Cristina Pla-Guzman, the lead teacher for Pace High School’s Academy for Visual & Performing Arts Theatre Program, has been named a winner of the 2016 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards. Pla-Guzman is one of only 14 teachers across the United States chosen to receive the award, which entails a $10,000 grant for each teacher.
Awarded by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., the Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award is given out each year on Stephen Sondheim’s birthday, March 22, to American teachers who have had an extraordinary influence on their students’ lives.
Teachers are nominated by their former students, with Pla-Guzman being nominated by Elexa Suarez, a Pace Class of 2015 alumna who now attends the University of Florida.
“Mrs. Pla makes sure each of her students feels appreciated and accepted, despite their past, present, or future,” said Suarez in her essay. “She opens her arms to so many people and inspires us to pursue our dreams, not just with her words, but with her actions.”
Pla-Guzman is showcased along with Suarez’ essay on the Kennedy Center website at http://education.kennedy-center.org/education/sondheim/nominees16.cfm.