MCF Presents Awards to Local Educator, Nonprofit

August 04, 2009

contact: Fred Silverman (415.464.2527 or via email)

The Marin Community Foundation (MCF) has announced that Mary Crosby, director of Dominican University's Elementary Teaching Program, and Next Generation Scholars, a college access program for underserved students in Marin, will receive the Foundation's 2009 Beryl H. Buck Awards for Achievement.

Crosby's recognition comes with a check for $10,000, and Next Generation Scholars will receive $25,000.

Each year, the Foundation's awards honor outstanding work within a particular community issue. This year's theme, under the title of Sharing Knowledge, Creating Community, focuses on ways that education enhances opportunities for residents of the County.

"For the past 36 years, Dr. Crosby has prepared more than 3,000 teachers to excel as educators and mentors," said MCF President Thomas Peters in announcing the awards. "Her work advancing special education and elementary education has touched the lives of tens of thousands of school children in Marin and beyond."

In her work in special education, Crosby has helped develop and advance a curriculum that trains teachers to educate and support students whose needs or disabilities require special teaching approaches, equipment, or care. She has prepared Marin's special education teachers to successfully collaborate with parents and to make use of educational, mental health, and other community resources to insure a positive learning environment and appropriate behavioral supports.

Next Generation Scholars helps underserved students, including many who are the first in their families to attend college, prepare for higher education through academic support, a range of social services, and activities that encourage them to become active in addressing community needs.

"The energy and dedication of these students are powerful expressions of how people's potential can be unleashed with the kind of thoughtful and comprehensive support that Next Generation Scholars provides," said Peters.

Since its founding, Next Generation Scholars has placed 100% of its students into four-year, highly selective colleges.

"The County is indeed blessed to have such committed and passionate people who realize the power of education to change lives and who have developed successful, effective programs to make that happen," Peters added.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in early November.