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 over $3 million in total grants to deserving educators throughout the city.

For the eleventh consecutive year, the Foundation will honor 60 outstanding teachers with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Public Teachers. New this year, a certain number of awards will be available for teachers in varying grade groups: 24 awards for teachers of grades K-5; 20 awards teachers of grades 6-8; and 16 awards for teachers of grades 9-12.

Last year, award eligibility was expanded to teachers in elementary through high school grades; the award had only been open to high school teachers in prior years. The Foundation will also grant 7 Lindback Awards for Distinguished Principal Leadership.

The Distinguished Principal Leadership Award is accompanied by a $20,000 stipend for the school community, while the Distinguished Public Teacher Award includes a $3,500 stipend.

“The Lindback Foundation is honored to recognize the committed and extraordinary teachers and principals in the Philadelphia public schools with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Service,” said David Loder, Lindback Foundation Trustee. “There is no more important mission than to educate and provide positive role models to our students and future leaders. These award winners serve as exemplary educators every day and we applaud their many accomplishments, dedication and commitment to students and their communities.”

Since 2007 the Lindback Foundation has awarded over 600 Distinguished Public Teacher Awards and 49 Distinguished Principal Awards and has granted over $3 million in awards during that time.

“The School District has so many exceptional leaders and teachers who are making positive impacts on students’ lives both inside and outside the classroom,” 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.”

“This exciting award has enabled us to fund initiatives that we would not otherwise have an opportunity to pursue,” said 2017 Lindback Principal Award Winner Jeannine Payne of Richard R. Wright Elementary School. “The Lindback award allowed us to buy a new school uniform shirt for each of our students. We also have a number of students who come to us with safety plans and need accommodations so we are also outfitting a de-escalation room. We are so grateful to the Lindback Foundation and the School District for this opportunity, and cannot wait to congratulate the next round of recipients!”

Nominations for the principal award are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 and can be found online at https://goo.gl/4LQiKZ. Applications for the teacher award are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2 and can be accessed at https://goo.gl/oTYNTD.

“I was honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Lindback Award this past spring,” said 2017 Lindback Teacher Award winner Jeffrey Gross, special educator teacher at Edison High School. “To have my teaching recognized among so many hard working, creative and dedicated teachers in the District by this award is the pinnacle of my career. The award has inspired me to work harder and provide even more opportunities for the special needs students I am privileged to serve.”

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.