 | Honoree
The City of Irvine appreciates the service of the following honoree:
| Wall of Recognition | | | Gene Bedley | | | Distinguished Citizen | | | Gene Bedley has impacted the lives of several youth and families in the Irvine Community over the years. He was driven to improve education while serving as a Principal at El Camino Real Elementary in Irvine. He made countless anonymous deliveries of food, toys, and Christmas trees for the families of his students at El Camino Real Elementary School in Irvine which he knew were financially struggling. He has made a broad based National and International impact through his books and speaking engagements on education and parenting. His students have been impacting the world and give Mr. B much of the credit for their success in life. His elementary school students still hold regular reunion events. He was and is truly a role model for so many including his three children. Some would call Mr. Bedly Americas Distinguished Educator. He has been honored with some of our Nations most prestigious educational awards including being selected as the Hearst/PTA National Outstanding Educator of the Year, the Rotarys Paul Harris National Outstanding Educator Award and the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Award for his work in values based education. He has been awarded the Bureau of Educations National Distinguished Teacher Award for his work in character development and school discipline, the Freedom Foundations George Washington Honors Medal for Ethics Education, and has received several other awards and recognitions including an honorary doctoral degree for his work in character education. He has contributed both quietly as well as through the use of platforms. After retiring, he has continued his passion by serving on the advisory board of Rachels Challenge, a nonprofit organization formed out of the tragedy of Columbine High School. He is also an educational advisor for Lift Up America and their Ambassadors of Compassion program whose goal is to give at-risk students hope, vision and a focus to build a better future. He continues to impact at the age of 74. |
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