The Drs. Singh and Bhuller
Tri-Cities Outstanding Educator of the Year Award


SinghBhuller

Through the generosity of Neena G. Singh, M.D. and Gurpal S. Bhuller, M.D, the "Singh-Bhuller Tri-Cities Outstanding Educator of the Year Award" was established in December 2002. The purpose of the award is to annually recognize one outstanding educator from within the Tri-Cities area public schools and to motivate that educator to maintain standards of excellence. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to be given to one teacher to enhance his or her teaching skills. The award is administered by John Randolph Foundation.

The award is available to any educator possessing a current Virginia teaching license, teaching in Hopewell, Prince George County, Colonial Heights or Petersburg public schools and nominated by a fellow teacher. Teachers holding provisional licenses are not eligible to participate in the program.

Return to Top All nominations and awards are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. Neither teachers retiring from the profession at the end of the school year nor John Randolph Foundation Trustees, employees and their immediate families (parents, spouses, siblings) are eligible for the award.

Dr. Neena G. Singh is a psychiatrist with her practice in Hopewell. She was born in India where she received her basic schooling and earned her medical degree. She completed her psychiatric training in New Zealand and Omaha, and at the Medical College of Virginia. She is the medical director of the psychiatric unit at John Randolph Medical Center and is also involved in the teaching of medical students and residents at the Medical College of Virginia.

Dr. Gurpal Singh Bhuller was born in Malaysia and received his medical training at the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana, India. He began his training in orthopedic surgery in New Zealand and completed it at UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska. Following graduation, Dr. Bhuller began his practice of orthopedic surgery in the Tri-Cities area in 1982. The practice has now become a group practice providing orthopedic surgical services at hospitals in Hopewell, Petersburg, Chesterfield and Richmond.

Drs. Singh and Bhuller were married in 1973 and have two daughters, Harsharen and Simran.

Nomination Guidelines Return to Top

BACKGROUND and PURPOSE

Neena G. Singh, M.D. and Gurpal S. Bhuller, M.D. established the Singh-Bhuller Tri-Cities Outstanding Educator of the Year Award (the award) in December 2002. The purpose of the award is to annually recognize outstanding educators teaching in Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Prince George County public schools and to motivate them to maintain standards of excellence. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to be given to one teacher from these school districts to enhance his or her teaching skills. The award is administered by the John Randolph Foundation.

POLICY

The $3,000 Award is available to any educator possessing a current Virginia teaching license, teaching in Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights or Prince George County public schools. Teachers holding provisional licenses are not eligible to participate in the program. All nominations and awards are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. Teachers retiring from the profession at the end of the school year and John Randolph Foundation Trustees, employees and their immediate families (parents, spouses, siblings) are not eligible for the award.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE Return to Top

Fellow educators may recommend the names of teachers deserving to receive the Singh-Bhuller Tri-Cities Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. The nomination form may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the following link: Nomination Form.

Nominees should be dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled educators certified to teach any or all levels (pre-kindergarten through grade 12), who are planning to continue in an active teaching status. The nominee must express a desire to pursue continued education in his/her respective field of study, be a well-rounded individual involved in extra-curricular activities at the school, demonstrate scholastic achievement in college courses or in-service training and demonstrate active participation in the community.

Nomination forms are due in the John Randolph Foundation Office by 4:00 p.m. on February 15. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, then it is due the next business day by 4:00 p.m.

Nominees will be asked to complete a formal application and submit it to the John Randolph Foundation office by 4:00 p.m. on or before April 15.

Nominations and/or applications may be sent by mail, email or fax to:

Application Guidelines Return to Top

BACKGROUND and PURPOSE

Neena G. Singh, M.D. and Gurpal S. Bhuller, M.D. established the Singh-Bhuller Outstanding Educator of the Year Award (the award) in December 2002. The purpose of the award is to annually recognize an outstanding educator teaching in Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Prince George County public schools and to motivate them to maintain standards of excellence. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to be given to one teacher from each of these school districts to enhance his or her teaching skills. The award is administered by John Randolph Foundation.

POLICY

The award is available to any educator possessing a current Virginia teaching license, teaching in Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights or Prince George County public schools and nominated a fellow educator. Teachers holding provisional licenses are not eligible to participate in the program. All nominations and awards are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. Neither teachers retiring from the profession at the end of the school year nor John Randolph Foundation Trustees, employees and their immediate families (parents, spouses, and siblings) are eligible for the Award.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE Return to Top

Each candidate submitting a formal application must provide the following information: 

  1. Basic Data Sheet. The basic data sheet may be downloaded and printed. You and your school principal are required to sign this form.
  2. Professional Development. In outline form, list
    • colleges and universities attended, including post-graduate studies, and indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance
    • teaching employment history, and indicate dates of employment, grade level and subject area
    • professional association memberships, including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities
    • activities in staff development and the training of future teachers
    • awards and other recognition of your outstanding teaching. Your response should not exceed two (2) typed pages. Single space for this section is permissible.
  3. Extra-Curricular Activities and Community Involvement. Describe your extra-curricular activities at school and outside of school, as well as your commitment to your community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic and other group activities. Your response should not exceed one (1) typed double-spaced page.
  4. Professional Biography. In this narrative describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching; what factors influenced you to become a teacher, whether you have a desire to pursue continued education in your field of study and what you consider to be your greatest contributions and accomplishments in education. Your response should not exceed two (2) typed double-spaced pages.
  5. Use of $3,000 Grant. Explain how you would use the $3,000 grant to enhance your teaching skills. Please include a budget to show anticipated expenses. Your response should not exceed one (1) typed double-spaced page.
  6. Letters of Support. Include three letters of support, one of which must come from a teacher's principal. The other two letters may come from among the following: superintendent, colleague, student, student’s parent or civic leader. An effective letter of support would contain evidence of personal knowledge of the teacher and an indication of the qualities that would qualify the teacher to receive the award. These three original letters should be addressed to:
      John Randolph Foundation
      Attn: Tri-Cities Educator of the Year Program
      P.O. Box 1606
      Hopewell, VA 23860

Please send the original and seven copies of the application and attachments to John Randolph Foundation Office by 4:00 p.m. on or before April 15 and recipient will receive their award at the Spring Award Ceremony in May. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, then it is due the next business day by 4:00 p.m. Please direct any questions to Bonnie Falls at bfalls@johnrandolphfoundation.org or call the office at 458-2239. Return to Top

John Randolph Foundation reserves the right to interview candidates in the final stages of selection.

The decision of the selection committee in all matters regarding the Drs. Singh and Bhuller outstanding educator of the year award is final. Canvassing any John Randolph Foundation trustee or employee shall result in immediate disqualification.

John Randolph Foundation respects the privacy of our applicants. Any personal or financial information will be used for the purpose of assessing the application and will be made available solely to the foundation's trustees and staff. We make every effort to maintain your confidentiality.

John Randolph Foundation is an equal opportunity organization.

Award Forms