Sen. Mike Padden with Ned Fadeley, 2012 Civic Educator of the Year for the 4th Legislative District in the Spokane Valley, in the Senate Chamber.

On Monday Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, honored West Valley School District teacher Ned Fadeley, a top finalist for the Washington State Legislative Civic Educator of the Year Award.  Padden presented Fadeley with a certificate recognizing his hard work and achievement, while many of Fadeley’s students who were able to make the trip to Olympia looked on.

“Ned Fadeley is a truly remarkable educator,” said Padden. “He continually demonstrates a level of commitment to his students and dedication to service and excellence that has been fully reflected in everything he does, leading to one of the state’s most innovative high school civic curriculums, which has put his school on the cutting edge of education reform.”

Fadeley is the lead teacher at RiverCity Leadership Academy, Washington’s first project-based high school.  In his capacity as the humanities advisor for all of RiverCity’s 35 students, he is responsible for designing and implementing interdisciplinary lesson plans that cover a wide range of social studies curricula, including civic education.

Prior to attending the school of education at Gonzaga University, Fadeley received his undergraduate degree from Seattle University and also served as a legislative intern for the minority leader of the Washington State Senate.  Despite opportunities for a political career of his own, Fadeley dedicated himself to educating the next generation – bringing together his love of civics and working with young people.

“He exemplifies what an excellent educator should be, and I am glad to be able to recognize his achievements in this way,” said Padden.

Fadeley was honored as part of the Legislature’s sixth annual Civic Education Day.

The purpose of Civic Education Day is to recognize the importance of civic education and all those involved, including civic educators from across the state. The annual luncheon features a prominent civic education speaker, and an award ceremony to honor the Washington State Legislature’s Civic Educator of the Year.

“I am ecstatic that one of the top civic educators in our state comes from the 4th District. This award honors educators’ dedication to teaching students the importance of public service and civic involvement,” said Padden. “These outstanding teachers go above and beyond to breathe new life into the subject of civics, making it relevant to students and showing them how they can make a difference by being active participants in their community and government. They are helping to mold and inspire the next generation of leaders and, as a senator, I am very proud that this body makes a point of recognizing and honoring these tremendous men and women.”

Award recipients were chosen by the Civics Consortium, a 19-member panel that consists of House and Senate staff members and representatives from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington State Bar Association, TVW, and several other groups.

Padden also presented Fadeley with a copy of a resolution honoring civic education, which passed the Senate unanimously Feb. 20.