Lindback Award Applications Now Open to Teachers, Principals Throughout the School District
PHILADELPHIA — The School District of Philadelphia is once again partnering with The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation to honor exemplary Philadelphia public school teachers and principals, continuing an annual tradition that has awarded more than $3 million in total grants to deserving educators throughout the city.
The Foundation will honor 60 outstanding elementary through high school teachers with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Public Teachers, which includes a $3,500 stipend. The Foundation will also grant seven Lindback Awards for Distinguished Principal Leadership, which will be accompanied by a $20,000 stipend for the school community.
“The Lindback Foundation is honored to recognize the committed teachers and principals in Philadelphia’s public schools,” said David Loder, Lindback Foundation Trustee. “There is no more important mission than to educate and encourage our students and future leaders. These award winners serve as exemplary educators and role models every day and we applaud their accomplishments and dedication to their students and school communities.”
Since 2007, the Lindback Foundation has awarded 669 Distinguished Public Teacher Awards and 56 Distinguished Principal Awards, and has granted over $3.3 million in awards during that time.
“The School District has so many outstanding principals and teachers who are making a positive impact on our students,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. “I thank the Lindback Foundation for continuing to make such a significant investment in our dedicated principals and teachers.”
“The Lindback Award validates and honors the collective work of our school community,” said 2018 Lindback Principal Award winner Fatima Rogers of Charles W. Henry School. “The Lindback award is allowing us to transform our computer lab into a multimedia center, which will better serve our students as they engage in STEM-related learning.”
New this year, a District website landing page outlines the requirements needed to submit applications electronically for both teacher and principal awards. Nominations for the principal award are due by 12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, while applications for the teacher award are due by 12 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019. More information about the awards and links to application materials can be found online at philasd.org/lindback.
“It was a great honor to be recognized by the Lindback Foundation this past spring,” said 2018 Lindback Teacher Award winner Ezechial Thurman, music technology teacher at Hill-Freedman World Academy. “As teachers, we focus on celebrating the successes of our students and rarely have an opportunity to be recognized for the work we do. To be nominated by my school community and selected for this award was a humbling experience for which I am grateful. The Lindback award mattered to me because it gave me the opportunity to join with other dedicated teachers in reflecting on what matters most: how we can continue to provide the very best educational opportunities to the children of Philadelphia.”
Principal and teacher award ceremonies will be held in 2019 in April and May, respectively.
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 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.