LENA NAMNUN:

The Lindback was a great honor.  It meant that my peers considered me exemplary. While it's always great to be recognized by superiors, your peers really get to see the person/teacher you are and for them to recognize me with that honor was truly flattering.

 

FA-COM:

Also, tell us about winning the, National Liberty Museum Hero Teacher award.  (

 

National Liberty Museum

Hero Teacher

 

LENA NAMNUN:

The NLM Hero Award was a completely different experience.  I didn't even know I was nominated, and then I was informed I won.

 

Mere days later my Mom passed away in our home, and less than 24 hours later our youngest son was having major, life-saving surgery for a tumor we didn't know he had. He spent almost an entire month at CHOP, (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) which caused me to miss the induction ceremony.

 

Later that summer, my family took a field trip to the museum to see the display.  It was very sweet and touching, but I wasn't able to fully appreciate how kind it was at the moment.

 

I feel terrible that I might not have seemed as gracious at the moment.  But there was so much going on…it was difficult focus on it at all.

 

F-A.COM:  What was your foundation growing up?  How did you build on it?

​

"My entire family went to Frankford,

a school steeped in tradition."

 

LENA NAMNUN:

I grew up with a strong foundation in family and tradition.  My entire family went to Frankford, a school steeped in tradition. 

 

It followed me into adulthood as Juan and I have a strongly connected family, raising our boys to be extremely tight and each other's best friend.

 

We have also taught them all of the traditions we grew up with. They take honor and family very seriously and love all of the Frankford tradition.

 

F-A.COM:  Did you always want to be a teacher?  What or who inspired you? What Frankford teachers inspired you the most?  How?

 

LENA NAMNUN:  As a young child, I first thought about being a chef or a nurse.  I loved that hustle and bustle.  But then I realized that I wouldn't be able to raise a family the way I wanted in those careers—which meant giving up nights, weekends, and holidays.

 

So by middle school, I realized that teaching was something I could be good at and enjoy, and history was always my favorite subject.

 

At the time, I had to get special permission to come to Frankford.  So my father and I sat down with Mr. Peters.   He asked me, "Are you SURE you want to teach history?  You know your Mother didn't pass my history class?"

 

I assured him I would do better, and he let me in.

 

When I came to Frankford, I had many amazing teachers, but Ms. Otto really helped nurture my love for history and helped me get on the right track for teaching. 

 

F-A.COM:  Tell us about your experience winning the Eagles Community Quarter Back Award.  (See Frankford Gazette’s profile)

 

LENA NAMNUN:

Last year, (2017) I was notified that I was nominated and won the Eagles Community Quarterback Award for the work we do in our Peer Group Connection program.

 

I was totally thrilled because it meant some badly needed funds for a program that is totally funded by student fundraisers. I was honored at the first Eagles home game with a personalized jersey and amazing seats where Juan and I got to see the 61 yard field goal!

 

That was awesome enough, but then in December I was invited to a ceremony with my family. All of the winners were given a personalized football and a meet and greet with Vinnie Curry. Then, we were treated to dinner, a tour of the stadium.  And the next day I was contacted with tickets to the Eagles/Falcons playoff game for the whole family!

 

It was a cool experience, but I honestly felt so humbled just to be in the room. Some of the other nominees had accomplished so much.  I felt like I didn't belong. Yet the Eagles and Santander representatives kept fussing over how much I did for the students at Frankford.  I was so grateful that anyone even noticed.

 

F-A.COM:  What other awards have you won?

 

LENA NAMNUN: 

As amazing as all the other awards have been, I think my favorites come from the kids. I’ve had the yearbook dedicated to me by the senior class, and students continue to recognize the effort I put into our school community.

 

That is truly the greatest honor any educator can earn.

 

F-A.COM:

You’re the coordinator for the new Aviation Academy.  What does that entail?

 

LENA NAMNUN:

Our new Aviation Academy is off to a fun start. We have 15 kids in the pilot program… (using both senses of the word-lol) and I am learning on the fly.  I’ve coordinated our Law Academy in the past and held several other coordinating positions (senior class sponsor, yearbook, Lawton Mentoring Program, etc.) so I was okay with taking on a great deal of responsibility.

 

However, this is a whole new experience. As coordinator, I will be purchasing needed items, coordinating business and community partners, supporting staff and students through the new curricula, organizing ceremonies/trips/speakers, grant writing and a whole lot more!

 

I have a ton to learn, but there are some tremendous people that have offered to help, so I'm confident we’ll continue to bring a strong program to our students.  Especially, as we expand over the next few years. 

 

F-A.COM:  What activities were you involved in, while a student at Frankford?

 

LENA NAMNUN: 

My freshman year, I was the bowling manager.  Mr. Folino had coached my older brothers and wanted to get me involved in something as quickly as possible.

 

I was in the National Honor Society, Danaides treasurer, newspaper editor, in the Health Academy for all four years, Senior Twelve, cheerleader for all four years (captain in my senior year) and  worked in the school store.

 

F-A.COM:  Tell us about your college education?  Why you chose the school/s you attended?  

 

West Chester University, A Chosen Fit.

 

LENA NAMNUN:

I did my undergrad at West Chester. I chose it mostly because it felt right. It ended up being a perfect fit, because my father passed away my first year; and I ended up coming home and working every weekend.

 

After graduation, I went straight through to grad school at Holy Family College and earned a Master of Education MSED in Elementary Education. 

 

From there,  I went straight to another graduation program at Holy Family University (it changed to a university), where I earned a MSED in Education Administration.

 

Finally, when I finished that program I started another master’s program online with the University of Phoenix in adult education.  By the time I had enough years in teaching, I had enough credits and certifications to go straight to senior career teacher with the School District of Philadelphia.

 

While I don't think I had any particular mentors in college, in my second MSED at Holy Family University, most of my professors were Philadelphia principals.

 

The funniest moment was when Juan and I walked into class and the professor was Dr. Rachild—our Principal from when we were students at Frankford!  (We attended all but our first year of undergrad in the same schools at the same time for all of the same degrees—except undergrad)

 

F-A.COM:  Why did you choose to teach Social Studies?

 

LENA NAMNUN: 

I've always wanted to know "why.”  How questions (more math and science) were easy. I could plug in a formula and figure out what the answer was. Very cut and dry. What I wanted to know was why?

 

Why did someone do what they did?  What did it feel like to experience what they did? In what ways were they changed because of what they experienced?  

 

I wanted the story, not the solution.  I needed to understand the interconnectedness of the human race—the interactions of people—and how these situations took us from point A to point B.

 

So history was just the natural subject to teach.

 

F-A.COM:  I understand you helped write the history book currently used at Frankford.  Tell us about that experience.  Are you working on any other books?

 

LENA NAMNUN:  It actually isn't in used any more, but we did use it for a while. As a senior, Ms. Otto asked if I would be interested in assisting with the compilation of a history book.  Of course, I said yes.   I was a student editor, giving feedback about organization, writing style, charts/graphs/pics, etc.

 

It was really cool to see that I was able to influence what and how other students were going to learn American History. While I haven't worked on another one since, I would love the opportunity.