Honoring an Educator Who Shapes Character for Life

Honoring an Educator Who Shapes Character for Life

Great educators leave lasting footprints, often in quiet, unseen ways that continue to shape lives long after the lesson ends. At the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS), Ms. Cheryl Haney is one such educator.

This year, Ms. Haney’s impact was formally recognized with the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award, presented by Scouting America’s TAC Horizon District. In a historic first, she is also the inaugural recipient of this award from both the Horizon District and the Transatlantic Council, making the honor especially meaningful.

Established in 2016, the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to positively influence young people by modeling strong ethical, moral, and community-centered values. These principles closely align with both Scouting and teaching, underscoring the vital role educators play not only in academic development, but in building character for life.

Ms. Haney exemplifies these values through her professionalism, compassion, and integrity. She fosters collaboration and trust across the ACS community while supporting students far beyond her daily responsibilities. Her involvement includes coaching tennis, academic games, and debate; advising the yearbook team; and championing inclusion through initiatives such as the Art Book Exchange Program. Through her dedication, she ensures that every student feels seen, supported, and valued.

In addition to her work within the school, Ms. Haney serves as the Charter Organization Representative for Troop 36, with the American Community School of Abu Dhabi proudly serving as the troop’s charter organization. Through this role, she helps strengthen the partnership between education and Scouting, extending ACS’s commitment to leadership, service, and character development beyond the classroom and into the broader community.

Nominated by members of the ACS community and affirmed by her colleagues, Ms. Haney’s recognition serves as an invitation to pause and acknowledge the educators who quietly make an extraordinary difference each day. Their dedication and impact deserve to be recognized and celebrated.

We extend our congratulations to Ms. Haney and our sincere thanks to both Ms. Haney and the American Community School of Abu Dhabi for their continued support of Scouting, ethical leadership, community engagement, and lifelong learning.