Latest news with #PennWestUniversity
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Golden Apple Award: Walter Chevalier, Fairview Middle School
The Fairview school district is where we found the latest Golden Apple Award-winning teacher. It's where this outstanding educator has spent most of his school years, both as a student and teacher. This week's winner is Walter Chevalier, a middle school English language arts teacher. It's a career just four years old, but already he's learned the importance of making personal connections with his students. 'The students all have their own stories. They all have their own personalities. And just getting to know them and work with them is special and is incredibly rewarding,' Chevalier said. Chevalier is a product of the Fairview School District. Teaching here is like coming home. 'It's just a wonderful experience and it's an honor and privilege truly to give back to a community that's given me so much and to stay invested in such a tight-knit incredible community.' Mr. Chevalier's Golden Apple award comes as the result of a nomination from student Alivia Langer. 'He's very kind and he's caring, and he gave me the encouragement and confidence that I need to improve my grades, and he makes me want to be a better person and love to learn at school,' she said. 'He's everything a teacher should be and more, and he's encouraging her to be the best, and that's pretty special,' PennWest University education professor Mary Jo Melvin, PhD, said. 'His mentoring is really going to make an impact on these students that will really go beyond the walls of this classroom.' Big Ideas Learning, a national math textbook company headquartered in Erie, presented Chevalier with a financial gift of $250 to use in his classroom. 'He's obviously inspired them in so many ways, and so it's just a real honor to let him know how thankful we are for his commitment,' said Courtney Nagle of Big Ideas Learning. Wednesday, April 30, will be our final Golden Apple Award presentation of this school year. Then on Wednesday, May 14, we will announce the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year, as selected by a panel of educators from PennWest University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Apple Award: Dan Walsh, East Middle School
In an Erie middle school classroom that is a melting pot of the world, we find this week's JET 24 PennWest University Golden Apple award-winning teacher. Dan Walsh teaches English as a second language to students from all over the world at East Middle School in Erie. The city has a large population of refugee and immigrant students. Ironically, English is the only language Walsh speaks. He says some forms of communication are international. 'A smile is a universal language, so is a tear. 'You have a lot of empathy for the different things these students have been through and you're just there for them and consistent with them. Every single day. And they need somebody like that,' he said. Mr. Walsh has been teaching school for 18 years. But he didn't go to college to be a teacher. 'I wanted to do community recreation programs and work with students, work with children through that kind of avenue,' he said, 'And I decided maybe teaching was a better call.' He admits that decision came with encouragement from his wife, who is also a teacher. And he couldn't be happier for his career decision. 'Honestly, I love my job. I told my kids if I won the lottery, I'd be back to work the next day. I love working with this population, with their families, helping these students find their way here. It's been extremely enjoyable,' he what a difference it's made in the life of this week's student nominator, Hadeel Alkasabra, who came here from Syria just a year ago. 'I love Mr. Walsh because he helped me a lot. Mr. Walsh is an amazing person. Thank you, Mr. Walsh, for everything!' she said with excitement. PennWest University early childhood education professor, Mary Jo Melvin PhD, who attends every Golden Apple Award presentation, said of Mr. Walsh, 'I think he's always going to be a hero in her heart and for that reason, he's definitely deserving of this week Golden Apple.'Like all Golden Apple teachers, Walsh received a financial gift of $250 from Big Ideas Learning, a locally based national math textbook company. 'It's so much about relationships and inspiration and care for the child. and Mr. Walsh exemplifies that and for us to be able to support that and to give a little something so he can provide more resources for these experiences he has for the students; it's such an honor and blessing for us to do so,' said Damon Finazzo of Big Ideas. To nominate your favorite teacher for a Golden Apple Award, Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Coming this summer: Sidewalk extension along Waterford Street to PennWest in Edinboro
EDINBORO — Construction of new sidewalk along Route 6N in Edinboro is scheduled to begin Tuesday. The sidewalk will extend along the south side of Route 6N, also known as Waterford Street, from the existing sidewalk in front of the Edinboro Post Office to the Scotland Road entrance to PennWest University's Edinboro campus. The $658,000 project will also include construction of a pedestrian bridge over nearby Darrows Creek. The new sidewalk will be part of a safe, walkable route for both borough residents and PennWest students, said Edinboro Borough manager Jason Spangenberg. "Pedestrian safety is extremely important to us, and this sidewalk will provide safe pedestrian access to Edinboro's post office as well as provide a safe route for residents and university students to walk to the Edinboro downtown business district," Spangenberg said. Most of the construction will be off-road and will not affect traffic. But lanes may be closed at times with flaggers controlling vehicles, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The majority of work is expected to be completed this year. Some finishing work could be completed next spring. Funding for the sidewalk is from a federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside grant to Edinboro Borough. The contractor for the project is XL Excavating of Cambridge Springs. Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Waterford Street sidewalk construction to begin Tuesday in Edinboro
