2026 PTA Founders’ Day
Founders’ Day is a National PTA event in which PTAs across the nation celebrate the founding of the PTA (February 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst). Nationally, the PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.
The Dearborn PTA Council observes this day by recognizing parents, teachers, students, staff and community members for their accomplishments, service, and efforts to support the mission and vision of the PTA through a Founders' Day awards event. The Dearborn PTA Council awarded several High School students with scholarships and organized a basket raffle to be created from each local PTA.
This year, the Lindbergh PTA board was proud to recognize three Lindbergh staff members - Susanne Abu Rus, Ahlam Beydoun and Laura Polidori at the 2026 Dearborn PTA Council Founders’ Day event. As a PTA board, we were excited to honor individuals at Lindbergh that go above and beyond to support the mission of PTA: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We’re also delighted to announce that one of our Lindbergh parents was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Dearborn PTA Council - Congratulations to Anna Dewey! A big congratulations to Issa Chamseddine for winning the district level award for Reflections.
Photo credit - DearbornOn
Learn a bit about our remarkable honorees:
Susanne Abu Rus is a dedicated educator with 36 years of service in Dearborn Public Schools, including 20 years as an instructional coach. She is currently in her eighth year at Lindbergh and is a fundamental part of the building leadership team, the Guiding Coalition, and the Sunshine Committee. As a Lead Coach, Mrs. Abu-Rus works directly with teachers in classrooms to ensure all students can utilize research-proven methods to reach their maximum potential. She is responsible for literacy related professional development at the building level and is tasked with bringing that knowledge to parents for parent meetings. This year, she successfully led two key school-wide initiatives with the help of the Sunshine Committee: One School Read and March is Reading Month - both of which - the students love. Her expertise extends to decision-making for district, county and state-level literacy and education initiatives. Mrs. Abu-Rus’ dedication to Lindbergh’s school community continues to elevate students and educators and we’re proud to celebrate her today.
Ahlam Beydoun has been a dedicated teacher with Dearborn Public Schools for 23 years and currently teaches first grade at Lindbergh. Her impact extends well beyond her classroom in numerous ways. She serves on the Sunshine Committee, helping to foster a positive and supportive school culture. In her classroom, she empowers students through Classroom Wildly Important Goal boards and student leadership binders, encouraging them to set goals and celebrate their progress. She plays an active role in bringing the school community together. Mrs. Beydoun contributes to events like STEAM Night and supports literacy initiatives such as March is Reading Month. We’re pleased to recognize her today for her consistent care for students, families, and colleagues, and for the meaningful ways she helps Lindbergh thrive.
Laura Polidori is a lifelong member of the Dearborn community. She’s currently teaching 2nd grade at Lindbergh and is in her 27th year of teaching. Her deep connection to the district and her love for the staff, students, and families at Lindbergh inspired her to dedicate her entire career here. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught grades 1, 2, 3, and 5, demonstrating both versatility and long-standing commitment to our school community. Mrs. Polidori’s leadership and involvement extend beyond her classroom, as she serves as co-chair of the Sunshine Committee and chair of the Social Committee, helping to foster a supportive school culture. At the district level, she contributes as a member of the Social Studies Committee and serves as a Social Studies Leader. She is also deeply involved in student enrichment, proudly serving as the leader of Lindbergh’s Service Squad and also leading Lindbergh’s Chess Club, who took 2nd in the entire district this year. Her dedication is evident in the numerous after-school activities she attends and supports. She is known for her commitment, school spirit, and the positive energy she brings to the Lindbergh community.
Our staff member honorees exemplify the pillars of the PTA by continuing to be kind, yet powerful voices for our Lindbergh students and our community, as well as collaborative participants in the emotional health of our students. We’re beyond appreciative for our ENTIRE staff for always guiding our children in kind ways, teaching our students knowledge and skills, and keeping them safe.
2026 Distinguished Service Award
Over her eleven years as a parent at Lindbergh, Anna Dewey has been a Homeroom Parent, chaired numerous PTA events including Field Day, Scholastic Book Fair and the Variety Show, and has volunteered at countless events and activities.
As Book Fair chair, she has gone above and beyond the role by finding innovative ways to use Scholastic dollars - giving each educator an amount to spend on books for their classrooms, funding March is Reading Month prizes for students, purchasing books for our All School Read program and restocking books for Bingo for Books. She has also spent untold hours organizing the teachers’ book rooms.
As Variety Show chair for the last four years, Anna has shown unparalleled initiative by not only taking extra time to help students improve their acts outside of scheduled rehearsals but also by choreographing group numbers to open and close the show that all students - including performers, announcers and stage crew - are welcome to be a part of. With Anna’s passion for the arts and commitment to our students’ growth, every student who has participated in the Variety Show has felt welcome, encouraged, and more confident. In addition to all of these volunteer efforts, she has also donated her DJ skills at our PTA Fall Festivals and Spring and Halloween Dances.
This year, Anna organized Lindbergh’s first Iftar dinner for our 5th graders, collaborating with 5th grade parents and community members of different faiths and backgrounds to start a tradition that we are excited to continue for years to come. She exemplifies the best of the PTA, advocating for all kids and all families, regardless of faith or background.
In addition, Anna is currently pursuing a proposal to include Lindbergh in a pilot program to switch to reusable breakfast and lunch trays and utensils from the plastic and styrofoam ones currently in use. Her support of Lindbergh as a certified green school is evident by her focus on student health and environmental sustainability.
Even though Anna has an extremely busy life with a career, three kids, and an active volunteer with other community organizations, she is always willing to help the Lindbergh PTA whenever and wherever she can. She’s someone we can count on to jump in and help, or simply give sound advice. She’s an amazing volunteer for our school, and an all-around incredible person. The Lindbergh community is lucky to have Anna and she will be greatly missed next year when her youngest continues her education journey in middle school.
Our Lindbergh parents consistently go above and beyond through donations of volunteer time, items, lunches/dinners, monetary amounts and significantly more. We know everyone’s time at an elementary school is limited–from students and parents and even teachers. We appreciate the parents and teachers who make our school a better place for all our children. We are grateful for all of the time, effort, and love they pour into every child, each day to make sure our children have a positive and memorable experience.
Thank you to our Lindbergh community for all that you do!
Previous Staff member Founders’ Day award recipients:
2025: Danielle Currie & Jennifer Ruselink
2024: Yasmine Hicks & Mary Robey
2023: John Harvey & Colleen Noe
2020: Pina Prather & Katie Robins
2019: Ms. Bush & Ms. Lorber
2018: Ms. Baloga
2017: Ms. Ackerman & Ms. Lybik
2016: Ms. Stetz, Ms. Wilkie & Mr. Murua
Previous Parent Founders’ Day award recipients:
2025: Nora Farhat & Anna Dewey
2024: Mariam Abbas & Sarah Neubauer
2023: Amanda Fawaz & Jasmine Leciejewski
2020: Amanda LeFranc, Melissa Mattison & Edward Mroczka
2019: Gina Berry & Emily Blumenstein
2018: Kimberlee Bogden, Kelly Panackia & Gwynn Bondy
2017: Danielle Lewis
2016: Yvette Abela, Dina Arsenault & Debbie Kohler
