Latest news with #CarrieRowe
CBS News
17-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Three western Pennsylvania teachers named finalists in 2026 Pa. Teacher of the Year
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, announced the 12 finalists for the 2026 Commonwealth Teacher of the Year Award. Among the 12 finalists are three teachers from western Pennsylvania. They include Katherine Blandino-Nienhuls of Pittsburgh Public Schools, Jennifer Nesser of Laurel Highlands School District, and Rebecca Showalter of the Mount Lebanon School District. "Ask anyone if they remember the teacher who inspired them most, and nearly everyone will immediately smile and name an educator from their past," said Pennsylvania's Acting Secretary of Education, Dr. Carrie Rowe. "Excellent educators make a lifelong impact on the learners they serve each day in classrooms across the Commonwealth, and these 12 finalists demonstrate the qualities needed in a great teacher: supportive, engaged, and passionate about the learners in their care." The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony in early December, and they will represent Pennsylvania at local, regional, and national events, including a National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House. Last year's winner, Leon Smith, a secondary teacher at Haverford High School in Haverford, Pa., has spent 22 years with the district, teaching several courses including honors and AP social studies, and 10th and 12th grade African-American studies. Meanwhile, the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Ashlie Crosson, was named the National Teacher of the Year, becoming the first-ever Pennsylvania teacher to win that honor. Crosson teaches 10th-grade English and AP language & composition at Mifflin High School in Lewistown, Pa. The full list of nominees is below. Whitney Bellomo, Dallastown Area School District, York County Nicole Birkbeck, Council Rock School District, Bucks County Katherine Blandino-Nienhuls, Pittsburgh Public School District, Allegheny County Renee Decker, Central York School District, York County Madeline Loring, Jefferson-Morgan School District, Jefferson County Jenna Love, Elizabethtown Area School District, Lancaster County Jennifer Nesser, Laurel Highlands School District, Fayette County Ashley Oldham, Big Spring School District, Cumberland County Andrea Rutledge, Hempfield School District, Lancaster County Rachel Sebastian, Governor Mifflin School District, Berks County Rebecca Showalter, Mount Lebanon School District, Allegheny County Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County You can learn more about the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website at this link.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Area vocational schools receive state funding to boost offerings
Three area schools were awarded PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School got $450,000, with Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center earning $75,000 and Windber Area School District being awarded $75,000. These grants will be used to expand access to computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. 'At PDE, we are committed to supporting innovative education and workforce development projects that ensure today's students are prepared with the skills they'll need to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow,' Pennsylvania Department of Education acting Secretary Carrie Rowe said in a release. 'I'm proud of Pennsylvania's commitment to career and technical education, which equips students with skills, credentials and hands-on experiences they need to excel in high-demand fields like STEM and computer science.' Rowe added that the funding reflects the state's continued commitment to 'providing every learner in Pennsylvania with the tools to build a successful future.' The area schools were three of 55 organizations across the commonwealth to receive a combined $10.35 million through these grants. According to PDE, institutions that received $400,000 or $450,000, such as Admiral Peary, have innovative projects planned to expand access to career and technical education for STEM and computer science curriculum. The $75,000 grants are geared toward supporting collaboration between schools and local or regional CTE providers, PDE said. The smaller amount may also be used to help communities design and plan local or regional approaches to expanding career education in computer science and STEM.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IUP awarded funding to accelerate special education certifications
INDIANA, Pa. – Indiana University of Pennsylvania is one of 14 post-secondary institutions receiving funding to boost special education teaching certifications, the state Department of Education announced Friday. IUP was awarded $99,330 as part of a $1 million aid package from Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration. "Pennsylvania's educator workforce shortage will take flexibility, innovation and creativity to solve," acting state Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe said in a release, "and initiatives like the Accelerated Special Educator Certification Program demonstrate how thinking outside the box can produce critical and much-needed results for the commonwealth." The accelerated offering makes grants available to college and universities with approved pre-K through 12th grade special education certification programs to partner with one school district, at least, career and technical centers, private school, charter and cyber charter schools, as well as intermediate units. Those partnerships are then used to provide students with summer field experiences, coaching and mentoring during the school year, and deliver a post-baccalaureate program for pre-K through 12th grade special education teacher certification within 18 months. There are 142 news special educators set to enter classrooms across the state, according to PDE, and hundreds more who will take advantage of this opportunity. For more information, visit
