Investing in Educators
Great educators create great outcomes, and at SYF, we know that supporting students means investing in adults who show up for them every day. In 2024, SYF expanded its investment in educator development, recognition, and collaboration across our network.
EDUCATOR RECOGNITION
At the heart of every student’s journey is an educator who made a difference.
Each year, SYF honors outstanding educators whose dedication, leadership, and impact reflect the very best of our mission. In 2024, four outstanding individuals were honored for their dedication to helping students thrive, both in the classroom and within their school communities.
Selected for their measurable impact on student success and their unwavering commitment to educational equity, each awardee received a $2,500 honorarium in recognition of their outstanding service.
2024 SYF Co-Teachers of the Year
Mike Bernicchi
Simon Youth Academy on Cochran, Port Charlotte, FL
Mr. Bernicchi joined Simon Youth Academy on Cochran 10 years ago as a Social Studies teacher. He quickly became an invaluable member of the school community, helping to shape and evolve the culture of the campus. He has played a key role in fundraising, community outreach, and the creation and implementation of the Pathways Program. Drawing on his military service and strong community connections, Mr. Bernicchi initially led the Workforce and Military Pathways and developed processes to ensure students had clear, actionable steps to follow after graduation. He also redeveloped partnerships with schools and community organizations to expand postsecondary opportunities for students.
Mr. Bernicchi’s dedication to his students is unmatched. He sets the tone for the entire staff, pouring his heart into his lessons and helping each student build a path toward lifelong success. He is recognized by colleagues and students alike for his self-assurance, growth mindset, intelligence, trustworthiness, humility, open-mindedness, and team-first attitude.
Mr. Bernicchi is a three-time Simon Youth Foundation Teacher of the Year nominee (2021, 2022, 2023) and has also received local recognition for his commitment to education. In 2021, he was inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, FL, honoring both his military service and his community leadership as chairman of a veterans’ nonprofit organization.
Katey Sullivan
Simon Youth Academy at Burlington, Burlington, MA
Ms. Sullivan began her teaching career 20 years ago and has spent the last 10 years at Simon Youth Academy at Burlington High School. While at Burlington, she played a key role in the development of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. She helped design the program, plan curriculum, and supported the recruitment and admission of multilingual learners. In addition, she served as the ESL, Physical Education, and Health teacher.
One of Ms. Sullivan’s greatest strengths is her ability to build strong, lasting relationships with students. They know they can count on her for support both during and after school hours. She consistently provides a safe space for students to learn, share their hopes for the future, and express the challenges they face as newcomers to the country. She prioritized not only their academic success but also their social and emotional well-being.
In recognition of her positive impact at Simon Youth Academy at Burlington, Ms. Sullivan received the Inspiration Award—an honor given to individuals who lead by example and embody one of four core values: empathy, independence, respect, or responsibility.
2024 SYF Co-Administrators of the Year
Idowu Ikudabo
Simon Youth Academy at McKinley Alternative Schools,
Kokomo, IN
Mr. Ikudabo has been with Simon Youth Academy at McKinley Alternative Schools for the past 10 years. During his tenure, he has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that students’ needs are met and that they successfully reach the milestone of graduation.
As Director, Mr. Ikudabo is known for his thoughtful leadership and ability to respond to challenges with well-reasoned solutions, particularly when supporting students and their families. His expertise and dedication have extended beyond McKinley—he frequently advises other alternative educators across Indiana, sharing his school’s mission and practices to help them support their own students’ growth.
Mr. Ikudabo has earned a reputation for helping students who may have lost hope rediscover their path to a high school diploma. He regularly provides support not only to students but to their families, offering guidance, counseling, and hands-on help across all areas of student life.
His leadership and service have been widely recognized. Mr. Ikudabo was a 2022 Administrator of the Year nominee and is a four-time North Central Conference Coach of the Year. He is also a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Non-Violence Award and the Marion Community School Board Award.
Kelley Rodkey
Simon Youth Academy at Avon, Avon, IN
Mrs. Rodkey began her career in school administration 17 years ago and has led Simon Youth Academy at Avon since its founding in 2023. From the start, she played a critical role in establishing the academy—redesigning the existing building, hiring staff, and developing academic and student support programs in close collaboration with her team. Through her vision and commitment, Mrs. Rodkey helped turn a new school into a thriving educational community.
She is a fierce advocate for both the academic and social-emotional well-being of her students. By building strong partnerships with community organizations and local agencies, Mrs. Rodkey has worked to remove barriers and create lasting opportunities for student success. Under her leadership, the Simon Youth Academy at Avon quickly became a model for other schools across Indiana and within the SYF network.
