60 Philly Public School Educators Win Distinguished Teacher Award

PHILADELPHIA — Five dozen teachers in the School District of Philadelphia were recently presented with the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers.

These educators were honored at an award ceremony Tuesday night at the Philadelphia Film Society.

The award, which has been 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 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers are:

• Sarah Apt — Olney High School
• Andrea Barnes — Vaux Big Picture High School
• Michael Biddle — Gen. Philip Kearny School
• Allyson Bonanni — Henry A. Brown School
• Rachel Cammisa-Cantz — Horace Furness High School
• Nicole Cartagena — Amedee F. Bregy School
• Heather Chero — Feltonville Arts & Sciences
• Linda Chim — Eliza B. Kirkbride School
• Jennifer Clark — Middle Years Alternative (MYA) School
• Mary Collins — Rhawnhurst School
• Veronica Davies — William H. Loesche School
• Lucia de Sousa Serro — Frances E. Willard School
• Michael DeMeno — John Moffett School
• Joanne Donahue — Julia R. Masterman High School
• Frances Eisenberg — Ethan Allen School
• Michelle Ettorre — West Philadelphia High School
• Jeanne Farrell — Abram Jenks School
• Andrea Ferentchak — Jay Cooke Elementary School
• Licinio Ferreira — Kensington High School
• Russell Gallagher — Philadelphia Military Academy
• Stefano Giuliani — Gen. Philip Kearny School
• Keely Gray — Isaac A. Sheppard School
• Leigh Ann Hayward — John Bartram High School
• Anna Herman — The U School
• Wilma Hernandez — Honorable Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School
• Silvia Hortelano-Pelaez — Hill-Freedman World Academy
• Janet Hudson — South Philadelphia High School
• Marlon Jones — Swenson Arts & Technology High School
• Kaley Lankford — Frankford High School
• Matthew Lessie — Jules E. Mastbaum High School
• Lisa Levin — Joseph Greenberg School
• Dr. Lindsay Calamia — Henry H. Houston Elementary School
• William McKant III — Parkway-Northwest High School
• Dana McNeal — Jenks Academy for Arts & Sciences
• Alexis McNear — Northeast High School
• Beth Menasion — Science Leadership Academy
• Theresa Montgomery — Gloria Casarez Elementary School
• Christina Moran-Johnson — Overbrook High School
• Jennifer Motsney — George W. Nebinger School
• Trina Pemberton — Joseph Pennell Elementary School
• Shawna Portuese — William H. Ziegler School
• Zachary Posnan — Russell Conwell Middle Magnet School
• Marc Reason — Henry H. Houston School
• Deborah Rimkunas — Fox Chase School
• Carla Russell — Northeast Community Propel Academy
• Renee Schreiner — Dr. Tanner G. Duckery School
• Frank Siedell — Stephen Decatur School
• Michele Sorkin — Socki George Washington High School
• Matthew Stine — James R. Ludlow School
• Tiffany Storti — Fanny Jackson-Coppin School
• Christine Swift — Carver Engineering & Science High School
• Jade Tuff — Acaemy at Palumbo
• Colleen Vagnozzi — Widener Memorial School
• Hillary Van Anda — Philadelphia Virtual Academy
• Joshua Vaughan — Roxborough High School
• Khalil Williams — West Philadelphia High School
• Laura Williams — William W. Bodine High School
• Jessica Wirshup — Charles W. Henry School
• Leah Witte — Solomon Solis-Cohen School
• Emmalee Young — Hon. Luis Munoz-Marin School

Each year, the award recipients are celebrated during a reception, and this year’s ceremony is the first time back in-person since 2019. The event featured congratulatory remarks and student performances from Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP).

"When students leave our schools, they will always remember the teachers who touched and impacted their lives – the ones who supported, encouraged and inspired them," said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. "Our students deserve a high-quality education, and I believe that the number one ingredient to improving academic performance for all of our students is providing them with consistent access to high-quality teachers like our Lindback honorees. Thank you to the Lindback Foundation and its trustees who understand the impact a great teacher has on our students."

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.

"We are thrilled to be recognizing distinguished public school teachers dedicated to teaching and mentoring their students who will become the future leaders of our industries and government of tomorrow," said Lindback Foundation Trustee David E. Loder.

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.