Camden Education Fund To Surprise 2024 RISE Teaching Award Winners
Visits to Teachers’ Classrooms to Present $5,000 Awards
MEDIA ADVISORY
MAY 8, 2025
Contact: Mike Neilon, (610) 613-2664, mneilon@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
Camden Education Fund (CEF) plans to celebrate this year’s recipients of the 2024 RISE Teaching Award, a citywide distinction honoring three outstanding teachers across Camden’s district, charter and renaissance schools, with surprise visits to the winners’ classrooms on Friday, May 10.
The three winning recipients will each receive a $5,000 prize, a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Camden, a congratulatory video, and a surprise classroom visit from Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Superintendent Katrina McCombs and Camden Education Fund Executive Director, Giana Campbell notifying them of their selection.
Selection for the 2024 RISE Award began in November, when Camden Education Fund sought nominations from school principals across the city. Principals nominated teachers, who were then invited to complete applications, including reflections on their teaching practices and recommendations from colleagues, students, or families. An independent committee of veteran educators reviewed all RISE applications and selected the finalists. The committee then observed lessons and reviewed teachers’ lesson reflections to evaluate each finalist.
This is the fourth year of the RISE Award. Both this year’s and previous winning teachers represent the diversity of education offerings in the city. They include elementary, middle, and high school teachers; district, charter, and renaissance teachers; general education, special education, and bilingual/ESL teachers.
WHO:
Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden
Katrina McCombs, Superintendent, Camden City School District
Giana Campbell, Executive Director, Camden Education Fund
2024 RISE Teacher Award Winners
Jaconda Wynn, pre-K teacher, R.T. Cream Family School
Sandra Dominguez, elementary ESL/bilingual teacher, Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School
Randolph Smith, high school science teacher, LEAP Academy High School
WHEN:
Friday, May 10
9:00 – 10:45 a.m.
9:00 – 9:25 a.m. @ R.T. Cream Family School
9:40 – 10:05 a.m. @ Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School
10:20 – 10:45 a.m. @ LEAP Academy High School
NOTE: Media Should Meet School Officials in the Lobby of the Schools at 9:00 or 9:40 or 10:20, Respectively, to Ensure Surprise Element
WHERE:
R.T. Cream Family School @ 9:00 a.m.
1875 Mulford Street, Camden, NJ
Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School @ 9:40 a.m.
415 N. 9 th Street, Camden, NJ
LEAP Academy High School @ 10:20 a.m. 130 N. Broadway, Camden, NJ
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.
