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- Honoring Four Outstanding Leaders in the Field of Early Childhood Education - BOSTON (March 26, 2009) -- The Urban College of Boston (UCB) will host its Third Annual Early Childhood Education Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 3, 2009 at Courtyard by Marriot Boston Tremont. First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick and First Lady of Boston Angela Menino will serve as the luncheon Honorary Co-Chairs. The luncheon will honor those who have made outstanding contributions in the field of early childhood education and development. At the Luncheon, UCB President Dr. Linda Edmonds Turner will present the Outstanding Educator Award to Dr. Louis Casagrande, President of the Boston Children's Museum. Dr. Casagrande joined the Boston Children's museum in 1994 bringing with him over 20 years of museum experience. He is a Barr Foundation Fellow who has developed innovative collaborations among communities, including The Teacher Leadership Center. He also expanded the museum's Early Childhood Center. Dr. Casagrande has served on boards for the Citizen Schools, The Boston Foundation, The Irish Children's Museum, and other civic organizations. He is the author of numerous publications in anthropology and museum studies. Dr. Turner will present the Outstanding Advocate Award to Marta Rosa, Senior Director of Government affairs, Wheelock College, where she works closely with public, private and community-based organizations to develop policy-related initiatives and innovative programs that positively impact children in the Commonwealth. Other honorees will include Dr. John Strucker, Project Manager and Researcher in Adult Literacy, who will receive the Pioneer Award. Dr. Strucker has dedicated over thirty years of his career to the field of adult literacy and reading and is recognized as one of the country's most highly influential leaders in the field. The Emerging Leader Award will go to UCB graduates Elizabeth Rodriguez '04 and Gladys Ruiz '03, sisters and owners of The Little Children School House in Brookline Village. Both natives of Peru, Elizabeth and Gladys have over ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education and they are leaders in the early childhood community. They give back to Urban College through their business pledge in monetary ways. A new award this year is the Volunteer Excellence Award, which will go to Mary Wong, Social Service Assistant, Head Start and Children's Services, ABCD, Inc. Mary has an abundant willingness to help others and is well known among ABCD and the Urban College community. Her close connection with the Asian community has helped her recruit many students for Urban College Early Childhood courses, which are taught in Mandarin and Cantonese. Welcome remarks will be made by UCB President Turner and Mistress of Ceremonies Karen Holmes-Ward, Host, of CityLine, weekly magazine on WCVB-TV Channel 5, who will also preside over a live auction. The luncheon will precede with the Early Childhood Education conference titled "A World in Transition: Intention, Inclusion and Ideals for Vision" on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Over one hundred of UCB's early child care professionals are expected to attend The Courtyard by Marriot Boston Tremont for a full day of dialogue and discussions, featuring Dr. Sherri Killins, Commissioner, Department of Early Education and Care. The conference will run from 9:00 am. to 2:30 pm at the Courtyard by Marriot Boston Tremont. Sponsors of this year's event include TD Banknorth, Citizens Bank, Bank of America, Tufts Health Plan, Suffolk University, KPMG, Bright Horizons, the Druker Company, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. and news media El Mundo and Metro News. The Urban College of Boston (www.urbancollege.edu) is a private two-year college, celebrating its 15th year anniversary. The college offers Associate degrees in Early Childhood Education, General Studies and Human Services Administration, as well as certificates, courses taught in a variety of languages, and other career-focused programs. UCB is recognized as a national model in providing a unique and differentiated curriculum, support services and access to higher educational opportunities, which fit the extraordinary demands of many Boston residents. Media Contact :
Tina Cabral
Tel : 617-348-6325
Web : www.urbancollege.edu
Urban College of Boston
178 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02111 |
