Paula Da Silva-Michelin is the 2011 New York Times ESOL Teacher of the Year

The New York Times announced today that Paula Da Silva-Michelin, an instructor at the Center for Immigrant Education and Training at CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College, is the 2011 New York Times ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Teacher of the Year.

The program, now in its fifth year, recognizes educators who have consistently excelled in helping adult students learn English and develop the skills they need to create successful new lives in the United States.

"The New York Times is delighted to recognize Ms. Da Silva-Michelin for her outstanding job in the ESOL adult education field,” said Diane McNulty, executive director, corporate communications, The New York Times Company. "As an immigrant and a one-time ESOL student herself, she embodies the hopes of our nation’s newest residents. As a dedicated teacher and mentor, she fulfills the promise of better opportunities for her students while making our community stronger for all its inhabitants.”

In addition to Ms. Da Silva-Michelin, The Times will also recognize two outstanding ESOL professionals at a ceremony at The New York Times on April 8:

• Elaine Soffer, lecturer, Language Immersion at Nassau Community College
• Robin Winters, adult ESOL instructor & computer literacy instructor, Harlem YMCA New Americans Welcome Center

Ms. Da Silva-Michelin will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. Ms. Soffer and Ms. Winters will receive certificates and gifts from The Times.

The winner and honorees were chosen by a selection committee of distinguished ESOL advocates:

• Susan Dalmas, Queens Library
• Constance Dziombak, NYS TESOL
• Rebecca Leece, City University of New York
• Elizabeth Lewis, Brooklyn Public Library
• Ivelise Lugo, The New York Public Library
• Paul Kim, the Mayor's Office of Adult Education
• Mara Komoska, New York City Department of Education

To learn more about the winner and honorees, please visit www.nytimes-community.com and click on ESOL Teacher of the Year or follow New York Times Community Affairs on Facebook.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2010 revenues of $2.4 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com