Sister Helen Thomas, the "hands-on" principal at St. Laurence Catholic School in Upper Darby, has brought technology to her school in a big way.
Emilia Rastrick, a gym teacher at Lingelbach School in Philadelphia's Germantown section, launched a dragon-boat league to promote healthy lifestyles and cooperation among middle-school students.
And Sherman Denby, a science teacher at the Cherry Street School in Bridgeton, N.J., quietly goes out of his way to help his low-income students and their families.
All are considered champions by their school communities, and all were honored recently in an unusual competition. The National Liberty Museum in Old City named the trio and seven other educators winners of the annual "Teacher as Hero" awards. Sponsored by State Farm Insurance, the program recognizes inspirational teachers in the region with a permanent exhibit at the museum at 321 Chestnut St.
"Our honorees are an excellent representation of heroes that touch the future by teaching our youth," Gwen Borowsky, chief executive officer and vice president of the museum, said in a statement.