Credit: Pennsbury School District
A Pennsbury School District teacher was a finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
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Afton Elementary School SPARK teacher Kristin Slota was among the 12 finalist, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The district said the Lower Makefield Township teacher has worked in the school system for 24 years.
Slota helped launch the SPARK (STEM through Perseverance, Application, Resilience, and Kinetic Knowledge) program at Afton Elementary School.
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Slota was recognized this week at a statewide professional development conference in Hershey by state officials. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith; Michele Spack, director of elementary education; Maria Gregory, former interim Afton principal and current Walt Disney Elementary School principal; and Afton PTO Board member Amanda S. and family attended.
Ryan D. Hardesty, a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher at Blackhawk School District in Beaver County, was named the 2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
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“The reach of an excellent educator extends far beyond the walls of the classroom — great teachers set students up for a lifetime of opportunities,” said Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty. “The 12 Teacher of the Year finalists demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment, and they all deserve our appreciation. On behalf of the Wolf Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, we applaud Mr. Hardesty for his dedication to his students and school community.”
The Teacher of the Year contest is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year, which was founded in 1995.
Hardesty and Slota were one of 12 finalists:
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• Chris Grouzes, Rose Tree Media School District
• Julie A. Hussey, Cumberland Valley School District
• Brooke A. Menzen, Jersey Shore Area School District
• Jackie M. Miller, New Hope-Solebury School District
• Mary Beth Moslak, West Branch Area School District
• Abbey C. Nilson, Shaler Area School District
• Ashlee L. Peters-Roberts, Burrell School District
• Elizabeth “Liz” Taylor, School District of Philadelphia
• Jason A. Turka, Bethel Park School District
• Melissa B. Unger, South Fayette Township School District
Credit: PA Internet News Service
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