At the most recent Rotary Club of Park Ridge meeting, we had the pleasure of awarding Roosevelt Teacher Maria Lakerdas a $1,000 scholarship to help her continue her learning journey.
This special scholarship is given out annually thanks to a partnership between the Rotary Club of Park Ridge and the Hendee Family. Lakerdas is a dedicated Multilingual Learner Teacher who truly connects with her students. Lakerdas uses her experiences to help guide students through the challenges and triumphs of learning a new language.
This scholarship will help Lakerdas as she works toward her doctoral degree. “I am truly honored and deeply grateful to be a recipient of the Hendee Scholarship,” shared Lakerdas. “The generosity and support mean so much to me, and this scholarship will have an impact on my academic journey.” She added, “Knowing that there are individuals who believe in my potential and are willing to invest in my future is both humbling and inspiring.”
Roosevelt Principal Dr. Kevin Dwyer was on hand to celebrate Lakerdas and share how special this type of support is. “That’s what it’s all about. We’re going to support you, Maria,” said Dr. Dwyer. We’re going to get you across that finish line, and your story of earning that doctorate one day is now linked to the Hendee Family. So, thank you for supporting Maria and this ambitious endeavor.”
This scholarship allows Lakerdas to enroll in Global Perspectives in Curriculum and Instruction. This course will push her to research and think critically about culture, policy, context, and global best practices in curriculum development.
“I believe that researching and applying these practices is vital to designing instruction that meets the diverse needs of learners and promotes access to these opportunities right here in our local schools, said Lakerdas. “This course will help me bring that lens to my work with colleagues, students, and families here in the district.”
The Hendee Scholarship is presented each year in memory of Dr. Raymond E. Hendee, who served as District 64 Superintendent from 1970 until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Hendee was a passionate advocate for teacher development, always encouraging and supporting continuing education programs focused on new teaching techniques and academic growth. His legacy lives on through this scholarship, helping teachers like Lakerdas continue to learn and grow for the benefit of their students.