Celebrating the Marci Resnick Teacher Fund
by Rita Sorrentino
For the past six years, the family, friends, and colleagues of Marci Resnick have gathered at the Philadelphia Writing Project to honor her memory by doing what she loved best – supporting teachers in reflecting on their practices, initiating and sustaining classroom projects that support literacy learning, and advocating for social justice to improve the lives of children.
Marci Resnick was a dedicated elementary teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, and a teacher educator with both the Philadelphia Writing Project and the National Writing Project. When she passed away from lung cancer in 2007, the Marci Resnick Teacher Fund was established to continue her life’s work of improving teaching and learning experiences in urban classrooms. Each year selected teachers receive $500.00 to enhance their teaching practices and provide extended learning activities for their students. In this era of doomsday budgets, the grants provide a haven of hope and possibility. The Philadelphia Writing Project supports the professional develop of teachers and continues to seek grants to fund this important mission.
At this year’s celebration, Dina Portnoy welcomed guests and reminded us of Marci’s magnanimous spirit. Last year’s winners treated us to their amazing projects. Sam Reed from the Beeber Middle School got everyone enthused with Live Scribe pens and how he uses technology to engage writers, especially middle school boys. Rebecca Horner from Solis-Cohen Elementary shared her “Books for Breakfast,” a multilingual family literacy program to support cultural connections and literacy learning with parents, students, and staff.
Marci’s husband Steve and their sons David and Daniel presented the grants to the 2013 awardees whose projects focused on using literacy skills for cultural awareness, debating teams, and writing clubs. Their presence and commentary transformed our gathering of educators to a vision of 21 Century teaching and learning. They appreciated how the grants are giving students early exposure to critical thinking and preparing them for the future by developing confidence, leadership and public voice – ingredients for responsible citizenship.
Haley Harrison from Samuel B. Huey Elementary School is using her grant to continue developing debating teams at Huey school. Several team members from Huey were in attendance and they proudly showcased their skills and their medals. Harrison’s award was in partnership with PhilaSoup, a social gathering of educators that funds projects for classrooms at their monthly micro-grant dinners.
Delilah P. Baines Washington from Francis Scott Key Elementary School is educating staff and students about the different cultures in their school community. She will be doing training for parents to help them keep children involved in summer literacy activities. In the fall, they will be doing self-portraits with written commentary to boost confidence and help others learn about who they are.
The students in Lisa Hantman’s third grade class at the McCall Elementary School will continue their service learning projects. Each year they take on a local or global issue, do the research and take action. What a positive learning experience for our future leaders!
Connie Henkel from Samuel Gompers Elementary School will be using her grant to start a Writers’ Hangout to give first and second grade students an opportunity to explore many types of writing both in traditional and digital environments. Students will have opportunities to stretch their writing ability with new genres and new forms of composing and sharing.
These projects certainly further Marci’s lifelong work as a teacher who loved giving students voice and choice a in the classroom and as a teacher educator who had the ability to ask question, identify needs in and out of school, and taking first steps toward problem solving and possibilities.
I enjoyed the wonderful evening with PhilWP family and friends. As a past recipient, I intend to honor Marcie’s spirit by contributing to the fund. Donations can be sent to the Marci Resnick Teacher Fund, c/o Philadelphia Writing Project, 4201 Spruce Street, Building 1921, Philadelphia, PA 19104. For more information, call 215-898-1919.
Rita Sorrentino is the technology teacher at Overbrook Elementary. Rita joined the Philadelphia Writing Project in 1994 as a teacher consultant. Rita serves on the PhilWP Journal editorial review board.