A national award program has honored Denver's most collaborative educators since 2003 to help showcase and perpetuate those efforts. The program is now accepting nominations for the most collaborative public school principal. The winner will earn a $5,000 grant for his or her school.

The 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Program will recognize school principals who are demonstrating their commitment to their school and the broader community. It recognizes exemplary school principals in Denver Public Schools who:

·Build partnerships with community organizations, parents, and guardians;

·Resolve conflicts and promote safety in the school and the community; or

·Promote civic engagement and community service.

All middle and high school principals in the Denver Public School district are eligible. Nominations for the 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award are due March 7, 2008. Nomination forms are available at www.ncl.org.

"Principals play a crucial role in building family, school and community relationships to encourage successful teaching and learning," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "The Ambassadors In Education Award recognizes educators who are exceptional leaders in connecting school and community."

Each year, the Ambassadors In Education program alternates recognition between teachers and principals. Previous Award winners in Denver include:

• Cheri Wright, teacher, Career Education Center
• Nicole Veltze, former principal, Cole Middle School
• Steven Finesilver, teacher/coach, George Washington High School
• Michael Gaither, principal, Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College
• Tricia Downing, teacher, Fred N. Thomas Career Education Center

In addition to a $5,000 grant for their school to help it continue building community networks, these educators had their accomplishments profiled for use by schools and communities across the country.

"MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League started the Ambassadors In Education Award program in 2003 after the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher revealed a divide between many educators and their schools' communities," said National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortes. The program has recognized 90 Ambassadors In Education with a total of more than $450,000 in grants.

MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, develop partnerships between schools and communities and strengthen relationships among parents, teachers and students. The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to community building and strengthening democracy, administers theprogram.

For more information about the Ambassadors In Education Award, including the profiles of past winners and their community-building activities, visit www.ncl.org/metlife/index.html.