School District of Philadelphia, Lindback Foundation Honor 60 Extraordinary Teachers
The School District of Philadelphia and the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation of Philadelphia presented 60 District teachers with the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers at an award ceremony Tuesday night at the Philadelphia Film Society. The award, which has been generously funded by the Lindback Foundation since 2011, recognizes teachers who create positive, supportive learning environments, motivate students to learn and serve as role models to students. Recipients also receive a $3,500 cash award.
The 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers are:
- Sarah Apt Olney High School
- Andrea Barnes Vaux Big Picture High School
- Michael Biddle Gen. Philip Kearny School
- Allyson Bonanni Henry A. Brown School
- Rachel Cammisa-Cantz Horace Furness High School
- Nicole Cartagena Amedee F. Bregy School
- Heather Chero Feltonville Arts & Sciences
- Linda Chim Eliza B. Kirkbride School
- Jennifer Clark Middle Years Alternative (MYA) School
- Mary Collins Rhawnhurst School
- Veronica Davies William H. Loesche School
- Lucia de Sousa Serro Frances E. Willard School
- Michael DeMeno John Moffett School
- Joanne Donahue Julia R. Masterman High School
- Frances Eisenberg Ethan Allen School
- Michelle Ettorre West Philadelphia High School
- Jeanne Farrell Abram Jenks School
- Andrea Ferentchak Jay Cooke Elementary School
- Licinio Ferreira Kensington High School
- Russell Gallagher Philadelphia Military Academy
- Stefano Giuliani Gen. Philip Kearny School
- Keely Gray Isaac A. Sheppard School
- Leigh Ann Hayward John Bartram High School
- Anna Herman The U School
- Wilma Hernandez Honorable Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School
- Silvia Hortelano-Pelaez Hill-Freedman World Academy
- Janet Hudson South Philadelphia High School
- Marlon Jones Swenson Arts & Technology High School
- Kaley Lankford Frankford High School
- Matthew Lessie Jules E. Mastbaum High School
- Lisa Levin Joseph Greenberg School
- Dr. Lindsay Calamia Henry H. Houston Elementary School
- William McKant III Parkway-Northwest High School
- Dana McNeal Jenks Academy for Arts & Sciences
- Alexis McNear Northeast High School
- Beth Menasion Science Leadership Academy
- Theresa Montgomery Gloria Casarez Elementary School
- Christina Moran-Johnson Overbrook High School
- Jennifer Motsney George W. Nebinger School
- Trina Pemberton Joseph Pennell Elementary School
- Shawna Portuese William H. Ziegler School
- Zachary Posnan Russell Conwell Middle Magnet School
- Marc Reason Henry H. Houston School
- Deborah Rimkunas Fox Chase School
- Carla Russell Northeast Community Propel Academy
- Renee Schreiner Dr. Tanner G. Duckery School
- Frank Siedell Stephen Decatur School
- Michele Sorkin Socki George Washington High School
- Matthew Stine James R. Ludlow School
- Tiffany Storti Fanny Jackson-Coppin School
- Christine Swift Carver Engineering & Science High School
- Jade Tuff Academy at Palumbo
- Colleen Vagnozzi Widener Memorial School
- Hillary Van Anda Philadelphia Virtual Academy
- Joshua Vaughan Roxborough High School
- Khalil Williams West Philadelphia High School
- Laura Williams William W. Bodine High School
- Jessica Wirshup Charles W. Henry School
- Leah Witte Solomon Solis-Cohen School
- Emmalee Young Hon. Luis Munoz-Marin School
Each year, the award recipients are celebrated during a reception, and this year’s ceremony is the first time back in-person since 2019. The event featured congratulatory remarks and student performances from Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP).
“When students leave our schools, they will always remember the teachers who touched and impacted their lives – the ones who supported, encouraged and inspired them,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. “Our students deserve a high-quality education, and I believe that the number one ingredient to improving academic performance for all of our students is providing them with consistent access to high-quality teachers like our Lindback honorees. Thank you to the Lindback Foundation and its trustees who understand the impact a great teacher has on our students.”
Members of the community were able to nominate teachers from District schools. The Lindback Foundation’s Selection Committee chose the 60 teachers based on their leadership and humanitarian contributions to their respective school communities.
”We are thrilled to be recognizing distinguished public school teachers dedicated to teaching and mentoring their students who will become the future leaders of our industries and government of tomorrow,” said Lindback Foundation Trustee David E. Loder.
Last month, the Lindback Foundation also honored seven principals with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals. Those school leaders were each presented with a $20,000 stipend to be used to support each winner’s school community.
For more information, visit https://www.philasd.org/cso/about/lindback-foundation-awards/.
ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN R. AND MARY F. LINDBACK FOUNDATION:
The Foundation was initially established by a testamentary gift in trust under the will of Christian R. Lindback. The Foundation’s individual and corporate trustees were given broad discretion to support charitable purposes within the territorial United States. Educational goals and the support of distressed individuals in the City of Philadelphia through existing charitable organizations were given emphasis. The trustees have focused discretionary grant attention on the Greater Philadelphia area, including South Jersey. Since 1961, the Foundation has been recognizing outstanding faculty members at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Currently 52 institutions of higher learning are participating in the program. Peruse the curriculum vitae of Lindback Award recipients and you will note that the award is mentioned proudly and prominently, attesting to the universal prestige associated with the honor.