On January 21, we held our annual "Teacher as Hero" Awards sponsored by State Farm®. Typically, this award recognizes individual heroism, but one of this year's awards went to a TEAM of educators.

Heroes never work in isolation.  All of us depend on others for support and encouragement.  It’s very rare, though, to see two heroes who complement one another so well, and who work to sustain each other through their shared efforts.  These two educators both serve communities in West Philadelphia. Ms. Breese teaches tenth through twelfth grades at Overbrook High School, and Mr. Reed teaches sixth grade at Beeber Middle School.

Although they are both busy serving the academic and emotional needs of their students, they commit their free time to professional growth, attending Teacher Institutes at places like Yale and the University of Pennsylvania.  Their hard work and perseverance does not go unnoticed.  The American Federation of Teachers selected Bonnee to discuss education reform with President Obama at a Town Hall meeting.  Samuel has raised over $50,000 in grants to teach students about their own cultural heritages, and about the cultural diversity of the world.  Improving education has been their mission, which is why they work so hard to expand the horizons of their students and to elevate the professional development of their peers.

Bonnee and Samuel have approached school reform on two fronts, working to change their institutions while also working to improve themselves.  Their dedication and selflessness are why we awarded them both the title of "Teacher as Hero."  They remind us that there is still much work to be done, and that we achieve our goals faster when we all work together.

Congratulations to this dynamic duo, and if you would like to see more of this year's "Teacher as Hero" Award winners, come visit us at the National Liberty Museum.