Mrs. Rodkey’s dedication has been recognized throughout her career. She was named IASP District 8 Assistant Principal of the Year in 2011 and received the Golden Apple Award at Avon High School in 2012 for her work with Student Government. She was also a finalist for the College Mentor for Kids Inspire Award in 2013 and was honored in 2018 by a student as an influential educator at Avon High School’s Top 25 Banquet.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES
In addition to honoring exceptional educators, SYF remains committed to supporting their continued growth, connection, and professional learning. In 2024, SYF offered multiple opportunities for growth, including a national virtual conference, a book club designed to foster dialogue and reflection, and the hands-on Educator Exchange Fellowship program.
National Educator Conference
In 2024, SYF hosted its’ annual National Educator Conference virtually, bringing together Academy leaders and educators from across the country for a dynamic multi-day experience. Despite the digital format, the event delivered meaningful connection, powerful development, and moments of inspiration for all who attended.
Centered around the theme “I’ll Be There For You”, inspired by the iconic Friends theme song, the conference focused on collaboration, mental health, and practical strategies for student success.
The event opened with a keynote from Ronnie Harvey, Chief Academic Officer for the Calcasieu Parish School Board in Lake Charles, Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in special services and alternative education, Mr. Harvey shared insights rooted in resilience and leadership, energizing participants with his message. Attendees also received a personalized copy of his latest book, The Playbook of Principles for Principals.
Breakout sessions allowed educators to dive into critical topics, including student behavior, community partnerships, and specialized programming for non-traditional learners. As Academy leader Kellie Rodkey shared,
“In my 31 years as an educator, SYF conferences have given me that most valuable professional development experiences of my career. Last year, I was able to learn from my peers about practical motivational programs for students and implement them upon return to my academy.”
Educator Exchange Fellowship
In addition to large-scale convenings like the Educator Conference, SYF offers more personalized growth opportunities through its Educator Exchange Fellowship program.
This initiative empowers Academy educators program empowers Simon Youth Academy educators to grow through hands-on collaboration with their peers. Through this program fellows visit other Academies across the country to observe alternative education practices, exchange ideas, and learn from other teachers, leaders, and students. These experiences foster innovation, strengthen connections, and spark new strategies to support student success. As one fellow described,
“When we talk about alternative education, we’re in the relationship business…it helps both entities, not just the person that’s visiting and learning, but also the person hosting and being able to learn and build a relationship with that person.”
For many, the program has a direct impact on classroom practice. Another educator shared,
“I learned how to create a classroom environment where students feel valued and empowered…The program highlighted the importance of collaboration among ELL teachers, bilingual assistants, and content teachers to ensure that students receive the support they need to succeed academically.”
Book Club
In 2024, SYF launched its inaugural Educator Book Club, offering a new space for thoughtful reflection and dialogue among Academy staff. Nineteen educators participated in the program’s first cohort, each receiving a free copy of the selected title: Disrupting Poverty: Five Powerful Classroom Practices by Kathleen Budge and William H. Parrett.
Participants engaged in weekly virtual discussions facilitated by Dr. Elkini Magdun of Simon Youth Academy at Options Noblesville and focused on strategies to better support students navigating poverty. These conversations sparked meaningful insights, helping educators reframe thinking around equity, meet students where they are, and exchange ideas for real-world classroom practices.
Capacity Building Grants
In addition to reflection and dialogue, SYF continues to invest in programs that turn ideas into action.
Through Capacity Building Grants, Simon Youth Academies are empowered to launch innovative programs and implement meaningful enhancements that benefit both students and educators. These grants are designed to fund resources or initiatives that directly support SYF’s mission: helping students graduate, build essential life skills, and prepare for post-secondary success.
In 2024, grant-funded projects addressed a range of needs across the network, from expanding academic enrichment opportunities to strengthening mental health and social-emotional learning supports.
At Simon Youth Academy at Northshore Mall, grant funds enabled students to participate in weekly mindfulness activities focused on social-emotional health, while freeing up the materials budget for art supplies and gym equipment. Academy leader Kevin Tanglis noted,
“These funds had a massive positive impact on the school this year.”
At Prien Lake Mall, the Academy hosted a Senior Awards Day that provided graduating students with cap and gowns, diploma covers, stoles, t-shirts, and other celebratory items. Graduates continuing on to college also received laptops to support their transition.
Meanwhile, the Academy at Old Cockrill used its grant to fund multiple college visits and incentivize students for key milestones like FAFSA completion, ACT participation, and strong attendance.
These small but strategic investments empowered educators to meet the specific needs of their schools, reinforcing that when teachers are equipped, students are too.
Simon Youth Foundation’s educator programs are made possible thanks to the generosity of donors and partners who understand that real transformation starts with the adults in the room. Every hour of training, every conversation shared, and every grant awarded reflects the belief in the power of education, and in the educators who make student success possible.
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