Eric Schwarz Leadership Award
To recognize & honor outstanding leadership skills and entrepreneurial vision for life after service while exemplifying all Citizen Schools’ values of Confidence, Curiosity, DEI, Perseverance, and Teamwork.
The Eric Schwarz Leadership Award will be presented annually to four Maker Fellows. The awardees will receive a modest scholarship and mentorship with Eric.
The Eric Schwarz Leadership Award was established by the Citizen Schools National Board of Directors to recognize Eric’s 20 years of service as a visionary founder, compassionate entrepreneur, and respected leader.
Eric is the co-founder and former CEO of Citizen Schools. Eric is now on the Citizen Schools National Board. Since leaving Citizen Schools, Eric co-founded the College for Social Innovation.
2022 Winners
KATHLEEN “KATE” BILSE
AmeriCorps Maker Fellow, Ventura County Office of Education (CA)
“Kate's work and orientation affirm our values. Kate has demonstrated confidence in identifying and carrying through a project that contributes to resources for the vital planetary discussion of environmental climate change. Kate consistently discusses DEI in both her own learning journey and the need to see the goals of DEI in education resources, training, and practice.”
JORDAN CLAYTON
AmeriCorps Maker Fellow, University of DC (DC)
“Jordan moves with confidence but exhibits a growth mindset. All of what he has undertaken within his work at UDC focuses on developing and improving engaging hands-on learning experiences that build confidence and expand horizons. His approach to our ever-changing, demanding work environment always includes attention to the Citizen Schools values.”
MAGGIE CRUM
AmeriCorps Maker Fellow, Northern Kentucky Makerspace (KY)
“Maggie has been an incredible contributor to the MMN program, her host site, and our fellowship community. Maggie exudes our core competencies and brings tremendous value and leadership to her host site. She has grown personally and professionally in our program and I am confident that her time in our program will yield a successful contributor to her community and the field of maker education.”
WILLIAM LINDAU
AmeriCorps Maker Fellow, BoSTEM (MA)
“The leadership skills I’ve acquired from Citizen Schools will be pivotal in making decisions to protect ecosystems, engage key stakeholders, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and more. Additionally, a strong entrepreneurial vision will be key for global collaboration in conservation. Without a clear, specific, and dynamic vision, we would be powerless against the driving forces of climate change. Every lesson I’ve learned through my service as an AmeriCorps Maker Fellow has helped me grow into an individual who will always carry the spirit of Citizen Schools through every venture, trial, and triumph of my life.”
+ Previous Winners
2021 — Lucy Billings, Alexa "Lex" Rose, Hassan Russell, Nicole Shuman
2020 — Erica Yoon, Maria Navarro, Ricky Thompson
2019 — Ben White, Barbara Lindor, Iris Restrepo
2018 — Chautel Wilson, James Jones
2017 — Paige Clark, Karen Ojeda
2016 — Isadora Alteon, Anthony Thompson
2015 — Catherine Wright, Malcolm Morse
Previously, the Eric Schwarz Leadership Award was given each year to two second year Teaching Fellows for overall excellence in their two years of service. The Teaching Fellows selected had outstanding leadership skills and exemplified the values of pride, joy, respect, courage, teamwork, vision and perseverance that Eric instilled in the organization. The Eric Schwarz Leadership Award recipients benefited through the prestige of the award, one on one time with Eric as well as a modest scholarship.
Sherif Nada Legacy Award
To recognize & honor exemplary leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion with clear positive impacts in areas as a result of these efforts.
The Sherif Nada Legacy Award will be presented annually to one staff member. The awardee will receive an additional $500 towards their professional development allowance for the following fiscal year.
The Sherif Nada Legacy Award was established by Citizen Schools in 2008 to honor Sherif Nada’s leadership role as chair of Citizen Schools’ National Board from 2001–2006.
Sherif Nada served as the chair of Citizen Schools’ National Board from 2001–2006. Before retiring, Sherif was the President of Fidelity Brokerage Group.
2022 WINNER
MICHELLE CARTER
Vice President, Talent, People & Culture
“Michelle has invested countless hours over the course of this year pushing forward with policy redesign focused on equity, on dismantling white supremacy practices, and leading through matters in alignment with our values, practices, and restorative mindset. She has been and continues to be a leader in designing and implementing equitable practices and approaches at CS that center the individual, while balancing the needs of the organization.”
