 |
||||
|
|
||||
|
SIMON YOUTH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2007 TEACHER/ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR |
|||
| For
immediate release November 12, 2006 |
CONTACT:
Barbara Richardson (317) 531-0017 Email: brichardson@simon.com |
|||
INDIANAPOLIS, IN –Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) presented its third-annual Teacher and Administrator of the Year Awards to individuals from its 21 alternative schools at its annual Best Practices Conference. The winner of Teacher of the Year was Louise Tally, Lead Teacher at the Florida Mall Education Resource Center (ERC) in Orlando, FL. Louise has been with the school since its inception in 2000. She has had a positive impact on hundreds of students who came to the ERC at-risk of dropping out, and left with diplomas in their hands. . In addition to the standard curriculum, Louise engages students in employability skills training, works with students to earn dual enrollment though a program she developed with Mid-Florida Tech, and stresses community service and the importance of giving back. Her students have made blankets, shawls, and other crafts to for senior citizens, and assisted in a Books-on-Tape project. The school has a 91 percent graduation rate. “I feel that respect is so important in today’s classroom, and this is especially true with at-risk students,” Louise said. “I always try to treat my students with the same respect that I want them to display in their relationships to me and their peers.” In her nomination, Louise’s peers describe her as someone who “exhibits a high level of care and concern for her students that, in turn, impacts achievement. She does whatever it takes to get the job done, and personal sacrifice for the needs of her students is continually exhibited.” The award for Administrator of the Year was given to Terrie Suica-Reed, President and CEO of Phase 4 Learning Center. Terrie came to education through a roundabout path. After spending her career in the business world, a life-altering event inspired her to make a change. Terrie was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer and given a life expectancy of six months. This inspired her to leave the business world and focus on spending her time educating youth. Instead of giving in, Terrie won her battle with cancer and worked in the public school system for nine years. After a recurrence in 1998, which she also beat, she decided to dedicate herself to making an even bigger impact through a new program that had been implemented in Century III Mall by non-profit Simon Youth Foundation. Since that time she founded Phase 4 Learning Center, and opened three schools. Phase 4 has maintained a nearly 100 percent gradation rate since its inception in 2003, and the Middle States Schools Association cited it as “changing the regional landscape of education.” “Ms. Suica-Reed and the others at Phase 4 are to be commended for pursuing their passion to motivate and educate students with innovative techniques,” said Ramsey Coates, General Counsel for Westinghouse Electric Company and former Phase 4 Executive Committee member. Terrie’s passion and commitment has been recognized by individuals including President and Mrs. Bush and Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell, and she was recently named to the Biltmore Who’s Who for “outstanding Leadership and Achievement in her profession. “Terrie is an incredible person who has demonstrated a relentless drive that is solely dedicated to the benefit of kids who have not been able to thrive in traditional secondary schools,” said Bob Garrity, a Senior Vice President with Giant Eagle, Inc. and President of the Phase 4 Board of Directors. “All things about Terrie are centered in the possibility that she sees for these young adults to have a life that can be dramatically altered by graduating from high school. “Terrie and her founding partners have an envious story to be told in courage, vision, teamwork, speed, hustle and achievement all supported by a record of graduates!” Candidates for the awards were nominated by their peers for exemplifying dedication and passion in their day-to-day work. Both winners were presented with checks for $1,000 from SYF, to be used at their discretion for school improvement, a one week stay at a resort, and airfare. “Louise and Terrie are exemplary educators, who have shown what a positive impact alternative education can have on at-risk students,” said Dr. Chris Chalker, Vice President, Education Services for SYF. “This award is a wonderful way to honor them for the difference they have made in the lives of so many students.” |
||||
Simon
Youth Foundation, established in 1998, has 21 alternative schools in
11 states, and has awarded more than $4.4 million in one-time and renewable
monetary scholarships. The foundation exists to foster and improve educational
opportunities, career development and life skills for at-risk youth
through focused programs and initiatives with its public school partners |
||||