On May 2, 2011, DC Public Education Fund launched the Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign, to engage the DC community in expressing support for DC’s great teachers. All too often, the dedicated work of DC teachers goes unrecognized. This year, the DC Public Education Fund is working with area partners to make sure that our teachers feel appreciated and recognized for all that they do.

“Great teachers are the key to student success,” said Cate Swinburn, President of the Education Fund, “It is important that we demonstrate our support for the tremendous efforts they make every day in helping our children achieve academic success.”

The Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign is part of the Education Fund’s larger mission to help transform DC Public Schools through private philanthropy. As the only nonprofit focused on improving DC Public Schools through public-private partnerships, the Education Fund has made significant contributions to education reform initiatives in DCPS, with a particular focus on helping DCPS recruit, develop, evaluate, reward, and retain the most effective teaching force in the country.  The Fund is particularly proud of our support of and design and launch of IMPACT, DCPS' performance evaluation system for teachers.

Last year, DC Public Education Fund hosted an event to honor the teachers rated highly effective educators by IMPACT, raise significant funds for teacher development initiatives, and engage the broader community in the transformation of our schools. On Monday, November 1st, 2010, in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall we held the first A Standing Ovation for DC Teachers.  At the event, all the highly effective educators were given blue ribbons so that the rest of the audience could recognize and thank them.  This year’s Standing Ovation is scheduled for September 19, 2011, and highly effective educators will be given permanent, custom-designed blue ribbon lapel pins to commemorate the honor.  In an effort to make teacher appreciation an initiative that extends beyond one week or one special night, DC Public Education Fund has decided to kick off the lead up to Standing Ovation with the Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign.  We are asking everyone in the city to show their support of our great teachers by joining us in our campaign by wearing blue ribbons.  The launch of the Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign on May 2^nd, 2011, marks the kick off to the Standing Ovation 2011.

“Teachers provide the critical foundation that our children need to succeed,” said DCPS Acting Chancellor Kaya Henderson, “The Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign offers a wonderful opportunity for the DC community to celebrate the men and women that work hard every day to make sure that our children are prepared to excel in and out of the school yard.”

Ribbons can be picked up in DC government buildings, schools, and libraries across the city starting on May 2nd.   The Mayor, members of the city council, and area business leaders will also wear blue ribbons to demonstrate their appreciation, and community members are encouraged to do the same.

A detailed list of ribbon locations is available at www.standingovationfordcteachers.org. The Blue Ribbons for DC Teachers campaign starts on May 2^nd and will continue throughout the summer leading up to the Standing Ovation for DC Teachers event in September.

To see the BLue Ribbons for DC Teachers press release, click here:  BlueRibbonsforDCTeachers2011.pdf