+ Previous Winners
2021 — Rayna Moore
2020 — Yara Da Silva, Nayely Peña
2019 — Ceili Lemus, Jose Melo
2018 — Samantha Little, Linnette Peralta
2017 — Carlos Barbosa, Yorgelis Willians
2016 — Elineidy Martinez, Austin Wyllie
2015 — Vidya Ganga, Giang Le
2014 — Florantine Joseph, Yaritza Sanchez
2013 — David Gonzalez, Kevin Martinez
2012 — Gina Alvarado, Smucker Almonord
2011 — Roobvia Bernadin, Shawn Moore
2010 — Naomie Cazeau, Tony Chen
2009 — De’na Johnson, Keith Nolan
2008 — Akiyah Francis-John, Carlos Barbosa
2007 — Shellice Baker, MacCalvin Romain
2006 — Ramona Coleman, Marvin Balan
Previously, two Citizen Schools alumni in Massachusetts who are seniors in high school were selected as recipients of the Sherif Nada Legacy Award. Academic success, leadership skills and commitment to community service—which are traits exemplified by Sherif Nada—were among the criteria used in the selection of the winners. The recipients received a $1,000 scholarship to use towards covering first-year college expenses. Winners of the award also received guidance and advice from Sherif Nada and his wife Mary Nada who have helped past winners find internships and jobs.
Tulaine Montgomery Village Builder Award
To recognize & honor those who demonstrate exceptional village building, acting as a bridge or connector for staff, students, and the community.
The Tulaine Montgomery Village Builder Award will be presented annually to one staff member. The awardee will receive an additional $500 towards their professional development allowance for the following fiscal year.
Tulaine was a founding staff member at Citizen Schools. Tulaine is the Managing Director and member of the Executive Team at New Profit.
2022 WINNER
MEREDITH ADAMCZYK
Director, Marketing
“I'm nominating Meredith for this award because of the ways she brings people together in her work and in her relationships with others. Her work engages internal and external audiences. She listens for feedback and encourages folks to share it. She adapts in ways that create space for others. She takes ownership of content development that invites others to see themselves and to contribute. Meredith brings people together to move the work forward and that feels central to village-building.”
+ Previous Winners
2021 — Brandi Jimenez
2020 — Haifa Yousafzai, Seung Lee
2019 — Veronica Onyejekwe, Mallory Haeflich
2018 — Zoe Pilla, Yoelinson Castillo, Michelle Carter, Sarah Brown
2017 — Sheree West, Nadia K. Selby, Chi Vo
2016 — Angie Jaimez
2015 — Tamara Osivwemu
2014 — Krista Purnell
2013 — Katie (Brown) Rothschild
2012 — Samantha Alcala
2011 — Elizabeth Leiwant
2010 — Nadia K. Selby
2009 — Jessica Graham
2008 — Moriska Selby
2007 — Eric Whitney
2006 — Leanne Valenti
Andrew Balson Innovation Award
To recognize & honor the eminence in service of a Catalyst educator. The Andrew Balson Innovation Award is awarded to a Catalyst educator that embodies the mindset that equity begins with opportunity.
The Andrew Balson Innovation Award will be presented annually to one Catalyst educator. The awardee will receive a $1000 stipend towards their professional development.
Citizen Schools established the Andrew Balson Leadership Award in 2014 to honor Andrew Balson’s role as Chair of the organization’s National Board of Directors from 2006 to 2014.
2022 Winner
MICHAEL COUGHLIN
Catalyst Educator, Somerville, MA
“Michael's participation as a Catalyst educator has exemplified a growth mindset. He is always eager to draw out the best qualities in our mentors, which stimulates their creativity, vigor, and commitment to this program and the students. Michael exemplifies confidence, perseverance, and above all curiosity. Michael has truly demonstrated that equity begins with opportunity. He did more than just participate in the program, he soaked up all of the resources we've afforded him and he is using it to create change in his classroom.”
+ Previous Winners
2020 — Kayshnie Deriphonse, Deni Martin
2019 — Isaiah Bascombe, Zakaria Brown
2018 — Maria Barbosa, Desayna Christmas
2017 — Benjamin Erazo, Hadear Rizq
2016 — Amarlyn Perez, Katherine Then
2015 — Gilson Dosouto, Yodit Tadesse
The Andrew Balson Leadership Award previously recognized two eighth graders who have excelled in Citizen Schools’ 8th Grade Academy program. In this crucial year—when students apply to and select a high school from among Boston’s vast range of options—the 8th Grade Academy program reinforces core academic skills, develops character strengths, and fosters positive mentor and peer relationships. Citizen Schools’ Teaching Fellows, who work closely with eighth graders throughout the academic year, selected the award recipients based on leadership, teamwork, perseverance, respect and joy which are all traits that Andrew exemplifies. Recipients received a $250 gift card.