Other Lindback Award Honorees

The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation is honoring seven Philadelphia School District principals with its Distinguished Principal Award.

This is the first year for the award, which recognizes and rewards principals who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to students, staff, and the community.

The foundation, which is known for its awards for excellent university teaching, also honors exemplary district teachers. Those winners will be announced May 10.

The principals will be honored Wednesday during a ceremony in the Prince Music Theater. Each will receive a $10,000 prize. In addition to Sheldon S. Pavel, principal of Central High School, the winners are the following six principals.

The following information was drawn by the district from each winner's nominating letter:

Yolanda B. Armstrong

Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St.

Yolanda B. Armstrong first made her mark as a health teacher and science teacher before becoming assistant principal at Carnell Elementary School. As principal at Pepper Middle School since 2005, Armstrong has spearheaded a "body, mind and spirit" approach. The school staff and students tend flower and vegetable gardens with the assistance of Southwest Senior Farmers. They also make learning come alive with hundreds of computers donated to students' families by Computers for Youth and enjoy a school environment made more pleasant through their principal's tenacious efforts. Armstrong intends to designate her award stipend for the creation of a choir program and to purchase handheld wireless clickers that students will use to record their opinions and respond to teacher questions.

Charles Connor

Decatur Elementary School, 3500 Academy Rd.

Charles Connor began his district career as a teacher at Willard Elementary School. Later, he served as administrative assistant at three schools before being appointed principal at Arthur Elementary School. Since Connor came to Decatur, the school has made "adequate yearly progress" for the last six years. It also received the 2008-09 Pennsylvania Title 1 Academic Achievement Award for gains by Hispanic students and English language learners and was named a Pennsylvania Distinguished Title 1 School in 2009. Decatur has one of the district's highest student-to-computer ratios . Noting that the school's "growth in this area is not complete," Connor said his award will enable the school to purchase additional laptop classroom carts.

Patricia A. Epps

Forrest Elementary School, 7300 Cottage St.

Patricia A. Epps stepped into the profession as a per diem teacher and later became a science teacher and assistant principal at Sullivan Elementary School. Epps was appointed principal of Forrest Elementary School three days before the opening of the 2004-05 school year and rose to the occasion. During her tenure, robust programs in arts and physical education benefited all students. Under Epps' guidance, many young men and women have done their practicum course work, student teaching, or literacy internships at the school. She has also trained six principal interns. Epps plans to use her stipend for an exterior electronic bulletin board at the school, and iPads "to keep students current with the latest technology."

David M. Kipphut

Swenson Arts and Technology High School, 2750 Red Lion Rd.

Before becoming principal at Swenson Arts and Technology High School, David M. Kipphut served in the leadership role at his alma mater, Lincoln High School, and as a career and technical-education teacher. As Swenson's principal, Kipphut also supervises the school's campus at Fox Chase Farm, which is run jointly with the Fairmount Park Commission. Over the years, Kipphut has consistently championed opportunities to expand his students' horizons. Swenson has established a relationship with a secondary school in Torun, Poland, with the American and Polish students and staff taking turns visiting each other's school and homeland in alternate years. The Swenson building does not have any athletic facilities or a gym. Therefore, Kipphut's award stipend will help furnish a range of fitness equipment.

Charles S. Staniskis

Franklin Learning Center, 616 N. 15th St.

Charles S. Staniskis, a former district science teacher and assistant principal of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, is cofounder of the Franklin Learning Center (FLC). Under his leadership, the FLC has been designated a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 1993 and 2010, and Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School in 1993 and 1998. In addition to the state's mandatory graduation requirements, each FLC student is expected to complete 24 hours of service to school or community each year. Staniskis is donating his award toward the training of students and staff in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The goal is that each will become CPR- and AED-certified. Other contributions will come from the school, and through the assistance of the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Darlene F. Vaughn

Stearne Elementary School, 1655 Unity St.

Before becoming principal of Stearne Elementary in 2006, Darlene F. Vaughn served as a teacher, a small learning community coordinator, and a district teaching coach. She is known for encouraging self-development and growth by her staff. She has worked with them as grade chair, committee leader, and leadership team member. The school now offers parents a GED program. They are also welcome to use the school's computers to look for an apartment or a job, or to obtain information to steer them through life's daily challenges. Vaughn plans to use her Lindback stipend to purchase musical instruments and choir gowns to expand the school's choral and instrumental music program.