By Denise Dunbar | ddunbar@alextimes.com

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Ed.D. has been awarded a humanitarian award for his efforts to close achievement gaps in education, according to a news release.

Hutchings was honored with the 2019 Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Leadership Award by The National Center for Children and Families at The Art of Community event in Silver Spring, Maryland on Oct. 18.

The NCCF selected Hutchings for “his success as an outstanding leader in education and as an advocate, role model and mentor for minority youth in schools,” according to the release.

The nonprofit also cited his commitment to ensuring that “poor children have the opportunity to succeed and have a right to dream,” according to the release.

Hutchings, who has been ACPS superintendent since July 2018 and is a Class of 1995 graduate of T.C. Williams High School, has championed the drive for equity for each student in ACPS.

This year, for the first time in two decades, every ACPS school is fully accredited.

“It is a great honor to receive this award and see recognition for the work ACPS has undertaken to close achievement gaps,” Hutchings said. “We continue to strive for equity for all our students. It is a long road but our goal is for each child to experience success regardless of their life circumstances.”

The award was sponsored by Tom Cookerly, founder of The Neediest Kids, which is a NCCF program that attempts to ensure children in poverty are not at a disadvantage in the classroom because of a lack of basic needs and school tools.

The program works with ACPS school professionals to provide students in need with clothing, health care and school supplies.