Educational Support

Our goal is to support public school employees by recognizing exemplary professionals currently in the field and future professional educators.

The Lauretta Woodson Award recognizes excellence in education.  Two awards are presented annually to an outstanding educator and a support professional.

Our 2024 recipients come from the Lower Dauphin School District.

The Educator’s Award went to Scott Payonk.  Mr. Payonk teaches at Lower Dauphin High School.  He was picked to receive this award by his assistant principal, Sean McClintich.  Mr. McClintich states: 

“Mr. Payonk epitomizes what a dedicated teacher looks like.  His room is always full of students collaborating and supporting each other in the academic goals.  He also spends countless hours with students after and before school in athletics, as well as being a leader for our mini-thon that raised over $185,000.00 this year for kids fighting cancer.”

The Support Professional Award went to Fanya Kasputis.  Fanya works at Nye Elementary.  She was chosen by Lindsay Adams, her supervisor/building principal.  Ms. Adams states: “Fanya loves kids and it shows every minute she comes to work.  She makes it her goal to make learning memorable for all students at Nye.  She dresses up in theme costumes, sings, and tap dances at school assemblies and is a great moral support to her colleagues.  Fanya is a shining spot to our days.  I am thankful for this opportunity to honor her.”

We also administer the Educational Support Grant.  This is a $400  competitive grant awarded to one school employee to be used for an innovative program to enhance the school's curriculum.

Bob Hamera attended the Dauphin County Technical School Board Meeting to present the 2023-2024 DCPASR Education Grant to this year’s recipient, Rachel Cangialosi.  Rachel is a 9th/10thgrade ELA Teacher.  She  will use the $400.00 grant to improve her classroom atmosphere and to build a classroom library.  

Rachel stated in her application, “My goal would be to provide my classroom with appropriate aesthetics and improve upon the overall atmosphere as well as new and current titles to my classroom library.”  She went on to explain, “Research supports providing a classroom and students with options like flexible seating and furniture that allows for small group instruction or even comfort during independent reading and work.  Providing a classroom library that gives students high interest titles with readability on grade level is also highly researched and supported (this would include subscription services as well as physical books).”

Rachel will use the grant for: 

1.  Flexible seating options.

2.  Seating that allows for better small group or individual instruction and remediation.

3.  New book titles and online subscription services for student independent reading. 

We are pleased to be able to help Rachel meet the needs of her students!

Chapter scholarships are awarded annually to public high school seniors planning to major in the field of education.  The 2023-24 recipient is Allyson Lin, a graduate of Hershey High School.  Ms. Lin will attend Bryn Mawr College majoring in Education with the goal of becoming an English teacher.