From Shane Doud, Executive Assistant, Mayor’s Office of Education:
When we started this search our office was overwhelmed with the number of deserving and dedicated teachers across our city. This has inspired us to look to continue and possibly expand the event heading into the fall (more information to come over the summer). We have chosen 4 great teachers to represent our city’s diverse educational background.
The winning teachers are…
Wilma Stephenson– Frankford High School– Culinary Arts (Six of her students thanks to her leadership and guidance were recently awarded $336,000.00 in scholarship money!)
Jim O’Brien- Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School– English ( Mr. O’Brien has been teaching for 43 years and still finds time to run clubs and other school programs)
Jennie Prochorenko Stadelberger- New Foundations Charter School– Special Education ( Ms P.S. is excellent communicator with parents, has helped guide and mold some fantastic students and has dedicated her time to produce a student yearbook when it appeared one wouldn’t be produced.)
Richard Leek- Girard College- History, Government and World Religions (Mr. Leek has been teaching for over 27 years, and coaching swimming, track and field & cross country for most of that time. Our office was informed that several of Mr. Leek’s students have returned to the classroom and have become teachers themselves citing Mr. Leek as their inspiration.)
Last night I stumbled upon Pressure Cooker on Netflix. The documentary nominated for 2010 Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking Emmy is about Frankford High’s culinary arts teacher, Wilma Stephenson, as she prepares her students for a culinary showdown that provides college scholarships to the best of the best. It was really neat to see Frankford showcased through the whole film. As the students and their teacher often talk about their life, personal and history through car rides, you’re constantly treated to views of Frankford. Although it kind of looks urbanly rough. It’s available both to Netflix subscribers both as a mail order DVD and as a “Watch Instantly” video stream to your TV [




