From left: Kenneth C. Fischer, UMS President; Joan Singer and Gary Court, accepting the DTE School of the Year award on behalf of Angell Elementary School; Renée Fleming, recipient of the 2011 UMS Distinguished Artists Award; and Joey Parins, DTE Educator of the Year with Fred Shell, President of the DTE Energy Foundation.

photo courtesy of the University Musical Society

As part of its 16th Annual Ford Honors Gala benefitting UMS Education Programs on Sunday, the University Musical Society awarded Ann Arbor’s Angell Elementary School and Clemente High School teacher Joey Parins with the DTE Energy Foundation School of the Year and Educator of the Year awards.

As part of the same event, soprano Renee Fleming sang a recital and received UMS' Distinguished Artist Award.

According to the UMS announcement, Angell Elementary was honored for its "dedication and commitment to arts education. Through a myriad of activities and relationships, including nearly two decades of participation with UMS’s K12 Education Program, Angell Elementary educators consistently seek out new opportunities to discover and explore arts and culture with students, creating a truly holistic learning experience. The Angell Elementary community has participated in UMS Youth programs as recently as the Carolina Chocolate Drops December 2010 Youth Performance, and as long ago as UMS’ first “Opera for 4th Graders” programs in the early 1990s. Angell Elementary has made an impressive commitment to engaging its students and educators in the arts, both in the classroom and beyond." Parins was honored as the DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year for her "passionate commitment to arts education at both Clague Middle School and currently at Clemente High School. Parins has been a model educator, demonstrating a commitment to UMS K‐12 programs and making arts education a priority for all students. Parins is known for her long history of participation in UMS professional development workshops for educators and her deep involvement connecting her students to the arts community at large. Recently, Ms. Parins worked with the UMS Education team to arrange pre‐performance drumming events featuring her students prior to UMS youth performances. Joey Parins is an exemplary teacher and a true leader in the community, sharing her enthusiasm and passion for the performing arts to change the lives of students."

“It’s important to recognize the tremendous difference educators like Joey Parins and schools like Angell Elementary can make in young people’s lives,” Fred Shell, DTE Energy vice president of corporate and government affairs and president of the DTE Energy Foundation, said in a prepared statement. “Helping students develop an appreciation for the performing arts is something that can enrich their lives forever. We are very pleased to again sponsor the DTE Foundation Energy School and Educator of the Year Awards to acknowledge the important contribution teachers, schools, and organizations like UMS make in the quality of life in our community.” UMS President Ken Fischer noted, “UMS is delighted to share our appreciation for Angell Elementary as a cherished partner in bringing arts education to youngsters in Ann Arbor. We are also happy to honor Ms. Joey Parins for her hard work and dedication; her longstanding history of participation in UMS educator workshops is just one of the ways Ms. Parins enhances the lives of her students through the performing arts. We are also very grateful for the DTE Energy Foundation’s renewed commitment to UMS and its recognition of the value and excellence of UMS’s artistic and educational endeavors.”