Holy Family Alumni Honored with 2025 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching

Out of more than 12,000 educators in the School District of Philadelphia, just 60 were selected to receive the 2025 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Among them, six are proud graduates of Holy Family University’s School of Education — a testament to the University’s lasting impact on classrooms across the region.

Presented by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, the annual award recognizes teachers who go above and beyond — creating welcoming learning environments, supporting students in meaningful ways, and serving as role models in their schools and communities. Each winner received a $3,500 award during a special ceremony on May 6.

This year’s Holy Family honorees include:

• Jennifer Smith Czulada M.Ed. ’03, 3rd grade teacher, Solis Cohen School
• Simone Hartman M.Ed. ’11, expressive arts teacher, John Hancock Demonstration School
• Niyah Dark B.A. ’14, kindergarten teacher, Jay Cooke Elementary School
• Rhodesia Green M.S. ’14, 11th grade counselor, West Philadelphia High School
• Michelle Furber Morales M.Ed. ’21, 3rd grade teacher, Alexander K. McClure School
• Stacey Doyle Straface B.A. ’98, 1st grade teacher, James Dobson School

Each of these educators brings passion, dedication, and adaptability to their classrooms — qualities rooted in their Holy Family experience, where programs are designed to be practical, affordable, and flexible.

Michelle Furber Morales said she was shocked to learn she had been chosen for the award. “I didn’t even know I was nominated! I had to read the email a few times before texting a coworker,” she said. “Then I found a teacher who had won the year before and told her. It was such an exciting time — I just feel so honored.”

Morales, who earned both a master’s degree in education and a reading specialist certification from Holy Family in 2021, said her coursework prepared her to meet students where they are. “Holy Family helped give me the knowledge to understand the educational needs of my students. The courses helped me build bridges between content and real life application within my classroom.”

For Niyah Dark, the recognition was both surprising and validating. “It felt incredible knowing that I was appreciated and that my hard work didn’t go unnoticed,” said Dark, who teaches kindergarten at Jay Cooke Elementary. She said Holy Family’s emphasis on differentiated instruction and real-world classroom experience played a key role in shaping her teaching.

Stacey Straface, a first-grade teacher at James Dobson School, has been in the district for more than two decades. When she attended Holy Family, Straface was a young parent, and she remembers the support she received at a critical time. “I transferred from Community College of Philadelphia, and being able to bring credits with me was huge. I already had a two-year-old, and my professors knew me by name. They understood if I had to leave class because my child had an ear infection,” she recalled warmly.

With more than 20 years at John Hancock Demonstration School, Simone Hartman currently teaches expressive arts, blending phonics instruction for the youngest students with social-emotional learning for upper elementary grades. Her dedication to education extends beyond her own classroom — Hartman has remained closely connected to Holy Family by mentoring numerous student teachers and practicum students from the University. “I earned my Master of Education in December 2010 and have since actively contributed to the preparation of future educators,” she said.

These six teachers represent the best of what Holy Family University stands for — purpose-driven, community-minded, and committed to making a difference. From student teaching to career excellence, their journeys are a reflection of the University’s strength in preparing educators to lead with compassion, confidence, and heart.