Title
Recognizing and honoring the 63 outstanding Philadelphia public school teachers, recipients of the Lindback Award for Distinguished High School Teachers for excellence and in particular the seven recipients from schools located in the 4th Council District during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, 2012.
Body
WHEREAS, The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation sponsors an annual award that recognizes outstanding teachers. The Lindback Award for Distinguished High School Teachers recognizes one teacher from every Philadelphia public high school who demonstrates excellence in promoting learning at the highest levels. The award recipients are chosen based on their activities that improve the intellectual and character development of students; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Hunter has been an autistic support educator at School of the Future for four years. A graduate of Temple University, she holds certifications in special education, elementary education, and early childhood education. Hunter earned her graduate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Scranton and is pursuing her special-education supervisory certificate with Pennsylvania State University; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Mussari has been a dedicated English teacher for the last 38 years in the Philadelphia School District. During his career, Mussari has taught students at Wanamaker, Beeber, Shoemaker, Sulzberger, Benjamin Franklin High School, West Philadelphia High School, and Lamberton High School, where he has taught for the last 16 years. Mussari is a firm believer that education is communication; and
WHEREAS, French teacher Thomas Wolfinger is a graduate of Holy Family and Susquehanna Universities. At Lakenau High School he sponsors the French club, environmental science/recycling club, and junior class. The French club has traveled to Quebec and France, and Wolfinger is organizing an environmentally-themed Costa Rica trip that was featured in a January 2012 edition of WHYY's Newsworks; and
WHEREAS, Margery C. Willis is a National Board-Certified Teacher and a graduate of Temple University, and spent 10 years teaching at Temple before returning to her alma mater as an English teacher. The staff of Overbrook High School soon recognized her as someone who unselfishly shared her expertise through professional development with fellow colleagues. The staff has benefited greatly from her knowledge in integrating technology into instruction and the effective implementation of co-teaching to support student success; and
WHEREAS, For 21 of his 34-year career, Stephen Weber has been a valued member of Roxborough High School's special-education department. He is currently the autistic support teacher and has served as special-education liaison, Special Olympics coach, and Autism Awareness Club sponsor. He voluntarily works with students after school and is working toward an autism certificate at La Salle University; and
WHEREAS, Michael Thompson is a graduate of West Chester University and teaches world history, African American history, and social sciences at W.B. Saul High School. After school he serves as the varsity bowling coach, where the team has made it to the playoffs over the last eight years, and also serves as the assistant baseball coach working to help lead the team to the playoffs over the last eight years; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Crowe has transitioned from the world of chemical engineering to an SDP classroom at Youth Study Center, bringing real-life applications to youth in detention. He has developed procedures for implementing A-plus computer instruction. He also has supported the implementation of K'Nex Education, and has worked in collaboration with colleagues to implement a robotics program for youth; now therefore,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the 63 outstanding Philadelphia public school teachers, recipients of the Lindback Award for Distinguished High School Teachers for excellence, and in particular the seven teachers from schools located in the 4th Council District, who received this prestigious award during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, 2012.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ashley Hunter, Joseph Mussari, Thomas Wolfinger, Margery C. Willis, Stephen Weber, Michael Thompson and Patrick Crowe as evidence of the high admiration and sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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