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

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 $4,000 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.

All 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 was 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 was the Medical Director of the psychiatric unit at John Randolph Medical Center and was also part of the clinical teaching faculty at the Medical College of Virginia. She moved to Northern Virginia in 2015 where she continued to practice psychiatry till her retirement in 2021.

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 evolved into Colonial Orthopedics, providing a full range orthopedic services in Hopewell, Petersburg, Chesterfield and Richmond. Colonial Orthopedics merged with VCU in 2019. Dr. Bhuller retired from active practice in 2015 and now lives in Northern Virginia.

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

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 $4,000 grant to be given to one teacher 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

Each candidate must submit to their school district information requested below: 

1. Professional Development. In outline form, list
   1. Colleges and universities attended, including post-graduate studies, and indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance;
   2. Teaching employment history, and indicate dates of employment, grade level and subject area;
   3. Professional association memberships, including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities;
   4. Activities in staff development and the training of future teachers; and
   5. Awards and other recognition of your outstanding teaching.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Use of $4,000 Grant. Explain how you would use the $4,000 grant to enhance your teaching skills. Please include a budget to show anticipated expenses.
5. 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.

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.