SYF named its 2020 Administrator and Teacher of the Year and celebrated several Academy milestones
INDIANAPOLIS – November 9, 2020 – Simon Youth Foundation (SYF), a national nonprofit dedicated to helping students graduate, honored its 2020 Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year during its annual awards event celebrating the accomplishments of Simon Youth Academy educators.
SYF helps students on the verge of dropping out of high school graduate and pursue post-secondary education. SYF has partnered with 26 local public school districts in 15 states to open and support 42 Simon Youth Academies, alternative classroom settings located in Simon malls and the surrounding communities. The Academies offer one-on-one learning and a flexible, self-paced classroom environment. Since its inception in 1998, SYF has helped nearly 22,000 students graduate high school and awarded $19 million in post-secondary scholarships.
Each year, SYF recognizes its educators for the impact they have made on their students, Academies and greater communities through its National Administrator and Teacher of the Year Awards.
The 2020 Administrator of the Year is Dr. Angela Harding, Principal at Simon Youth Coast High School Academy in Huntington Beach, Calif. Dr. Harding is a caring, inspiring, encouraging leader. Her extensive experience in education, love of learning, and deep commitment to her students and staff all contribute to her skilled leadership. Dr. Harding actively works to create and maintain a strong and dynamic team that together supports student success. Her introduction of the positive psychology coaching, Burn-In Mindset, and the implementation of a strengths-based school culture have been tremendous gifts to her Academy students and staff. Through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Harding’s staff found comfort in her leadership, and say she went the extra mile to ensure they knew their hard work was noticed and appreciated.
Additional nominees for SYF’s 2020 Administrator of the Year included:
- Diego Linares, Simon Youth Academy at Martha Raines High School in Katy, Texas.
- Leigh Miller, Simon Youth Academy at Towne East Square in Wichita, Kan.
- Amber Palmer, Simon Youth Judson Learning Academy at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio, Texas.
The 2020 Teacher of the Year is Marcia Southern from Simon Youth Kelley Academy at Lincoln Park Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Southern is known for holding her students to a high academic standard. She knows that if you set high expectations for students, they will rise to the occasion. Many students that have failed to earn an English or Social Studies credit prior to entering her classroom leave having tackled The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Beowulf. Southern has dedicated 38 years to educating the youth of Knoxville. Her nominator says that her passion for her students’ academic and social-emotional success is evident in all she does. From tailoring instruction to meet each student’s needs, to exposing students to the knowledge they need to be successful, to caring for the students as individuals, Southern is truly a world-class educator.
Garth Trusler, math teacher at Simon Youth Academy at Old Cockrill in Nashville, Tenn. was also nominated for SYF’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.
In addition to the educators that were honored, several Simon Youth Academies celebrated milestone anniversaries of helping students graduate:
- Simon Youth Academy at Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis, Ind., celebrated five years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy Ida B. Wells School for Social Justice in Seattle, Wash., celebrated five years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy at Seattle University in Seattle, Wash., celebrated five years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy at Northshore Mall in Peabody, Mass. celebrated 10 years of service.
- Simon Youth Kelley Academy at Lincoln Park Center in Knoxville, Tenn. celebrated 10 years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy at Port Charlotte Town Center in Port Charlotte, Fla., celebrated 20 years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy at Towne East Square in Wichita, Kan., celebrated 20 years of service.
- Simon Youth Academy at Independence Center in Independence, Mo., celebrated 20 years of service.
- Simon Youth Mahoning County Academy in Youngstown, Ohio, celebrated 20 years of service.
SYF also recognized 20 of its 42 Simon Youth Academies for achieving a 100% graduation rate for the 2019-20 academic year. Collectively, Simon Youth Academies graduated students at an impressive 98% cumulative graduation rate. This accomplishment is especially significant given that the majority of Simon Youth Academy students had either dropped out or were on the verge of dropping out of high school previously, and many have been employed as essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For more information on Simon Youth Foundation and its 42 nationwide Academies, please visit syf.org.
About Simon Youth Foundation
Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a national nonprofit committed to helping students reach graduation day. SYF works toward this mission by partnering with local public school districts to launch Simon Youth Academies, alternative classroom settings located primarily in Simon Malls, and by providing Simon Youth Scholarships to Academy graduates and students who live near Simon Malls. Since its inception, SYF has maintained a 90 percent graduation rate at its 42 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, helping nearly 22,000 students earn their high school diplomas, and has awarded $19 million in scholarships. Visit syf.org to learn more.
