Exclusive: Shanksville school secretary receives state award
Gail Edwards, elementary secretary at Shanksville-Stonycreek Elementary School, is one of two school employees recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education with the 2027 Pennsylvania Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award for exceptional contributions to school and community. BillieJo Pecht, alternative education paraprofessional at Penns Valley Jr./Sr. High School in the Penns Valley Area School District, is the second honoree for 2027. Edwards said she didn’t know she was nominated. "It was a surprise," Edwards said. "Over the summer I got an email that said I was selected to move on in the process." Edwards was interviewed by PDE staff, and the school submitted five staff letters of support along with three letters from parents. Edwards said the letters from students’ families were especially meaningful. What is the RISE Award? The RISE Award was established by Congress in 2019 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It honors a school employee who provides exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The RISE award is the equivalent of the PA Teacher of the Year award for nonteaching school employees. More: Looking for a place to get a delicious meal this Thanksgiving? To be eligible for the award,
