Philadelphia Educator Receives Queen Smith Award From Council of Great City Schools and Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

Hilderbrand Pelzer III, an assistant regional superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia and former principal of the Pennypack House School in the Philadelphia Prison System, is the winner of the 2008 Queen Smith Award for Commitment to Urban Education, presented by The Council of the Great City Schools and Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. He was nominated by officials from the School District of Philadelphia.

Each year at its annual fall conference, the Council presents the Queen Smith Award for Commitment to Urban Education to an urban school educator who has made significant contributions to education and to the community. Sponsored by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, the award is named in memory of the company's late vice president of urban programs.

"Queen was a much loved and admired educator who made a big impact, thanks to the Educator's Collaborative, which she founded as a way to bring together educational leaders to focus on the needs of urban children," said Arthur Griffin, senior vice president of McGraw-Hill Education's Urban Advisory Resource. "Her legacy lives on through those like Principal Pelzer who dedicate themselves to making a difference for children."

The award presentation will be at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, October 24, at the Hilton of the Americas Hotel in Houston in conjunction with the Council of the Great City Schools' Annual Fall Conference. The Queen Smith Award winner receives $2,000.

As assistant regional superintendent, Pelzer is responsible for 25-30 schools that provide unique educational strategies designed to help students graduate from high school. He was just recently promoted to this position.

Previously, Pelzer served as principal of Pennypack House School in the Philadelphia Prison System, where he was is responsible for the instructional programs for juveniles ages 14 to 17 who have been incarcerated and are being charged with felonies as adults. The school strives to prepare students for life after prison and for an opportunity to move forward through education.

Under Pelzer's leadership, the school now has access to computers, research-based literacy and mathematics programs, school-based counseling, and psychological services. He also created a dynamic collaboration among teachers, social workers, correctional officers, prison administration, and others to facilitate a total educational environment.

In addition, Pelzer coordinated a GED program for the adult inmates so they can earn their degree before their release.

Pelzer holds a bachelor's degree from Hampton University and a master's in education from Cheyney University. He has received numerous awards, including the Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service from the Philadelphia Prison System in 2006 and the Principals' Award from the Talent Development Reform Model National Implementation Conference in 2002.

About Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill is part of McGraw-Hill School Solutions Group (MHSSG).

The group combines Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, which focuses on Grades PreK-6, and Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, which serves Grades 6-12. MHSSG is the only major educational publishing business to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of print and digital instructional materials from pre-kindergarten through high school. Additional information is available at http://www.macmillanmh.com/.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 60 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/

  Contact:  Tom Stanton                   Yvonne Pentz
            McGraw-Hill Education         Paul Werth Associates
            (212) 904-3214                (614) 224-8114, ext. 233
            tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com   ypentz@paulwerth.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
+1-212-904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com
or
Yvonne Pentz
Paul Werth Associates
+1-614-224-8114, ext. 233
ypentz@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.macmillanmh.com/
http://www.mheducation.com/