Lopez is one of five Pre-K-12 teachers who are being recognized as part of the launch of a national competition to recognize inspiring teachers from each state
Brooklyn kindergarten teacher Nicole Lopez of P.S. 282 received a $10,000 award for being an inspirational teacher as part of the San Diego-based National University System-Sanford Teacher Award campaign, congratulated by National University System Chancellor Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Principal Rashan Hoke, Long Island University President Dr. Kimberly Cline, and Assistant Principal Katerina Sidbury. The competition, which concludes Nov. 1 2018, is recognizing more than fifty inspiring teachers around the country with awards of up to $50,000.
New York City – In recognition of teachers who inspire students to achieve their greatest potential, National University System has launched the first annual Sanford Teacher Award, a half-million dollar award campaign to honor the nation’s top inspiring PreK-12 teachers. The Sanford Teacher Award competition, which concludes Nov. 1, will award the top inspirational teacher in each state with $10,000, with the exception of one top teacher who will be named a national winner and receive a grand award of $50,000. As part of the outreach activities, kindergarten teacher Nicole Lopez, of P.S. 282 in Brooklyn, was recognized today for being one of five inaugural Sanford Teacher Award recipients identified for their commitment to creating inspirational and harmonious classrooms that support student development and achievement.
During today’s event, Lopez was surprised with a $10,000 cash award after being recognized as representing the key characteristics of inspiring teaching that are central to the Award. Surprise celebrations were previously held in honor of the other four inaugural award recipients in Los Angeles, Dallas, San Diego, and Clark County, Nevada. As an inaugural Sanford Teacher Award recipient, Lopez was chosen for her commitment to bringing together students of diverse backgrounds through social emotional learning approaches developed by the Sanford Harmony program. Today’s recognition was held by the National University System in partnership with Long Island University.
The five inaugural Sanford Teacher Award recipients are supporting efforts in raising awareness of the national Sanford Teacher Awards competition, leading up to the announcement of the additional 50 winners in November.
“There is no higher calling than being a teacher, and as the teacher workforce is under heavy demands, it is important to provide educators ongoing professional development that supports and inspires them in their classrooms,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System, a network of nonprofit education institutions that serve lifelong learners from PreK to graduate level. “Teachers are the driving force of innovation in education. We congratulate the inaugural five recipients for their commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for their students.”
The Sanford Teacher Awards are part of the national expansion efforts of the three Sanford Programs, which also includes a nationwide network of institutes anchored by the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University that offers training programs for front-line nonprofit fundraisers. The effort involves the collaboration of universities nationwide, such as Long Island University’s expansion of the programs in the Northeast part of the United States, that share a similar dedication to the professional support of educators and the nonprofit sector. To date, more than 3 million people have been impacted by the programs.
As the nation faces an increasing teacher shortage exacerbated by teacher retention challenges, the PreK-12 Sanford Inspire offers a toolkit of research-based teaching methodologies, and on-demand, self-guided modules that are accessible online to help teachers create inspiring classroom environments that encourage students to succeed. The Sanford College of Education at National University, which is part of the National University System, is also a leader among a growing number of universities that have integrated Inspire principles into their teacher education curriculum. Sanford Harmony is a PreK-6 research-based social-emotional learning program that cultivates strong classroom relationships between all students. Sanford Harmony has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as a quality program, and is reaching more than a million students nationwide, including in the largest school districts, through easy-to-integrate lessons, activity cards and story books that encourage students to develop empathy, communication skills, and positive peer relationships by learning how to collaborate and look beyond perceived differences.
The criteria for selecting 50 winners is based on the following characteristics of inspiring teaching: Enthusiasm for teaching; empathy and warmth towards all students; fosters positive relationships with all students; creates a positive learning environment; and recognizes student strengths. The finalists’ nominations form will be reviewed by a selection committee based at National University in La Jolla, California.
About the National University System
The National University System is a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving higher education and K-12 students that includes National University, Northcentral University, and City University of Seattle. Established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century, the network’s complementary universities offer pathways for students to attain professional and terminal degrees through quality and innovative programs delivered in a format that is flexible to the needs of adult learners. The anchor institution, National University, was founded in 1971 and is among the largest private, nonprofit institutions of higher education in California with more than 230,000 alumni.
About the Sanford Education Center and Sanford College of Education at National University
The Sanford Education Center at National University was established in 2014 to provide innovative programs in the nonprofit and Pre-K-12 sectors. The Center, in coordination with universities around the country, such as Long Island University, is leading the national expansion of three initiatives: Sanford Harmony, Sanford Inspire and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. The Center’s initiatives are supported by the National University System, National University, and the University’s Sanford College of Education. The College is among the Top Ten largest schools of education in the country and prepares more teachers than any other university in the state of California. Learn more: sanfordprograms.org