The Broadway League, the national trade organization for the commercial theatre industry, announces Jason Ford as the 2017 League Educator Apple Award® recipient. Now in its fifteenth year, the awards acknowledge the efforts of local teachers and advocates who support programs relating to Broadway or Touring Broadway shows, promoting further development of theatre education.

“Since 2003, The Broadway League has been proud to bestow the League Educator Apple Awards to recognize teachers, administrators, school district heads, and advocates from around the country for their commitment to arts education, as well as their work in collaboration with Broadway League member venues that present Broadway and Touring Broadway shows,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League. “Jason Ford truly epitomizes an educator with a commitment to enriching young minds with the power of the arts, and we couldn’t be more excited to honor him with this award.”

“The Rochester Broadway Theatre League is fortunate to collaborate with teachers like Jason, who love the work they do, and do the work they love,” said Annette Ramos, Director of Community Engagement from the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. “Through Jason’s ability to understand the creative needs of his students, the challenges they face overcoming poverty, and the lack of opportunities and limited resources they face, his unique teaching style creates an environment that is both welcoming and empowering for his students.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized,” said Jason Ford, 2017 Apple Award recipient. “I am so grateful for the learning opportunities that have been given to my students. They have increased test scores, showed more confidence, and have become passionate about the arts.”

Jason Ford is a 5^th grade teacher at Francis Parker School in Rochester, New York. Since 2011, he has collaborated with the Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) to incorporate seven touring productions into his classroom. Over the course of the 2016-2017 school year, his partnership continued once again with Wicked. Students explored all the themes in the RBTL Wicked curriculum including the effects of bullying and how they could be examples of Up-stander Citizens in their school. The students promoted inclusiveness, gained confidence, explored how perspective shapes our view, found their voices, and discovered the true essence of friendship.