Yale University honors Stephanie Bostick with Yale Educator Award

MADISON – Dr. Stephanie Bostick, who works as a counselor at Bob Jones High School, has been honored with the 2020 Yale Educator Award.

This year’s 317 nominees represent 41 states and 19 countries. Yale University presented the award to 57 teachers and 24 counselors. The award recognizes exemplary teachers from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to reach academic success.

The Yale Admissions Office credits the excellence of Yale’s student body to teachers and counselors like the recipients of the Yale Educator Award. Years before students attend Yale, their educators are continuously motivating and mentoring them.

Yale allows students to nominate a former teacher or counselor for the Yale Educator Award. Nayeli Gonzalez-Vazquez, a 2020 Bob Jones graduate and current Yale student, recommended Bostick for the honor, and a committee at Yale approved Vazquez’s nomination.

“I was not aware of this award, so I was very surprised and grateful that a former student thought of me and nominated me,” Bostick said. “I am very thankful and humbled to be selected among such amazing educators.”

“I was a little taken back at the attention, because I am more of a behind-the-scenes person. I love to show my students off, and I am their biggest cheerleader, so an accomplishment about me is quite different,” Bostick said.

“It’s a blessing to work with such great students, teachers, counselors and administration. Bob Jones is a special place,” Bostick said. “I tell students every day how lucky I am to serve as their college and career counselor.”

Bostick attended Cottonwood High School. At the University of Alabama, she earned a bachelor’s degree in special education and then two master’s degrees – one in school counseling and another in instructional leadership.

“I then went on to receive my doctorate’s degree in educational leadership, policy and law. My goal was to complete my doctorate before I turned 30, and I completed it two days before my 30th birthday,” Bostick said. She has worked in education for 17 years.

Her husband Brian also graduated from the University of Alabama and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He is Director of Research and Design with Miltope. Their son William Edward Bostick is a kindergartner at Columbia Elementary School.