PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Seven of Philadelphia’s top school principals will be honored Tuesday night with the prestigious Lindback Award, an honor presented each year to principals who show exemplary leadership and humanitarian contributions.
The 2024 winners are:
— Bahir Hayes, William C. Bryant School
— Corrine Scioli, Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences
— Khadijah Bright, Crossan School
— Khary Moody, James R. Ludlow School
— Kimlime Chek-Taylor, South Philadelphia High School
— Rich Mitchell, William W. Bodine School
— Torrence Rothmiller, Hamilton School
Mitchell has been the principal at Bodine High for less than two years, but he’s made a swift impact. “I would have to say I kind of brought some stability to the school,” he said.
Mitchell restored a sense of community after Bodine students protested a toxic culture two years ago.
“It’s my second year here at Bodine, really bringing back a lot of the traditions that Bodine has had,” he said, “our cultural assembly programs, our international travel. This year, we’ve had students go to Portugal. We just got an offer from the consulate of China to send 15 students to China in June.”
Chek-Taylor is in her ninth year leading South Philadelphia High School. At the diverse school, where 43% of students have a primary language other than English, everyone has a voice, she said. South Philadelphia High has after-school programs to get new students acclimated, and a weekly pantry where students can pick up food, hygiene products and school supplies.
Chek-Taylor said the most important thing, though, is for students to believe their concerns are heard. That was made clear when concerns by the student government led to new painting and lighting.
“Students’ voice and staff voice are so important to run the school because you want to build that sense of community. I’m here to serve them,” she said.
All seven winning principals get a $20,000 prize to spend at their school. Chek-Taylor said she’s planning to create a student activities center with foosball and table tennis in the cafeteria. “We want to make sure our students are eating, they’re interacting with each other, studying — at the same time, also having fun.”
Mitchell plans to upgrade Bodine’s instructional media center.
The Lindback Awards are presented by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Christian Lindback is the former president and owner of Abbotts Dairies.