MARCUS A. FOSTER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AWARD

Purpose & Selection Criteria

Purpose: The Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute through its Distinguished Educator Award, honors and awards educators in the Oakland Unified School District for their distinguished record and commitment to helping students achieve their highest potential through quality and effective instruction and leadership. The Distinguished Educator Award is pat of the Institute’s Awards and Recognition program which publicly honors those individuals who have contributed to promoting standards of excellence in Oakland public schools.

Background: As Superintendent of the Oakland Public Schools, Dr. Marcus A. Foster sought to create a public education system that was supported by a team of highly committed and innovative educators who embodied the belief in the potential of every child to achieve excellence. These individuals would emerge as proven and effective educators who would inspire support for quality education in Oakland public schools. It is in this spirit that Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute annually awards educators in the Oakland public schools who personify the ideals of Dr. Foster.

Awards: Award recipients are publicly honored by the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute Board of Directors at an annual awards ceremony and receive a cash award in the amount of $ 1,000.

Eligibility: Nominees must be current or retired Oakland Unified School District educators or administrators who have been or were employed by the school district for at least three years.

Selection Criteria: Nominees will be selected by a review panel appointed by the Institute and
selected as the award recipient based upon the following criteria:

• Professional Practice: MAFEI seeks nominees who have challenged and inspired students to improve
  their academic performance using creative and innovative instructional methods. Nominees may have applied a new or existing teaching method intended to address the differentiated learning styles of students and may have inspired colleagues to replicate similar methods.

• Proven Leadership: MAFEI seeks nominees who are skilled advocates for improving the quality of education in Oakland public schools. Nominees have demonstrated the ability to generate greater parental and community engagement in the educational process to affect positive change(s) within their neighborhood school. Nominees are skillful mediators and problem-solvers who are wiling to take risks to improve the educational opportunities for young people.

• Demonstrated Commitment: MAFEI seeks nominees who believe in the capacity of all Oakland public school students to achieve their highest academic potential. Nominees are highly respected by their peers and students for their sensitivity and understanding of the diverse needs of students.

Deadline: The Institute must receive nomination application (to be completed on-line); nomination cover sheet and nominee's resume,(mailed or faxed) no later than June 29th, 2007. To obtain copies of the Distinguished Educator nomination forms, please visit the Institute’s website, www.mafei.org. For more information, please contact the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute, 510/ 835-0391.

Award Notification: Awardees and their nominators will be notified on August 6th, 2007.

DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AWARD NOMINATION FORM