Although I dribbled a little basketball with neighborhood friends, I never played organized sports and I never won a trophy. Back in the day, there weren’t that many opportunities for girls participating in sports. I pursued other interests. No regrets!

Fast forward! Winning a trophy for the first time became a reality last evening at my retirement celebration. How surprised and humbled I was when Robert Karl, from the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Educational Technology, presented me with a beautiful "Excellence in Podcasting" trophy in recognition of using this form of digital publication and communication with students.  Engaging in this work has been a joy for me. Robert Karl, fondly know as the “podfather,” spearheaded this initiative and has kept it going with his expertise and encouragement. Thank you, Robert, for guiding me in this digital direction to celebrate the voices, interests and talents of my students.

I am grateful that the School District’s Office of Educational Technology continues to offer training and support for using this tool. Podcasting provides students with an opportunity to not only develop literacy skills of reading, writing speaking and listening, but also to enhance their technology skills as they put the pieces together. Researching topics, writing scripts, practicing narration, and selecting pictures and music require decision-making skills, which prepare them for responsible digital citizenship. With the approval of principals (Michele Hayes-Flores and Kathleen McCladdie) and the enthusiasm of students and staff, Overbrook Elementary School produced around 100 episodes posted on the School District of Philadelphia’s  Server since 2006.

For the next two weeks, I will proudly display my trophy in the computer lab so students will know they are the reason for this accomplishment. On June 24th my beautiful trophy will find a place of honor in my home to remind me that my teaching life has been blessed with many opportunities, wonderful colleagues, ongoing learning experiences, and now cherished memories. Then I will begin to “pay it forward” as new avenues and new opportunities unfold in the life of a retiree.

On Monday June 3,  I attended the Marci Resnick Teacher Fund Award Ceremony at the Philadelphia Writing Project. Each year selected teachers receive $500.00 to enhance their teaching practices and provide extended learning activities for their students.

Dian Portnoy welcomed guests from the National Writing Project and Marci’s family who were there to both honor Marci’s memory and attest to the legacy of her commitment to public education.  Her role in supporting teachers and lobbying for social justice especially in our public schools rang out loud and clear throughout the evening.

Last year’s winners treated us to their amazing projects. Sam Reed from the Beeber Middle School got everyone enthused with Live Scribe pens and how he uses technology to engage writers, especially middle school boys. Rebecca Horner from Solis-Cohen Elementary shared her “Books for Breakfast,” a multilingual family literacy program to support cultural connections and literacy learning with parents, students, and staff.

Marci’s husband Steve and sons David and Daniel presented the grants to the 2013 awardees whose projects focused on using literacy skills for cultural awareness, debating teams, and writing clubs.

·      Haley Harrison from Samuel B. Huey Elementary School is using her grant to continue developing debating teams at Huey school. Several team members from Huey were in attendance and they proudly showcased theirs kills and their medals. Harrison’s award was in partnership with PhilaSoup, a social gathering of educators that funds projects for classrooms at their monthly micro-grant dinners.  

·      Delilah P. Baines Washington from Francis Scott Key Elementary School is educating staff and students about the different cultures in their school community.  She will be doing training for parents to help them keep children involved in summer literacy activities. In the fall, they will be doing self-portraits with written commentary to boost confidence and help others learn about who they are.

·      The students in Lisa Hantman’s third grade class at the McCall Elementary School will continue their service learning projects. Each year they take on a local or global issue, do the research and take action. What a positive learning experience for our future leaders!

·      Connie Henkel from Samuel Gompers Elementary School will be using her grant to start a Writers’ Hangout to give her first grade students opportunities to explore many types of writing both in traditional and digital environments.  Students will have opportunities to stretch their writing ability with new genres and new forms of composing and sharing.

The presence and commentary from Marci’s husband and sons transformed our gathering of educators to a vision of 21 Century teaching and learning. They appreciated how the grants are giving students early exposure to critical thinking and preparing them for the future by developing confidence, leadership and public voice – ingredients for responsible citizenship.

In this era of doomsday budgets, the grants provide a haven of hope and possibility. The Philadelphia Writing Project supports the professional develop of teachers and continues to seek grants to fund this important mission.

I enjoyed the wonderful evening with PhilWP family and friends. As a past recipient, I intend to honor Marcie’s spirit by contributing to the fund. Donations can be sent to the Marci Resnick Teacher Fund, c/o Philadelphia Writing Project, 4201 Spruce Street, Building 1921, Philadelphia, PA 19104. For more information, call 215-898-1919.