National Parent-Teachers Assn. Gives Award as Educator of the Year to Irvine Principal

Elementary school principal Gene Bedley, a believer in positive thinking, has been named Educator of the Year by the National Parent-Teachers Assn.

Bedley’s office at El Camino Real Elementary School in Irvine is a place where students are sent when they’re good, not bad, and he encourages good behavior by having the youngsters complete “responsibility reports” each week.

“That’s what works,” Bedley said. “All of the negative messages we give to kids just don’t work. Advice doesn’t usually work because it’s sometimes seen as criticism. Responsibility is one of the most important things you can give a kid.”

National PTA President Elaine Stienkemeyer said Bedley’s “direct personal involvement in the teaching and the development of the students is to be commended.”

“We are proud to honor an educator whose relationship with students, parents and teachers has developed positive attitudes about the public schools,” she said.

Bedley will receive a plaque and a check for $2,500 at the national PTA convention in June in Washington, D.C.

Reacting to the award, Bedley said, “I’ve told my staff that Humpty Dumpty really didn’t fall off the wall, he got pushed. Right now I’m on the ground with my shell everywhere. Once I get my shell back together, I’ll let you know how I really feel. I’m still trying to make sense of all of this--I’m really greatly honored by the award.”

William L. Schreiber has been named district representative for Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach) and will assume his new responsibilities today. Schreiber, former executive assistant to the chancellor of Saddleback Community College District, succeeds Argyle S. Nelson, who resigned in April to become manager of Arthur B. Laffer’s campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1986. At Saddleback, Schreiber coordinated the college’s lobbying efforts that led to an acquisition of nearly $12 million in state funds for capital construction projects within the last two years.

M. Elaine Stephens and Norman Joeb have been appointed to the Westminster Civic Center Authority. Stephens is currently a Realtor and serves as secretary-treasurer for the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Board of Realtors. Joeb, reappointed for a third term, is employed by a local bank and was elected chairman of the authority in 1984. The authority oversees the operations and continuing maintenance of the Westminster Civic Center, where the Municipal Court of West Orange County is located.

Henry J. Paris has been appointed executive director of the Child Guidance Centers Inc., a nonprofit United Way community-supported agency. Paris, a licensed clinical social worker, has been with the agency since 1972, serving as therapist, consultant and program director. He has served as acting director for the past 10 months. The center operates counseling and child abuse prevention and treatment programs in Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana.