WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 27, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Surrounded by his students and fellow faculty at Bancroft Elementary School, adult education teacher Mark Faloni was today named the 2006 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year. Presented by Toyota and the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), this national award recognizes family literacy educators who have excelled in helping students achieve their academic, personal and professional goals.
As the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year, Faloni will receive a trip to NCFL's annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky in March, and his program at Bancroft will receive a $5,000 grant.
Mr. Faloni was chosen by a panel of family literacy specialists at NCFL who reviewed nominations for high-performing teachers from across the United States. An educator in the District of Columbia's Public School System for more than 20 years, Faloni stood out due to his success in designing curriculums that not only motivate at-risk students to learn, but also encourage them to work together. His students consistently attend classes, and his retention rate is among the highest of NCFL's programs for Hispanic and other immigrant families. During the 2004-2005 school year, the majority of his students improved their test scores in English as a Second Language (ESL).
But Faloni's work with students extends beyond the classroom, and has included support for parents pursuing new employment opportunities. He also assisted a student in placing their child into a local Head Start Program, and has helped others in need of social services support.
"As educators, we're continually looking for ways to reach beyond the classroom and impact our students' lives," noted Mr. Faloni. "As these parents improve their own literacy levels, they open up economic opportunities for themselves and are better prepared to help their children academically."
Faloni's ESL program at Bancroft (in partnership with the Mary's Center) is supported by NCFL's multi-cultural family literacy initiative, combining ESL courses, early childhood education, parenting education, Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities, and computer literacy instruction.
"The Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award recognizes teachers who often are the unsung heroes of our society and who now, more than ever, have the daunting challenge of positioning children and families to succeed," said NCFL founder and president Sharon Darling.
Pat Pineda, group vice president at Toyota Motor North America, added, "Through his teaching and the special attention that he gives students and parents, Mark Faloni has shaped the lives of hundreds of immigrant families in the Washington, DC area. He has created an environment where students are motivated to learn and parents become full partners in their children's education. We are proud to honor him as the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year."
Toyota and NCFL also recognize the following Teacher of the Year runners-up, who will receive free registration to the conference and a $500 scholarship towards travel expenses: Kay Brown, Northeast Louisiana Regional Even Start Consortium, Monroe, LA; John Fullen, Blackwater Community School Family and Child Education Program, Coolidge, AZ; and Steven Jason Tetreault, Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center, Providence Public Schools, Providence, RI.
ABOUT NCFL
NCFL was established by Sharon Darling in 1989 with a grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. Since 1989, the National Center for Family Literacy has pioneered educational initiatives that open pathways to continuous life improvement for the nation's most at-risk children and families. Working with family literacy programs and practitioners in schools and communities across the nation, NCFL has helped thousands break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and low literacy and move forward to become stronger and more self-sufficient. To learn more or to donate to this effort, call 1-877-FAMLIT or visit www.famlit.org.
ABOUT TOYOTA
Since 1991, Toyota and the National Center for Family Literacy have forged successful programs to promote family literacy in the United States. Toyota has contributed more than $23 million to help NCFL establish family literacy model programs throughout the country. Today, the Toyota/NCFL partnership accounts for over 196 family literacy sites in 33 cities and 24 states. As part of this partnership, the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award has been presented annually since 1997 and recognizes individual teachers' contributions to improving literacy among youth and adults. Additional information on Toyota's commitment to improving education nationwide is available at www.toyota.com/about/community/education/.