Citizen Schools Celebrates our 2022 Annual Awards Winners!

As we head into the thicks of summer, June always serves as a month to celebrate so many accomplishments at Citizen Schools. Whether it’s wrapping up another enlightening term for Catalyst teachers and Career Mentors, honoring the culmination of our Expanded Learning Time program, or showcasing the bright and innovative work of our AmeriCorps Maker Fellows service, this time of year truly highlights all of the memorable achievements.

In conjunction with all of these moments, we also had the opportunity to come together and celebrate the work of our dedicated staff and AmeriCorps service members with four annual awards: The Eric Schwarz Leadership Award, Sherif Nada Legacy Award, Tulaine Montgomery Village Builder Award and our newly established Andrew Balsom Innovation Award. This meaningful tradition builds on our values of confidence, curiosity, DEI, perseverance, and teamwork—and gives us the opportunity to highlight the great work of our peers.

Eric Schwarz Leadership Award

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. 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.

Kate Bilse — **KATHLEEN “KATE” BILSE**
AmeriCorps Maker Fellow, Ventura County Office of Education (CA)

Sherif Nada Legacy Award

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. It recognizes & honors exemplary leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion with clear positive impacts in areas as a result of these efforts.

Tulaine Montgomery Village Builder Award

This award is given annually to members of the Citizen Schools community who—in the spirit of founding staff member Tulaine Shabazz Marshall Montgomery—demonstrate exceptional village building, acting as a bridge or connector for staff, students, and the community.

ANDREW BALSON INNOVATION AWARD

This award recognizes & honors 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.

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.