Boston Day and Evening Academy teacher wins MetLife "Ambassador in Education" Award

DENVER, CO – The National Civic League has selected Constance Borab, a Humanities teacher at Boston Day and Evening Academy, as a winner of the 2009 MetLife Foundation “Ambassadors In Education” award. Ms. Borab is one of only 25 winners selected nationally for leadership in building bridges between local schools and communities and will receive a $5,000 grant for her school at a local award ceremony.

Ms. Borab founded the Hudson Project, a unique program that pairs teachers and students at her school for overage students with those of suburban Hudson High School. The idea is for students and teachers from different backgrounds to “walk in each other’s shoes.” Participants prepare for their visits to the partner school by reading Shakespeare plays, so they can experience the exchange with their “heads and hearts.”

“Connie’s vision and extraordinary efforts brought this program to life and have changed the lives of students and teachers who have participated in the program,” wrote a colleague at Hudson High in support of her nomination.

“All of us in the Boston Public Schools extend our thanks and congratulations to Connie Borab,” said Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. “This award celebrates the importance of forging strong ties between our schools and our communities. We are grateful to the National Civic League and MetLife Foundation for honoring one of our innovative teachers for her vision and dedication.”

Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA), located in the Dudley Square area of Roxbury, is an innovative, year-round Horace Mann public charter high school in the Boston Public Schools that serves 350 students who are overage for grade level and at high risk for dropping out. The school’s former Headmaster, Margaret Maccini, was a winner of the “Ambassador in Education” award last year.

“Ms. Borab is truly an inspiration to her colleagues, and most importantly, to her students and advisees,” said Beatriz McConnie Zapater, Co-Head of BDEA. “Not only is she the most hard-working teacher, but her hard work is always about being creative, and never giving up on her students.”

“This year’s winners are some of the most gifted and dedicated teachers in the country,” noted Gloria Rubio-Cortes, President of the National Civic League. “Each and every one of them has an important story to tell of how professional educators, parents, students, business leaders and community organizations can work together to improve schools and communities.”

The award is designed to recognize educators whose influence can be felt beyond the classrooms and hallways, by recognizing educators who build partnerships with community organizations, parents, and guardians; resolve conflicts and promote safety; and participate in civic engagement and community service efforts. Middle and high school educators in participating public school districts are eligible, and are nominated by peers, parents, students or community members and selected by a national panel of education and civic experts. The Ambassadors In Education award was established in 2003, after MetLife’s annual Survey of the American Teacher identified a growing gap between public schools and their communities.

“Effective education is a collaborative venture that depends on good teachers, as well as administrators, parents, an engaged community, and students themselves,” said MetLife Foundation President and CEO Dennis White. “The teachers recognized with Ambassador In Education Awards are leaders and innovators, who inspire students, peers, and neighbors to make schools and communities strong.”

PHOTO: Connie Borab with BDEA graduate Tiffany Figueroa.

MetLife Foundation, established in 1976, supports education, health, civic and cultural programs throughout the United States. In education, it places particular emphasis on initiatives that improve public schools, develop the leadership of teachers and principals, and involve parents and communities. Its grantmaking is informed by results from the annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information, visit www.metlife.org.

The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to community building and strengthening local democracy, administers the program. With the 2009 awards, this program has recognized 140 Ambassadors In Education with $700,000 in grants.
For more information about the Ambassadors In Education Award visit www.ncl.org/metlife.