The purpose of the SDB Fellowship is to identify, reward, and encourage teachers and administrators who have made outstanding contributions to the lives of academically talented students. The program began with the identification of teachers by students. It was expanded to include the identification of administrators by teachers. The central role of students in identifying teacher excellence is the hallmark of the Fellowship. It was the contention of the benefactor of the program, Sarah D. Barder, that the contributions of teachers and administrators to individual children, their families, and to the society at large are often undervalued. She wanted to change that condition by honoring teachers and administrators in a special way and over a career. As a result, SDB Fellows have an opportunity to gather annually, tackle timely educational challenges, and be refreshed through conversations with experts and peers. Students living in California, Nevada, and Maryland, who have participated in a CTY program the previous summer or a CTY distance program the previous year, are invited to nominate a teacher who has had a positive influence in the student’s academic career. All nominated teachers receive a letter of congratulations, a certificate of nomination, a copy of the student’s nominating essay, and an invitation to apply to the Fellowship. A panel of CTY educators reviews the applications and selects the new class of Fellows. The number of acceptances will vary from year to year. Students are limited to one teacher nomination. SDB Fellows are then invited to nominate an administrator who has fostered an academic environment in which students and teachers of high ability have an opportunity to work to their potential. The invitation to nominate an administrator is issued to Fellows for two years following induction. Fellows are limited to one administrator nomination. New Fellows are expected to attend an orientation, during which the class learns more about the Fellowship and about Johns Hopkins University and its Center for Talented Youth. Also at the orientation, the class works collaboratively on an assigned project. The project is shared with veteran Fellows at the annual conference. The length, location, and format of the orientation have varied over the twenty-one years of the program. Currently the orientation is held immediately before the annual conference. At the Annual Conference, the new Fellows are recognized formally at an induction ceremony, the highlight of the final day of the conference. At this event, the new Fellows receive an award certificate, the congratulations of the veteran Fellows and CTY officials, and an honorarium of $500 to be used at the discretion of the Fellows for classroom or school enhancement. The purpose of the annual conference is two-fold: to address a timely educational issue and to visit with friends and colleagues. Some Fellows use attendance at the conference to help meet professional development expectations. Others simply enjoy the intellectual and professional stimulation of speakers, workshops, and discussions. Many count on the annual conference as an opportunity to renew friendships initiated during the induction year and sustained over time. The inaugural class of 1988, for example, has been represented at every annual conference. How to fund the growth of the Fellowship?
How to staff the program to insure service excellence?
How to solicit students and teachers to insure a manageable yield?
How to disseminate the creative work of new Fellows?
How to encourage communication between conferences?
How to involve Fellows more in the design and execution of the Annual Conference?
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