Four Other ESOL Instructors Will Also be Honored; New ESOL Web Site Introduced
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2007--The New York Times
announced today the names of one winner and four honorees in the
paper's first ESOL Teachers of the Year Program. The five teachers all
provide instruction in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
to adult students in New York City.
The winner in this inaugural year was Ellen Quish, ESOL instructor
and staff developer in the Adult Learning Center, Division of Adult
and Continuing Education at LaGuardia Community College. The four
honorees are:
- Andrew Bell, ESOL instructor, New York City Department of
Education, Office of Adult and Continuing Education
- Lee Jay Favors, ESL Coordinator, Brooklyn College and Brooklyn
Public Library
- Alexander Sokol, adjunct, City College of New York Adult
Literacy Program
- Beda Vergara, ESOL/Civics instructor, SoBRO (South Bronx
Overall Economic Development Organization)
Ms. Quish and the four honorees will be recognized at a special
ceremony presented by The Times on Thursday, Feb. 22 at which Ms.
Quish will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. The honorees
will receive certificates and gifts from The Times. All five teachers
were nominated in the fall of 2006 by their students, other teachers
or colleagues. Nominators were asked to explain why their nominees
were such effective teachers and how they had improved the lives of
their students and others. All ESOL teachers working in New York City
were eligible for consideration.
"The New York Times is delighted to recognize Ellen Quish and the
other honorees in our first-ever ESOL Teachers of the Year program,"
said Diane McNulty, executive director, community affairs and media
relations, The New York Times. "Although we have identified five
outstanding teachers for this honor, our intention is to pay tribute
to all ESOL teachers throughout the city of New York. Thanks to their
commitment, new immigrants are being given the tools they need to
build better lives for themselves and their families, continuing New
York's legacy as the city where everyone has a shot at the American
dream."
The winner and four honorees were chosen by a selection committee
comprised of distinguished ESOL instructors and advocates. They are:
- Ismael Alicea, coordinator, Office of Community Outreach
Services, The New York Public Library
- Mark Bechara, ESOL instructor
- Susan Dalmas, adult literacy program manager, Queens Library
- David Hellman, professional development coordinator, CUNY
Language Immersion and Adult Literacy Programs
- Susan O'Connor, manager, literacy programs, Brooklyn Public
Library
- Anthony Tassi, director of adult education, Office of the
Mayor
The Times will also unveil its new ESOL Web site at the awards
presentation on Feb. 22. The Web site, NYTimes.com/ESL, will feature
profiles of the teacher honorees as well as a curriculum guide for
ESOL teachers that incorporates The Times into lesson plans.
About The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company
with 2006 revenues of $3.3 billion, includes The New York Times, the
International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily
newspapers, nine network-affiliated television stations, two New York
City radio stations and 35 Web sites, including NYTimes.com,
Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance
society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news,
information and entertainment.
This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com and
www.nytimes-community.com.
CONTACT: The New York Times Company
Jennifer Pauly, 212-556-1718
paulyj@nytimes.com
SOURCE: The New York Times Company
