Simons Partner with Warner to Honor Teacher Excellence

Every day, teachers across America search for new ways to reach students. They learn new technologies, stay abreast of teaching philosophies and practices, and develop innovative lesson plans and activities in an attempt to get their students’ attention and help them learn.

Teachers who are passionate about what they do will bend over backwards to reach their students—and often, it can be a thankless job. But teachers don’t do it for recognition or status, they do it for their students. And they hope, that just maybe, they will make a profound impact on a student and help shape his or her life for the better.

This passion and dedication is precisely the reason Marion A. and Leonard S.
Simon have led an effort to honor Rochester area teachers. Through the Awards for Excellence in High School Teaching, the Simons have partnered with the Warner School to recognize student-centered teachers who use innovative teaching techniques and excel at the profession of teaching.

“We are proud to be a part of this initiative,” says Mrs. Simon, who earned her doctorate at the Warner School and is very familiar with the challenges today’s teachers face. “It is so important for our school districts to think about their teachers and the impact that each one makes. We gladly support such an important effort to honor them.”

The program began several years ago with a grant from the Rochester Community Savings Bank, which later became Charter One Bank. Now, the awards are made possible through a personal gift from the Simons. The Simons have expanded the awards to include an enhanced educational component.

The Simons, longtime residents of the Rochester area, now make their home in western Massachusetts. Mrs. Simon has taught school at the secondary level and held several professional positions in local institutions of higher education. She is currently a development consultant. Mr. Simon is the retired Vice Chairman of Charter One Financial, Inc., the holding company of Charter One Bank.
Over the years the Awards for Excellence program has grown to include nominations from nearly 70 schools.

“Teaching is about people and subjects, but it is also about creating new ways to overcome obstacles and build community to effectively educate students,” says Mrs. Simon. “Their effort should be recognized for the great achievement that it is.”