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When Marina Stamos’ son was about to enter kindergarten, she applied to a private and a charter school, not giving the neighborhood choice a chance.
“I was actually against sending him there,” she said of Andrew Jackson School, 1213 S. 12th St. “I went under duress at first because it didn’t have a good reputation.”
Theodore Lindestamos, 7, is now a second-grader at the public school.
Prior to enrolling him, she reluctantly joined forces with Passyunk Square Civic Association parents trying to enhance the learning environment and met 2011 Difference Maker Angelica Victoriano, who, along with other Latino parents, had the same goal.
The resident of 13th and Federal streets, who has a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and a teaching job at a North Philly charter school, assisted where needed to continue the improvement efforts.
“If I’d succeeded in anything, all I’ve done is made some calls and sent some e-mails and been myself,” Stamos, 49, said noting previous careers in broadcasting and writing. “Things started happening because I realized I use e-mail, I speak standard English. It’s just easier for me.”
When she learned parents wanted to learn English and students wanted to improve their English writing and speaking skills, she mentioned the request to her husband, Theodore Linde, an electrical contractor, who happened to start working at the home of a Temple University Spanish professor, who had been looking for schools where her students could teach.
The parents’ confidence levels when speaking their second language have gone up since the after-school club initiated and a University of Pennsylvania student added a Mandarin club last year.
Stamos’ most recent endeavor is looking for a designer to renovate the school’s music room.
“I just enjoy it,” the Wynnefield native who grew up in Upper Darby said. “I’m just constantly looking for opportunities because they’re always out there.”
While buying a phone, her salesman happened to be the cofounder of Rising Sons, a mentoring program for at-risk African-Americans and Latinos, which is now assisting Jackson youths.
“I think all I do is yap and yap and yap,” she said noting she could find connections at a party or in line at the supermarket. “I’m just persistent and I just make sure I pitch our school. If it’s a match, I just let them know in no uncertain terms that we are the match for them.”
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Other 2012 Difference Makers
/ Joe Barbuto / Ella Best / Paul Bryson / Nicole Canale /
/ Jasmaine, Jeannine & Jenielle Cook / Erin Dougherty /
/ Duane Davis / Frank Franzini / Adé Fuqua / Bennie & Hilda Hudson /
/ Ray Innaurato / Ed McBride / Jeannine McGuire / Carrolyn Minggia /
/ Teri Ruiz & Leah Vodila / Jeffrey Rush / Rev. John Stabeno /
/ Marina Stamos / Anne Stanfield-Hagert / Charles Stecker / Megan West /
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