This was the first year of the Bammy awards, an effort to acknowledge educators who have achieved distinction in many different sectors of education. The Bammies are supposed to be the new equivalent of the Oscars for educators, presented by the Academy of Educational Arts and Sciences.
Emmy award-winning producer, broadcaster and journalist Errol St. Clair Smith organized this event, with red carpet, black tie and a sense of grandeur.
I was one of three who received awards for lifetime achievement. The others were Linda Darling-Hammond and John Merrow.
Many other Bammy awards were given to outstanding educators, and if you check the website you will see them (Linda received two!).
Randi Weingarten presented the award to me, and I must say she was at her best. I thought you might want to see this.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Congratulations on this well-earned honor.
Congratulations! You deserve it, as do John and Linda.
Congratulations to all three of you! It is well deserved.
Congratulations and for the record I have read “The Language Police more than once. The first time I read it, I used to take it with me in the car when my husband and I did toy shows. He drove and I read outloud. When I got to a particular passage that was wonderful I would call my best friend on my cell phone and read her the passage. It is a must read for everyone
Thanks. Language Police is a favorite book of mine. With many of the stories, you can’t be sure whether to laugh or cry.
Congrats Diane! I’m really looking forward to hearing you speak in St. Paul in Oct.
Congratulations, Diane!