The NEA Foundation and the Louisiana Association of Educators honored Joel Hilbun as Louisiana's recipient of The I CAN Learn NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. This award recognizes individuals who exhibit outstanding teaching, creativity, community engagement, advocacy, attention to diversity and professional development. He is to be honored Feb. 9 at the NEA Foundation's 12th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. Hilbun received a $1,000 check from the NEA Foundation, which he donated to be used in awarding student academic excellence. Hilbun also received awards of the 2006 AEE Minigrant Digital & Animation Festival funded for $1,000 and the Grid-Based Supercomputer minigrant funded for $1,000. He will receive his Minigrant and his 2006 Minigrant Recipient trophy at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the UL Alumni House.