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Best Practices In Public Schools Showcased

Teachers in cities across the nation have been named 2007 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education for their extraordinary efforts to bridge gaps between public schools and the parents, businesses and organizations that make up the surrounding community.

Middle school, junior high and high school teachers were nominated for the Award by students, staff and faculty of the school, as well as by business and nonprofit leaders, mayors, council members, and neighbors of the schools. Through a competitive process, winners were selected for extraordinary efforts to create school – community partnerships, such as helping students develop disaster relief skills, produce plays to address critical social issues and build affordable housing for the economically disadvantaged.

“This Award celebrates teachers who build bridges between students’ school and community lives,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation. “We encourage this year’s winners to keep up the good work and to continue to model best practices that will inspire teachers across the country.”

MetLife Foundation encourages teachers to model the best practices exhibited by this year’s Ambassadors. The 2007 winners of the MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award are:

• Baltimore: Clare Grizzard, Roland Park Middle School
• Boston: Angela Cappucci, Health Careers Academy
• Charlotte: Amy Walters, South Charlotte Middle School
• Chicago: Michaelene Kelly, Alice L. Barnard Computer, Math & Science Center
• Dallas: David Bates, T.C. Marsh Middle School
• Dayton: Langston Watras, Patterson-Kennedy Site-Based Academy
• Denver: Tricia Downing, Fred N. Thomas Career Education Center
• Des Moines: Michael Schaffer, Central Campus
• Detroit: James Sweeney, Randolph Career and Technical Center

• Fort Worth: Farley Simon, J.P. Elder Middle School
• Greenville: Beth Thomas, Carolina High School Academy
• Long Beach: Devon Day, Wilson Classical High School
• Los Angeles: Gladys Aldana, Grant High School
• Minneapolis: Sue Cullen-Pehrson, Lake Harriet Community School
• New York: Robert Frisch, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
• Oakland: Maryann Wolfe,Oakland Technical High School
• Philadelphia: Anna Votta, Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP)
• Saint Louis: Marjorie Deem, Compton-Drew Investigative Learning Center Middle School
• San Antonio: Tamara Ford, Lanier High School
• San Francisco: Dina Wright, Abraham Lincoln High School
• Tampa: Sherrie Mueller, Plant City High School
• Tulsa: Leon Rollerson, McLain High School/TSST
• Washington, D.C.: Elizabeth Davis, Charles Hart Middle School

Crossbow Communications developed and launched the Ambassadors In Education Award for MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League in 2003 after the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher revealed a divide between many educators and their communities.

The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award is intended to help reverse this trend by improving the understanding and collaboration between educators and the communities that they serve.

The Award is sponsored by MetLife Foundation, founded in 1976 by MetLife to support programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, develop partnerships between schools and communities, and strengthen relationships among parents, teachers and students. The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to community building, conducts the award program. Crossbow developed the program and promotes it nationwide.

Crossbow Communications is one of the leading public relations and public affairs firms in the United States. We have influenced public opinion and public policy around the world for more than 30 years. Today, we are tackling some of the most urgent issues of our time, including vital health and environmental challenges. We have offices in Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona.