The following announcement naming the 2006 Toyota Family Literacy  
Teacher of the Year was released Friday by the National Center for  
Family Literacy.


January 27, 2006 - Washington, DC – Surrounded by his students and  
fellow faculty at Bancroft Elementary School, adult education teacher  
Mark Faloni was today named the 2006 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher  
of the Year.  Presented by Toyota and the National Center for Family  
Literacy (NCFL), this national award recognizes family literacy  
educators who have excelled in helping students achieve their  
academic, personal and professional goals.

As the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year, Faloni will  
receive a trip to NCFL’s annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky in  
March, and his program at Bancroft will receive a $5,000 grant.

Mr. Faloni was chosen by a panel of family literacy specialists at  
NCFL who reviewed nominations for high-performing teachers from  
across the United States.  An educator in the District of Columbia’s  
Public School System for more than 20 years, Faloni stood out due to  
his success in designing curriculums that not only motivate at-risk  
students to learn, but also encourage them to work together.  His  
students consistently attend classes, and his retention rate is among  
the highest of NCFL’s programs for Hispanic and other immigrant  
families.  During the 2004-2005 school year, the majority of his  
students improved their test scores in English as a Second Language  
(ESL).

“The Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award recognizes  
teachers who often are the unsung heroes of our society and who now,  
more than ever, have the daunting challenge of positioning children  
and families to succeed,” said NCFL founder and president Sharon  
Darling.

Pat Pineda, group vice president at Toyota Motor North America,  
added, “Through his teaching and the special attention that he gives  
students and parents, Mark Faloni has shaped the lives of hundreds of  
immigrant families in the Washington, DC area.  He has created an  
environment where students are motivated to learn and parents become  
full partners in their children’s education. We are proud to honor  
him as the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year.”

For information contact:

Mira Sleilati

Toyota Motor North America
212-715-7435
mira_sleilati at tma.toyota.com

Marvin Young

National Center for Family Literacy
502-584-1133 ext. 173
myoung at famlit.org









Gail J. Price
Multimedia Specialist
National Center for Family Literacy
325 West Main Street, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40205

Phone: 502 584-1133, ext. 112
Fax: 502 584-0172


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