WASHINGTON, DC 2008 OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Mr. Chisholm has been named an Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient. Only one teacher is selected from each jurisdiction -- he is the Washington, DC 2008 Outstanding Teacher of the Year! This award recognizes"dedicated teachers who have shown initiative, creativity and an exceptional degree of professionalism in teaching."

A native of Washington, DC, Yusef Chisholm is one of the most innovative and stylistic bassists in traditional and contemporary music. Yusef, born to the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. and Annie Mae Chisholm, began playing music at Shaw Junior High School and was Tuba Section Leader of the Cardozo Senior High School Marching Band. He pursued his passion for music, attending the University of the District of Columbia where he majored in Music Education and minored in Fine Arts.

After receiving his BA and Associates degrees in 1988, Yusef began teaching in the District of Columbia Public Schools System as an Instrumental Music Instructor. He instilled musical knowledge to youth at Ballou Senior High, Anacostia Senior High, and Kramer Middle Schools. While at Anacostia Senior High, Mr. Chisholm formed the Anacostia Senior High School Marching and Jazz Bands. He also formed the Combined Concert Band incorporating both Anacostia and Kramer schools.

His band program was notably recognized in the community, receiving many performance accolades under his direction: First Place awards in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival; Second Place in the North Carolina Azalea Festival. Additionally, they participated in numerous college homecoming parades and festivals (Washington's Main Street Millennium, Community May Day Parade, and Annual Chinese New Year Parade).

Yusef currently is the Instrumental Music Teacher at Hardy Middle School where he has formed the Hardy Middle School Concert, Jazz and Marching Bands. His band participates in the East Coast Jazz Festival and DC Public School related events. He recently showcased his Jazz Band at the Superintendents Breakfast for DC Public School Principals.

Yusef Chisholm has added his musical talents to local non-profit groups such as the DC Youth Ensemble and the Diamond Girls Jazz Band. In 1995, Yusef formed Common Knowledge, a contemporary jazz ensemble. His studio (of same name) has provided a venue for local musicians to record their projects. He has been a member of Collaboration, a Washington-based jazz group of music educators since 1986. The group has performed for many noteworthy events such as the 53rd and 54th Presidential Inaugural Balls of President William J. Clinton and President George W. Bush; Walt Disney World/Pleasure Island's Jazz Company, The Capital Jazz Fest, The Annual Day of Caring - United Way Campaign, and a Gala for Prince George's County Delegate Obie Patterson. The band was featured in The Washington Post as a premiere Metropolitan jazz band.

Yusef has also performed at The John F. Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, The Warner Theater, The Lincoln Theater, BET's Jazz Central, The Studio Theater, The Houston Arena, The MCI Center (Grand Opening), The Ghana Jazz Festival, The Smooth Jazz Bahamas Jazz Festival, and a host of other venues across the world. He participated in the Thomas W. Jones' production of SLAM!, under the musical direction of William Knowles. Other musicals where he showcased his talents were Three Sistahs, Pippin, All Night Strut, Tambourines to Glory, Once on This Island, Dinah Was The Dinah Washington Story, All Around the World, Two Queens One Castle, Ellington The Life and Music of the Duke, King of Cool The Nat King Cole Story, A Mark Twain Murder Mystery, and Bricktop.

Yusefs extensive live performance credits also include participation in the Tribute to Dick Gregory. Yusef Chisholm has shared the stage, accompanying such artists as Oleta Adams, Eryka Badu, William Becton, Angela Bofill, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Nick Colionne, Isaac Hayes, Nathan Heathman, Phyllis Hyman, Miles J., Freddie Jackson, Jaared, Al Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Calvin Jones, Keith Kilgo, Ben E. King, Debbie Kirkland, Bobby Lyles, Antonio Parker, Lloyd Price, Sylver Logan Sharp, Dionne Warwick, Vesta Williams, Vicki Winans, Sherry Winston, Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder, Davey Yarborough, and has opened for countless others.

He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference and the International Association for Jazz Education. Yusef is married to vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm, and has one daughter, Lauren and one son, Yusef Khalil.

Stay Informed!

Mr. Pope awarded 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award.

Top 25 Educators Win National
Award for Community Collaboration
School Earns Grant in Their Honor

DENVER—Public school principals in 25 cities across the United States were today recognized with the 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education award, distinguishing them as some of the nation’s most collaborative educators. The award is part of a National Civic League program designed to honor exceptional educators who have become national role models through community engagement activities in support of students. In honor of the achievement, all schools with an award winner will receive a $5,000 grant.

The selection comes as a result of a nationwide search involving thousands of students, parents, colleagues and community members, who nominated hundreds of educators for the award. All middle and high school principals in 25 public school districts were eligible.

The 2008 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award is a National Civic League program, recognizing exemplary school principals who:

• Build partnerships with community organizations, parents, and guardians;
• Resolve conflicts and promote safety in the school and the community; or
• Promote civic engagement and community service.

“Principals play a crucial role in building family, school and community relationships to encourage successful teaching and learning,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “The Ambassadors In Education Award recognizes educators who are exceptional leaders in connecting school and community.”

In addition to the $5,000 school grants, which are intended to help continue building community networks, the educators will have their accomplishments profiled for use by schools and communities across the country. They all will be recognized at an award ceremony at their school, which will include a crystal apple to signify their special accomplishments.

“MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League started the Ambassadors In Education Award program in 2003 after the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher revealed a divide between many educators and their schools’ communities,” said National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortes. “The program has nowrecognized 115 Ambassadors In Education with a total of more than $500,000 in grants.”

MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, develop partnerships between schools and communities and strengthen relationships among parents, teachers and students. The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to community building and strengthening democracy, administers the program.

For more information about the Ambassadors In Education Award, visit www.ncl.org/metlife/index.html.

Gloria Rubio-Cortes
President
National Civic League
1640 Logan Street   - NEW ADDRESS
Denver, Colorado 80203
303-571-4343
gloriarc@ncl.org
www.ncl.org