The School District of Philadelphia and the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation of Philadelphia presented 60 District teachers with the 2024 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 2024 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers are:
- Luz Alvadela-Rosa
Olney High School - Miya Benintende
Edward T. Steel School - Shakeera Blair-Morgan
William D. Kelley School - Lori Blue
Gen. Philip Kearny School - Maureen Brower
James G. Blaine School - Michelle Brozdonis
Fanny Jackson Coppin - Christine Bush
Henry H. Houston School - Mitchell Cadiz-Perez
William H. Hunter School - Dana Calixte
Feltonville Intermediate School - Francesca Cantarini
Charles W. Henry School - Lynda Coyle
Stephen Decatur School - Willa Deitch
The Workshop School - Timothy Dickson
Amy 5 at James Martin - Anabela dos Santos
Bodine High School - Denise Douglas
Henry H. Houston School - Kimberly Fail
Hon. Luis Muñoz-Marín School - Dara Fleischman
Potter-Thomas School - LeeAnne Fox-Jones
Julia R. High Masterman School - Laura Gehring-Ottinger
Fox Chase School - Lisa Hannum
Gloria Casarez Elementary School - Ilene Heller
Edwin M. Stanton School - Zachary Hill
George W. Nebinger School - Neil Hoffman
Hon. Luis Muñoz-Marín School - Tyriese Holloway
Overbrook High School - Dina Hurwitz
Greenberg School - Keith J. Ford
Russell Conwell Middle School - Armond James
South Philadelphia High School - Mark Karcz
The U School - Kaci Kelsey
West Philadelphia High School - Christina Kimmel
Cook-Wissahickon - Maureen Kubicek
Jules E.Mastbaum High School - Catherine Leung
South Philadelphia High School - Mark Macyk
Edward T. Steel School - Molly Maldonado
Philadelphia Virtual Academy - Michael Mander
Constitution High School - Joshua Maroney
The LINC - Joanii Marrero
Alexander K. McClure School - Denise McCaig
Watson Comly School - Carl Murset
South Philadelphia High School - Courtney Rand
John H. Taggart School - Mary Beth Reinhold
Frankford High School - Timothy Riley
Anna L. Lingelbach School - Carmen Rocha
Alexander K. McClure School - Daniel Rodini
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy - Lotus Rong
Francis Scott Key School - Alex Saddic
Furness High School - Rosemary Scanlan Jacob
Jay Cooke Elementary School - Garth Schuler
Walter B. High Saul School - Michelle R. Shaw-Carpenter
Thomas Mifflin School - Alma Sheppard-Matsuo
Murrell Dobbins CTE High School - Zoe Siswick
Science Leadership Academy - Christopher Smith
Vaux Big Picture High School - Robert Smith
Roxborough High School - Deborah Soto-Diaz
Thomas Holme School - Michael Southerton
Crossroads Accelerated Academy - Adrienne Staten
Northeast High School - William W. Sax
South Philadelphia High School - Jannel Williams
Potter-Thomas School - Allison Wilton
Northeast Community Propel Academy - Brendan Yuhas
Robert Morris School
Each year, the award recipients are celebrated at an awards ceremony that includes congratulatory remarks and student performances. The ceremony concludes with a reception for all attendees.
“Thank you to the Lindback Foundation and its trustees for honoring some of the outstanding educators who go above and beyond inside and outside of their classrooms to support our students,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., “Our students deserve a high-quality education and research shows that the single most important factor in a student’s academic achievement is having access to an effective, highly-qualified, and stable teacher over time. Teachers like our Lindback honorees who have made such an impact that their colleagues, students and families took time to nominate them for this award – congratulations!”
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.
“As trustees, we recognize that teachers are the heartbeat of Philadelphia’s educational ecosystem, shaping the minds and futures of our city’s youth with unwavering dedication and passion,” said Lindback Foundation Trustee Ashley Cook. “Their commitment fuels our collective progress, fostering a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
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.