(May 9, 2014) -- Freedom Credit Union and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU), along with guest speaker and NBC10 reporter Matt DeLucia, recognized exemplary educators in Montgomery County with the Voices of Inspiration Awards for Teaching Excellence, on May 7, 2014 at a special reception and ceremony.
Twenty-three Finalists — one from each of the twenty-one Montgomery County school districts, one from a nonpublic school in the county, and one from the MCIU— were honored at the ceremony, which took place at the Philadelphia Marriott West in Conshohocken, PA. Each of the 23 Finalists was awarded with a commemorative plaque, and a $500 award was given to three Grand-Prize Winners: Ellen Strange (Abington School District), Holly Parkhouse Smith (Spring-Ford School District) and Todd Kelly (Pottsgrove School District). Additionally, Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School received a $500 award for submitting the most nominations of all schools in Montgomery County.
Voices of Inspiration, initiated in 2007, received an enthusiastic response this year with 609 nominations for more than 300 teachers and the participation of all districts. Freedom Credit Union is committed to improving communities through financial education, and the Voices of Inspiration program is one important way to honor that commitment.
“Freedom is proud to recognize this well-deserving group of educators as true voices of inspiration,” said Freedom Credit Union President and CEO Lee T. MacMinn. “We are happy that this program continues to receive such a warm response and great participation from the Montgomery County school districts.”
Approximately 120 educators, superintendents, family members, and other supporters attended the event to commend the awardees on their superior commitment to teaching.
“The outstanding teachers recognized at the eighth annual Voices of Inspiration Awards are certainly an inspiration,” said Dr. Bradley C. Landis, MCIU Substitute Executive Director. “The MCIU is pleased to continue its partnership with Freedom Credit Union to celebrate the dedication of educators in our schools.”
For more information about Voices of Inspiration and to view a list of the 2014 Finalists, please visit http://www.freedomcu.org/about-us/voices-of-inspiration.html.
2014 Voices of Inspiration Finalists
Top Row, from left: John Williamson, Upper Perkiomen School District; Daniel Ortiz, Upper Dublin School District; Pamela Merenda, Hatboro-Horsham School District; John Grande, Upper Moreland School District; Anita Morgan, Methacton School District; Rebecca Brenner, Lower Merion School District; Lisa Furness, Colonial School District; Matthew Montagna, Souderton Area School District; Thomas Di Giulio, School District of Cheltenham; Todd Kelly, Pottsgrove School District; Holly Parkhouse Smith, Spring-Ford School District
Bottom row, from left: Jaime Maffei, Norristown Area School District; Dianne Krause, Wissahickon School District; Sharon Ferrebee; Joan Schwarz, Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School; Matthew Klenk, North Penn School District; Kristen Sharer, School District of Springfield Township; Carol Ganther Lusignea, Lower Moreland Township School District; Joanne Riehl, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit; Tamara Craven, School District of Jenkintown; Ellen Strange, Abington School District; Laura Ebersole, Upper Merion Area School District
Not pictured: Helen Bowers, Pottstown School District