application and scoring guidelines as a blueprint and focusing on the student, with the prime objective being success for all students. This time sensitive school improvement process involves the entire learning community - students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and community members. The Blueprint for Excellence assessment provides schools with a tool for improvement as well as recognition as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. Schools across the nation are becoming national models by using the Blueprint for Excellence and creating an appropriate atmosphere for everyone working together (teamwork including schools, parents, community and business leaders). This is accomplished through the orchestrated sharing of information, visiting each other's model practices, studying and implementing best practices, and attendance and presentation at the annual Blue Ribbon Schools Blueprint for Excellence Conference. According to Craig Martin, Principal of Coolidge Middle School in Reading, Massachusetts, “Bart Teal is a true visionary in the field of education. His passion for helping all schools to better serve their students comes directly from his deep love and commitment to children. His energy and leadership have inspired our school, and the Blue Ribbon conferences have provided us with the path to the school we've become today. Bart Teal and the Blue Ribbon organization have helped us examine all the integral elements of a successful school, and they have also provided us the inspiration and ideas to implement so many initiatives that have made a real difference in the lives of our students and families.” Bart's dedication and resiliency have proven instrumental in leading schools to the honor of Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School, with the numbers awarded increasing each year.

Bart has a growing ambition to recognize successful educational efforts and schools through this national school improvement movement. Bart sees this as a viable option through identifying Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools, establishing model programs, benefiting from current networks and access to information, using the wealth of ideas and practices from exemplary schools, and establishing specialty initiatives to address specific educational needs and expectations. These educational practices have been shared through the annual Blue Ribbon Blueprint for Excellence Conference and will be expanded through the addition of national institutes that will showcase excellence in education for local areas across America. Thus, all students are provided with increased opportunities for success. Kathy Howard, former South Carolina Administrator of the Year, states: “Bart Teal is an invaluable resource to all schools aspiring to become recognized. His insight and expertise are unmatched and his willingness to share is admirable. The recognition he would bring to schools would be unparalleled in a day of growing negativity toward education, a shining light where students would be the real winners.” After all, aren't the children what we are all about?

Contact Information

Bart Teal
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
136 Lakeside Road
Chapin, South Carolina 29036

Jerry Brodsky - Director of University Professional Development Centers and International Schools

Jerry is lead consultant and founder of American Educational Consultants, as well as an attorney licensed to practice in Ohio. Having spent 35 years in the public schools and retiring from the superintendency of a high ranking school district, he currently provides consultative services to, among others: clients from individual parents with student-school issues; school districts looking to improve instruction and communications: state departments of education seeking to upgrade instruction using digital content instead of textbooks: schools outside of the United States seeking to identify strengths and opportunities to improve based on quality international standards; and consultative services to Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. Jerry is married with children and grandchildren and lives in Northeast Ohio.

Jerry Brodsky
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
P.O. Box 221174
Beachwood, Ohio 44122-1174

Monica Atwell - Director of Communications

Prior to joining Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) as Director of Communications, Monica was with the SC Department of Education for 22 years in various positions, including Information Resource Consultant. She has co-authored several publications and writes articles for various print and electronic magazines. Her role with BRSE is a wide range of activities including research and implementation of technology development for schools, coordination and development of the Blue Ribbon website, and grants research and development. Monica also serves on the advisory board for the South Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program and was a reader for the Beaumont Foundation’s Group A cycle of technology grants. She and her husband Steve reside in Leesville and are the proud parents of five children and two grandchildren.

Monica Atwell
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
134 Adams Park Road
Leesville, South Carolina 29070

Steve O'Brien - Director of Assessments

Until his recent retirement, Stephen O'Brien was Director of Recognition Programs in the Office of Communications and Outreach, U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. Recognition Programs included the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, the Presidential Scholars Program, and the President’s Education Awards Program.

Previously, Dr. O’Brien was the Director of the Knowledge Applications Division (KAD) in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) that directed and coordinated activities focused on inquiry, knowledge development, and systematic documentation of nationwide reform assistance and dissemination efforts.

