Regional Assistant Superintendent Chris Truffer, who has been a driving force in Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ (AACPS) anti-bullying efforts, has been recognized for his work with a 2023 Unity Award from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
The awards are given annually to recognize those who are helping to create kinder, more inclusive, and more accepting environments by empowering others, advocating for those who need support, and taking action that creates a ripple effect in the community. Truffer is one of six people in the nation to earn the award.
“I am very proud to receive this award, but I do not accept it as a singular honor for me alone,” said Truffer, who has worked for AACPS for 35 years. “I represent a team of people across our school district who do such outstanding work each and every day with students and adults to build our collective capacity to help our kids be more resilient, to help them show more perseverance, to help them to recognize bullying and to be upstanders and not bystanders, and to help them send messages to their peers and to their school communities about the dangers of bullying.”
For the past five years, Truffer has chaired a school system committee which focuses on bullying, specifically at the middle school level. The committee examines data, national trends, and articles related to bullying.
His work has resulted in system-wide Unity Day celebrations, school Kindness Cup Competitions, and Upstander Campaigns. Through his leadership, AACPS is able to communicate important information regarding bullying prevention with principals and other school-based staff, ensuring systemic practices are being used with fidelity at all middle schools.
To learn more about PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and this year’s honorees, click here.