3 ISTA members recognized by United Way of Central Indiana
05/19/2016

Marleen Signer, an ISTA member at the McFarland School, was one of four teachers named a Hubbard Life-Changing Teacher by the United Way of Central Indiana. ISTA members Para Lee Gale at Charles Warren Fairbanks School 105 and Rebecca Pfaffenberger at Rousseau McClellan School 91 were award finalists.

The Hubbard Life-Changing Teacher award recognizes the work of Indianapolis Public Schools’ (IPS) teachers. Each teacher was nominated by a colleague, student, administrator or parent. Nominees must be fulltime IPS employees and both classroom and non-classroom teachers are eligible. Of the 10 finalists, three were ISTA members.

“Finalists were chosen based on their instructional excellence, student achievement results and how they made a positive impact on their students’ lives,” said Jessica DiSanto, director of communications for United Way of Central Indiana.

As an award winner, a video tribute to Signer was presented at the awards ceremony.Signer’s student Raquel Perez said of Signer, “She is devoted to all of us in the classroom. She gives me inspiration to keep dreaming and to work so I can reach my goals. I have learned the confidence I need to move on to new things in a new place next year [after graduation], with new people and the adult world.”

Each finalist was recognized for their specific contributions to their students’ lives and inspiring the pursuit of education.

Quotations from the finalists’ nomination forms were read at the ceremony:

Para [Gale] teaches with such a love and a passion for music that it captures every student’s attention and participation. Students who struggle or fear math walk away from her [Pfaffenberger] class with a better understanding and a genuine love for math.

ISTA is proud to have such effective, inspirational teachers in its ranks. Congratulations to Signer for your honor and the two finalists, Gale and Pfaffenberger.

Finalists received $1,000 each, and four winners received $25,000 each.