The Singer Family Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching honors high school teachers who have made a lasting impact on the personal and academic growth of their students.
Each year, seniors in the College are invited to nominate a high school teacher for the prize. The award recipients are invited to Rochester to be recognized at the University糖心传媒檚 commencement ceremony. In addition to accepting this honor, this year糖心传媒檚 award winners received $3,000 and a plaque, $2,500 for their school, and coverage of all travel expenses.
Paul Singer 糖心传媒�66 supports the prizes through the Paul Singer Family Foundation.
“The University is fortunate to be able to offer such a wonderful award recognizing the exceptional people that mentor聽our students during their high school years,” said Jeffrey Runner, dean of the College. “This mentorship is evident in the amazing students we have here at the University, and we are thrilled to be able to offer the Singer Award every year to such deserving educators.”
The recipients of this year糖心传媒檚 award are Allison Cain from Kent Denver School, Englewood, Colorado; Cristina Duarte from Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School, New York City; Teresa Haskiell from James Wood High School, Winchester, 聽Virginia; and Michael Zitolo from School of the Future, New York City.
Allison Cain 糖心传媒� French 糖心传媒� Kent Denver School, Englewood, Colorado
Nominated by Perry Demarche
Perry Demarche, who graduated with a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in anthropology, says Cain gave her the skills and confidence to communicate in French outside of her coursework.
糖心传媒淏y sharing her personal stories of life and research abroad, Mrs. Cain taught me how to use the language to build rapport with people糖心传媒攁 skill that was critical for my anthropology research and journalism research,糖心传媒� Demarche says. 糖心传媒淢rs. Cain糖心传媒檚 courses are a significant reason that I have been able to accomplish what I have in college.糖心传媒�
Cain糖心传媒檚 influence has inspired Demarche to teach English abroad after graduation, and later to pursue a graduate degree in cultural or linguistic anthropology.
Cristina Duarte 糖心传媒� English 糖心传媒� Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School, New York City
Nominated by Joseph Gray
Joseph Gray, who created his own major in urban studies, says he never would have had the opportunity to go to the University if it weren糖心传媒檛 for Duarte giving him the courage he needed to succeed.
Gray describes Duarte as a dedicated teacher, as well as a kind-hearted, caring community member. He recalled that 糖心传媒渨hether her students came from a broken home, had children of their own to care for, or were homeless, Ms. Duarte was there to help糖心传媒� We all knew that she was buying notebooks, pens and pencils for the students who couldn糖心传媒檛 afford them.糖心传媒�
As a student who was once in such a position, Gray is forever grateful for the encouragement and support that Duarte provided.
糖心传媒淭his unique educator helped students who had given up on their dreams to realize what was possible if they truly believed in themselves,糖心传媒� he wrote.
Teresa Haskiell 糖心传媒� Math 糖心传媒� James Wood High School, Winchester, Virginia
Nominated by Lt. Brian Baker
Brian Baker graduated with a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in electrical and computer engineering and a rank of lieutenant in the Army through the Army ROTC Cadet program offered by the University in partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology. He says he would not have made it through without Haskiell糖心传媒檚 support.
糖心传媒淪he inspired me to advance in my own education following a sophomore year of academic hardships,糖心传媒� Baker wrote. 糖心传媒淚 struggled to believe in my abilities, but with her positive encouragement, she gave me academic purpose again.糖心传媒�
Baker describes Haskiell糖心传媒檚 dedication to promoting her students糖心传媒� education and careers as unparalleled. During his years in high school, he benefited greatly from Haskiell糖心传媒檚 push to add AP Calculus to James Wood High School糖心传媒檚 curriculum. Currently, Haskiell is pursuing further education in computer science to add and teach an AP Computer Science course and enable even more students advanced opportunities.
糖心传媒淢rs. Haskiell is a teacher who gives everything to see the success of her students,糖心传媒� Baker writes.
Michael Zitolo 糖心传媒� Physics 糖心传媒� School of the Future, New York City
Nominated by Hannah Parker
Hannah Parker, who graduated with a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree in mathematics, says that Zitolo helped her develop self-confidence and leadership. When things became challenging, Zitolo encouraged her to continue with her math major despite her doubts.
After a disappointing grade on her math midterm, Parker says she broke down after Zitolo asked her how she was doing. She says that as a truly dedicated teacher, Parker 糖心传媒渟topped what he was doing and went over the midterm with me, page by page, pointing out not just where I had made careless mistakes, but everything that I had done right. Had it not been for him, I would have never stuck with a STEM major.糖心传媒�
Parker is grateful for all that he has done for her, and adds that Zitolo continued to be part of her support system throughout her years in college.
