June 4, 2007

Media Contact
Lourdes Rodriguez-Barrera
NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309

Best Selling Author, National Hero in Education to Address Graduates
Fischler School of Education and Human Services Names Salome Thomas-El as Commencement Speaker

Fort Lauderdale-Davie – As a result of his inspiring work in the field of education, the author of the best-selling book “I Choose to Stay” will confer honors and receive honors all at once.

Salome Thomas-El, a doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, will deliver the commencement address to associate of arts, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral graduates on June 16th. The commencement will take place at 3 p.m. in the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise.

Thomas-El is a nationally respected principal in Philadelphia whose distinguished educational career and reputation reflects his long-standing dedication to reaching and serving as a bridge to success for youth that he comes into contact with in Philadelphia’s inner city schools. Thomas-El received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Armed with only a chess board and a profound belief in their potential, Thomas-El’s faith and commitment has motivated hundreds of children in Philadelphia to attend magnet high schools, major colleges and universities. Currently, he is principal at the Russell Byers Public Charter School in Philadelphia and coordinates after-school chess programs in the school district. He continues his life inspiring chess and tutoring programs at Vaux and John F. Reynolds Elementary School.

In his first best seller memoir, “I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City”, Thomas-El reveals the challenges, trials and tribulations often facing Black youth in the "inner-city."  Due to the immense success of the book, the Walt Disney World Company decided to immortalize the story in the form of a movie. The book rose to as high as #5 on the Amazon Best Seller's list… up from #55,000.  Disney used this to gauge the interest in a story and in November of 2003 decided to launch the movie project.  No release date has been announced at this time. His second book, “The Immortality of Influence” was released in May 2006 with a forward written by actor Will Smith. The book stresses the importance of leadership, parenting, mentoring and service to others. Thomas-El was named Best Philadelphian for 2006 by Philadelphia Magazine.

“Mr. Thomas-El’s passion for education shines through in everything he has done for students and educators. His work has not only impacted the lives of his students locally, but he has inspired the lives of students and educators around the globe. As a star in our university and on the educational scene it is most fitting that such an inspiring hero in education lead our graduates at as they enter into the next chapter of their lives,” said H. Wells Singleton, Ph.D. Education Provost and University Dean of the Fischler School of Education and Human Services.

Thomas-EL frequently appears on the Fox News Channel, CNN, C-Span and NPR Radio. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as an outstanding school administrator and the University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Luther King Award. For more information on Salome Thomas-El, the June 16 commencement or the Fischler School of Education, please contact Lourdes Rodriguez-Barrera at 954-262-5309.