The Philadelphia 76ers honored David E. Poindexter (left) of Wyndmoor, PA. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Jazz game on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. Poindexter, an elementary teacher in the Cheltenham School District, was influential in creating the mentoring program known as Students with Academic Potential (SWAP) at the Elkins Park School. In its seventh year, the SWAP program is now included in each school in the Cheltenham District for grades K through 12. This program currently has 100-125 volunteers mentoring over 200 children in the Cheltenham area. Some of the program's activities include trips to sporting events, the theatre and college tours in locations spanning from New York City and Washington, D.C. for some children who may have never ventured outside of their own neighborhoods. Poindexter, who holds a bachelors and masters degree in Education and Special Education from Antioch University, currently spends a majority of his time mentoring youth himself. Recently, he was instrumental in helping five young men receive partial scholarships to several historically black colleges and universities. Committed to helping others in his community, Poindexter strongly believes that as long as he continues to help people, that "his living will not be in vain."
Additionally, David worked for over 25 years in a family funeral home - Williams & Palmer Funeral Home, Philadelphia, PA
David is currently working on several college committees, creating symposiums and conferences in the areas of leadership and development for students in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey and Montgomery Counties.
David also created an additional component to the mentoring program at Elkins Park School, that will track 12 students for a year by mentoring, developing leadership qualities, tutoring, studying techniques, social skills, guest speakers, and trips to educational places/museums.
David has been an educator for over 26 years in Philadelphia and Montgomery County, and has been an instructor with Bob Randall Assoc. since 1994.
