The New York Times Announces the Winner of the First ESOL Teacher of the Year Program.

Four Other ESOL Instructors Will Also be Honored;

New ESOL Web Site Introduced

NEW YORK -- The New York Times announced today the names of one winner and four honorees in the paper's first ESOL Teachers of the Year Program. The five teachers all provide instruction in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to adult students in New York City.

The winner in this inaugural year was Ellen Quish, ESOL instructor and staff developer in the Adult Learning Center, Division of Adult and Continuing Education at LaGuardia Community College. The four honorees are:

* Andrew Bell, ESOL instructor, New York City Department of Education, Office of Adult and Continuing Education

* Lee Jay Favors, ESL Coordinator, Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Public Library 

* Alexander Sokol, adjunct, City College of New York Adult Literacy Program

* Beda Vergara, ESOL/Civics instructor, SoBRO (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Organization)

Ms. Quish and the four honorees will be recognized at a special ceremony presented by The Times on Thursday, Feb. 22 at which Ms. Quish will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. The honorees will receive certificates and gifts from The Times. All five teachers were nominated in the fall of 2006 by their students, other teachers or colleagues. Nominators were asked to explain why their nominees were such effective teachers and how they had improved the lives of their students and others. All ESOL teachers working in New York City were eligible for consideration.

"The New York Times is delighted to recognize Ellen Quish and the other honorees in our first-ever ESOL Teachers of the Year program," said Diane McNulty, executive director, community affairs and media relations, The New York Times. "Although we have identified five outstanding teachers for this honor, our intention is to pay tribute to all ESOL teachers throughout the city of New York. Thanks to their commitment, new immigrants are being given the tools they need to build better lives for themselves and their families, continuing New York's legacy as the city where everyone has a shot at the American dream."

The winner and four honorees were chosen by a selection committee comprised of distinguished ESOL instructors and advocates. They are:

* Ismael Alicea, coordinator, Office of Community Outreach Services, The New York Public Library 

* Mark Bechara, ESOL instructor

* Susan Dalmas, adult literacy program manager, Queens Library

* David Hellman, professional development coordinator, CUNY Language Immersion and Adult Literacy Programs

* Susan O'Connor, manager, literacy programs, Brooklyn Public Library

* Anthony Tassi, director of adult education, Office of the Mayor

The Times will also unveil its new ESOL Web site at the awards presentation on Feb. 22. The Web site, NYTimes.com/ESL, will feature profiles of the teacher honorees as well as a curriculum guide for ESOL teachers that incorporates The Times into lesson plans.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2006 revenues of $3.3 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers, nine network-affiliated television stations, two New York City radio stations and 35 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 and www.nytimes-community.com.