A former teacher and private school superintendent, he has been an educator for forty years and was with the Department for 16 years. He holds a doctorate in educational administration from Virginia Tech at Blacksburg, a master’s in educational administration from Virginia Commonwealth University at Richmond, and a master’s in the teaching of English from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.

Dr. Stephen O'Brien
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
5952 Piney Grove Way
Gainesville, Virginia 20155-6680

Jim has joined the Blue Ribbon Team as an Educational Consultant. His professional background has been rich in experience and many faceted. From Teacher to Superintendent of Schools, he has also assumed positions of: Director of Student Activities, High School Assistant Principal, High School Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and University Instructor. He has been involved in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Movement in Washington DC as a Site Visitor, Reader, Program Writer, Chairman of the Review Team, and member of the Select Panel for over seventeen years. He has received Distinguished Principals Award, Redbooks America’s Best Schools Award and the National Secondary School of Excellence Award. He has held Chairmanships in the Ohio Regional Professional Development Center, Chairman of the Greater Cleveland Educational Development Center, Buckeye Association of School Administrators State Committee, and served on the State American Heart Association Board of Trustees. He has received his Bachelors Degree from Kent State University and his Masters and Doctorate from Cleveland State University and Akron University respectively. His presentations have included: North Central Association of Commission on Schools, National School Boards Association, Superintendents In-service Workshop, Principals Continuing Workshop to name a few.

Jim’s reason for joining the group is founded in his strong belief in helping to provide learning experiences for a wide diversity of individual abilities and interests in a rapidly changing technological and multiracial society. Jim believes that the Best Practices of the Blue Ribbon Schools can effectively utilize the broad experiences, talent, and training of administrative and teaching staffs as well as the school community since this is evident in his career philosophy.

Formerly from Cleveland, Ohio, Jim and his wife Sue of 37 years reside on Little Oak Island, Folly Beach just 17 minutes from downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

Dr. Jim Trusso
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
Post Office Box 1817
Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439

John Tudor - Educational Consultant

Dr. Tudor received his Bachelors Degree in History and his Masters Degree in School Administration from The College of William & Mary in Virginia, and his Education Specialist and Doctor of Education Degrees in Administration from The University of South Carolina.

His thirty-eight year career in public education began in Newport News, Virginia, where he served as a history teacher and Assistant Principal in two high schools. In 1975, he accepted the principal’s position at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, S.C. and two years later went to the State Department of Education as supervisor for Innovative Programs. He then went on to serve as a high school accreditation supervisor and then became Chief Supervisor of the School Improvement Section, where he was instrumental in implementing the school improvement process and the Program for Effective Training in our state. After a brief stint as Vice President and Director of Education for Edu-Comp Computer Resource Centers, he returned to the Department of Education and was Chief Supervisor for the Dropout Prevention and Retrieval Section.In 1992, he was appointed as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction in Sumter 17, where he served three years.

In 1995, he accepted a position of Senior Education Officer for Monitoring, Maintenance, and Planning in the Education Department of the Cayman Islands, a British dependency in the Caribbean. He was elevated to Chief Education Officer six months later and served as the only non-Caymanian in that post until his retirement in 2000. He has also worked as an adjunct professor at a number of universities, including The University of South Carolina, Winthrop University, and The University of the West Indies, and now also serves as a dissertation advisor for Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He joined the staff Of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence in 2002.

He and his wife, Dana, returned to South Carolina to welcome a new granddaughter into their lives and to become grandparents on a full-time basis. That changed in 2002 when Bart asked him to do some work for Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and that part-time consulting has now increased to the point that he is now a full-fledged member of the team. His interests and hobbies include reading, gardening, golf, and scuba diving, and of course, Shelby and Delaney his granddaughters. He and his wife live in Pawleys Island and keep in touch with their four adult children located in Columbia, Atlanta, Raleigh, N.C. and Honolulu, Hawaii.

He is very pleased to be with the Blue Ribbon Team as he believes very strongly in their mission and their methods. He has always believed that much talent is allowed to go to waste in schools that are designated as “underperforming” and feels that Blue Ribbon’s involvement not only will change the lives and outlook of teachers, but more importantly, will change the lives of the students who will lead South Carolina’s journey into the twenty-first century.

