A national award program is acceptingnominations for Denver's most collaborative public school principal. The winnerwill earn a $5,000 grant for his or her school.

The2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Program will recognize schoolprincipals who are demonstrating their commitment to their school and thebroader community. It recognizes exemplary school principals in Denver PublicSchools who:

·Build partnerships withcommunity organizations, parents, and guardians;

·Resolve conflicts and promotesafety in the school and the community; or

·Promote civic engagement andcommunity service.

All middle and high schoolprincipals in the Denver Public School District are eligible. Nominations forthe 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award are due March 7,2008.Nomination forms areavailable at www.ncl.org.

"Principals play a crucial role inbuilding family, school and community relationships to encourage successfulteaching and learning," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLifeFoundation. "The Ambassadors In Education Award recognizes educators who areexceptional leaders in connecting school and community."

MetLife Foundation has recognizedAmbassadors In Education in Denver Public Schools since 2003. Each year, theAward alternates recognition between teachers and principals. Last year, theprogram recognized Denver's teachers. Previous Award winners 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

Each winner earned a $5,000 grant for their school to help itcontinue building community networks.

"MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League startedthe Ambassadors In Education Award program in 2003 after the MetLife Surveyof the American Teacher revealed a dividebetween many educators and their schools' communities," said National CivicLeague President Gloria Rubio-Cortes.

MetLife Foundation and theNational Civic League have recognized 90 Ambassadors In Education across thenation with more than $450,000 in grants since 2003. The Award is sponsored byMetLife Foundation, which was founded in 1976 by MetLife and supports programsthat increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students andteachers a voice in improving education, develop partnerships between schoolsand communities and strengthen relationships among parents, teachers andstudents. The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organizationdevoted to community building and strengthening democracy, administers theprogram.

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