The Washington AFRO American
Public charter garners D.C. Teacher of the Year award
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Stephanie Day, a teacher at Friendship Public Charter School’s Chamberlain campus in Ward 6, was named Washington, D.C.’s 2010 Teacher of the Year Jan. 20.
D.C. State Superintendent of Education Kerri Briggs and D.C. Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso presented Day with the coveted award in front of students, parents and fellow educators—including Friendship’s Chairman Donald Hense and Chamberlain campus principal Keith Stephenson—during a ceremony held at Friendship’s Chamberlain campus last week.
“Ms. Day won because she believes in her students and knows that they can achieve immeasurable goals when held to the highest standards,” said Barnaby Towns, spokesman of Friends of Choice in Urban Schools, the D.C. public charter school advocacy and resource organization. “We are delighted that this honor is going to one of the many outstanding educators who teach the 38 percent of D.C. children in public charter schools.”
Day was selected by a panel of District education leaders from charter and traditional public schools chosen by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The application process included a written application and essays, an interview, and a classroom observation.
As the 2010 D.C. Teacher of the Year, Day received a $3,000 check and will represent the District of Columbia in the National Teacher of the Year competition and program in Dallas, Texas. Four other finalists, two from District public charter schools and two from District traditional public schools, each received checks for $1,000.