LHRIC’s Education Awards Undergo a Rebranding

The Lower Hudson Regional Information Center’s Technology Leadership Institute has rebranded its acclaimed teacher and administrator awards, renaming what was once the Pioneer Award to the TELL Award.

The awards initiative, which has been in place since 1997, recognizes school district leaders and teachers who are instrumental in implementing and maintaining successful instructional technology programs in their schools.

The new name, which stands for Transforming Education through Leadership and Learning, was chosen based on current beliefs, understandings and trends that have emerged in educational technology in recent years, explained Sarah Martabano, manager of the LHRIC’s Instructional Technology Department.

“The TELL Award will recognize district leaders, teachers and/or staff who have demonstrated a transformation of education and student learning through their leadership,” added Ms. Martabano.

Educators and administrators in the LHRIC’s Technology Leadership Institute and/or Model Schools Services are eligible to apply. The TELL Award will be given to a total of six people, three of whom will be recognized as outstanding innovative leaders and three as outstanding innovative teachers.

An additional award will be given representing an outstanding LHRIC partner, at the behest of the LHRIC leadership.

Nominees for the Outstanding Innovative Leader category should demonstrate an ability to lead stakeholders in an innovation or practice that has had an impact on teaching and learning. Candidates must include strong evidence, such as a video and student artifacts, with their application that demonstrates the impact the change has had on their district, school and stakeholders.

Candidates vying for the Outstanding Innovative Teacher category must demonstrate innovation, creativity and effectiveness in how they integrate technology into teaching and learning. Evidence of a pilot or the full adoption of an instructional technology solution with multiple points of data illustrating the impact their practice has had on students and/or teachers should be included with their application.

Organizers said the practice should be something that can be replicated by other teachers.

This year, the award winners will have the opportunity to bring students to the May 12 TELL Awards morning ceremony to help illustrate their work in a series of poster sessions. The event will be held at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor.

For more information on the TELL Award, contact Ms. Martabano at smartabano@lhric.org or call 914-922-3411.