Dr. John Tudor
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
29 Summerhill Court
Pawley's Island, South Carolina 29585

Send email to john@blueribbonschools.com

Mary Woods - Educational Consultant

Mary Woods has been an outstanding educator for 35 years. She served as a teacher, media specialist, curriculum consultant, assistant principal, and principal. She is exceptionally energetic and enthusiastic. Her high expectations and knowledge of state and national standards ensure quality education for all children. She is an outstanding presenter on state and national levels. Mary is a Cum Laude graduate of Benedict College where she received her B.A. degree - further studied at Clemson and Furman Universities. She received her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. Mary resides in Greer, South Carolina and is married to Fred Woods. They have three children, and one granddaughter. Mary is experienced in planning, organizing, evaluating, and completing varied tasks. She achieved several honors and awards during her career. Among them are: National Distinguished Principal, Order of the Palmetto, Library named in her honor-Mary Woods’ Media Center, NASA Ambassador, SCASA Principal of the Year, Mary Woods Day-(Declared by the Major of Greenville), Order of Jessamine, National Public Relations Award, Teacher of the Year, Salute to Education recipient for twelve consecutive years, House of Representative Commendations, Senate Commendations, South Carolina Legislation Resolution of Recognition, South Carolina Woman of Achievement Award, South Carolina PTA Principal of the Year (Only Recipient to receive this award twice in South Carolina), William Harley-Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award, Outstanding Young Woman of America Award, and Miliken Finalist.

Mary is affiliated with the following organizations: South Carolina Association of School Administrators, Former President of Elementary Division of SCASA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), American Business Women Association, Association of Curriculum Development International Reading Association, Northeast Family Association, Former Writing Improvement Network Member, Former consultant for the S.C. State Department of Education on Identification of critical needs schools and school improvement, Former National Association of Elementary Principals Presidential Nominating Committee, Former Accreditation Committee on Policies, Procedures, and Licensure Standards For Colleges and Universities and National Leadership Summit Presenter. Presenter for National Association of Elementary Principals and South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

Mary demonstrates excellence in management and leadership skills. She is committed to academic excellence, and continues to motivate teachers and students on a daily basis. Mary exhibits personal qualities that enhance her effectiveness as a school administrator. Under her leadership the school received top honors among them were: Palmetto Finest, National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Red Carpet Award, South Carolina Flagship School of Promise, Nationally Published Stories in the Houghton Mifflin Reading Textbook, South Carolina PTA Parental Involvement Award, Miliken Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Award Winning School Web Site, International Science Teacher of the Year, National Exemplary Reading Award, Service Learning Award, State PTA Program of the Year Award, State Exemplary Writing Hall of Fame Mentor, National Public Relations Golden Achievement Award, Outstanding PTA Program Award, South Carolina International Reading Award, National Science Teaching Award, State PTA Teacher of the Year, South Carolina PTA Principal of the Year, South Carolina Volunteer of the Year, State PTA Gold Leaf Award for fifteen years, Astronomy & Space Science Award, CIBA-GEIGY Award for Excellence in Elementary Science, Northeast Area Wellness Award, Governor’s Beautification Award, International Science Teacher of the Year, NCNB Young Artist Showcase Award, NASA Newest Program, National Presidental Award for Math and Science, North American Invention Convention Winner, South Carolina Outstanding Unit Award. This dedicated administrator shares the belief that all students should be given opportunities to achieve their highest potentials. Her hard work provided a learning environment conducive to student achievement at the highest levels.

Contact Information

Mary Woods
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
206 Windward Way
Greer, South Carolina 29650

Send email to marywoods@blueribbonschools.com

Alice Teal - Vice President
Alice serves as Vice President for this non-profit corporation and the greatest supporter of its mission. She manages multiple administrative operations, assists with school site visits, and is a valuable asset to the organization.

Contact Information

Alice Teal
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.
136 Lakeside Road
Chapin, South Carolina 29036

Send email to aliceateal@aol.com

Bart Teal - President/CEO