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Apple Award: Amy Holt, West End Elementary
A veteran Crawford Central school district teacher is the winner of this week's JET 24 PennWest University Golden Apple Award. Fifth-grade teacher Amy Holt has been teaching for 26 years — 19 at West End Elementary in Meadville and the last 15 in fifth grade. Unlike so many people who never really figure out what to do in life until much later, her dream of being a teacher came very young. Holt said, 'I spent a lot of time babysitting and working with kids when I was little, so I always knew I wanted to do something with kids that would make a difference.' More than a quarter of a century later, she said there's so much to still love about her time in the classroom. 'Seeing the growth and change in the kids and seeing them have those connections and a-ha moments that make it worth it,' Holt shared. Mrs. Holt said while changing with the times is important for success in the classroom, she emphasized that so are the basics. 'I guess just trying to make personal connections with the kids and kind of get to know them for who they are, not just what they're doing in school and focusing on the subject matter. But just kind of how I can support them throughout everything they're going through,' said Holt. This week's student nominator, Claire Davis, who is now in sixth grade said she enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Holt. It's the best part of her day. Because Mrs. Holt was always happy, helpful and positive. Davis said, 'She made learning fun and we'd be like 'yay, we get to go do this today.' And she really encouraged people and was very helpful' PennWest University early education professor, Mary Jo Melvin PhD, in meeting Holt and Davis said, 'You can see she creates an environment where there's trust, respect, she treats these fifth graders like adults. She gives them choices in what they read and what they write. And that is empowering to a fifth grader.' Each week, the Golden Apple teacher receives a financial gift from Erie-based national textbook company Big Ideas Learning. After presenting Mrs. Holt with a check for $250, Big Ideas spokesperson Carissa Snarski said, 'Mrs. Holt mentioned she likes to create a-ha moments, so we're happy our donation of $250 will help her continue to make those a-ha moments in the classroom all year long.' There's still time to nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award. You can do that by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Apple Award: Cami Gorski, Robinson Elementary School
This week we surprised a teacher at Robison Elementary School in the Fort LeBoeuf School District with the Golden Apple Award. Edinboro University graduate Cami Gorski started her career as a substitute teacher about 11 years ago. She's honored and surprised to be nominated and selected for a Golden Apple Award. 'It means everything to me I try to give my heart and soul to the kids. It really means a lot to me,' Cami Gorski, Golden Apple teacher. It's very clear Ms. Gorski loves these kindergarteners and this school! 'I absolutely love Robison Elementary. It's just an honor to work here and I appreciate the kids so much,' she said. 'It's just the joy everybody gives me. Their smiles in the morning. I'm surrounded by joy.' One of those enjoying her class is Leo, who initially struggled with his transition from pre-k to full-day kindergarten. But his mom said, not anymore. 'I knew every day this was his constant normal safe place to be in. he just really thrived in her classroom last year. his readings great, he's made a lot of friends, she's just wonderful,' Leo's mom said. In kindergarten students learn how to spell. The way you spell success as a teacher is L-O-V-E. 'I would say love. I would say dedication, make them feel welcome to make them feel loved and appreciated every day. i think when they like being here learning comes naturally to them,' Gorski said. Pennwest University is proud of their alum. 'She's truly making an impact. From the classroom environment which is positive, respectful and kind and caring, to communication with parents,' said Mary Jo Melvin PhD of PennWest University. 'You know, it doesn't get any better than that.' 'Not only is she making an impact on all of them, but she's making an impact on their families as well, and that's so important in the learning process,' said Amanda Sissem of PennWest University. This week another financial gift from big ideas learning…. 'To be able to give a little more resources so she can go and bring in new fun things for her students, it's just a wonderful pleasure for us to be able to support teachers like this,' said Damon Finazzo of Big Ideas Learning. Congratulations Cami Gorski, this week's JET 24 PennWest University Golden Apple Award winner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
