Lancaster, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Executive Deputy Secretary Angela Fitterer today visited Burrowes Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster to help thank educators as National Teacher Appreciation Week approaches.
“Educators play a critical role in helping to inspire and nurture our children, who will be important leaders in the future of the Commonwealth. Dedicated teachers, principals, and other school staff, like that of Burrowes Elementary School, are truly doing some of the most important work there is,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Fitterer. “We applaud these educators for their commitment to their students, and to students throughout Pennsylvania, and thank them for going above and beyond each and every day.”
Burrowes Elementary School is a full-service community school that partners with Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania (CISPA). Whether a child needs extra academic help, a mentor, a health check-up, additional food supplies, or even employment training, CISPA is there to make sure each child gets exactly what they need. Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania is one of 26 state affiliates, plus the District of Columbia, that comprises the Communities In Schools National Network. CISPA partners with school districts across Pennsylvania, including Central Dauphin School District, Greater Johnstown School District, Lebanon School District, Somerset Area School District, Susquehanna Township School District, and The School District of the City of York, and serves over 40,000 students throughout the Commonwealth.
“Burrowes Elementary is a community school, so we pride ourselves on involving various organizations, persons, and groups from our community to offer unique learning opportunities for our students. Burrowes faculty and staff embraces this type of involvement as it helps support what they are teaching students on a daily basis,” said Dr. Alex Rohrer, Community School Director. “We are excited to welcome Ms. Angela Fitterer during this teacher and educator staff appreciation week to highlight and honor the amazing work the entire Burrowes team does to ensure every child receives an excellent education to prepare them for the classroom and beyond.”
National Teacher Appreciation Week, hosted by the National Education Association (NEA), takes place May 8 through 12 and is an opportunity to tell teachers that we will listen to them, we will stand with them, and together we will take action so that every student has a teacher who feels respected and supported.
“It has been a true honor to work in the School District of Lancaster at Burrowes Elementary School for the last five years. My students show their appreciation every day with a hug, a thank you, and their excitement to learn,” Mrs. Justine Shupp, Kindergarten Teacher at Burrowes Elementary School. “I have had parents of students I’ve taught in the past reach out and tell me their child had to write about their favorite teacher and I was the one they chose. Knowing how appreciated I continue to be by parents and students even after they leave my classroom fuels my passion for teaching.”
Pennsylvania’s educator workforce plays a critical role in the Commonwealth’s economy and helps prepare young learners to participate in and lead our communities, governments, businesses, and families in the future.
In his 2023-24 budget, Governor Josh Shapiro makes education a priority, proposing a $567.37 million increase in Basic Education Funding and a $103.8 million increase in Special Education Funding. In addition to making investments in students, the Shapiro Administration has also made it a priority to invest in teachers, proposing $2 million to provide teacher professional development through local education agencies, and a $2,500 annual personal tax credit for new teachers, nurses, and police officers for up to three years.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Smith, casesmith@pa.gov
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