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 Derry Township School Board Meeting on February 10 to present the 2024-2025 DCPASR Education Grant to this year’s recipient, Miriam Collins.  She  is an American History Teacher at Hershey High School and advises The Random Acts of Kindness Club. 

Each year the club hosts a “Lemon Aid Stand”.   In Miriam’s words, “Students come up to our booth and pick up half a lemon where they are instructed to write an issue or problem on the lemon rind.  Then they are to place the lemon in the juicer and squeeze away their problems, at the same time making a delicious glass of lemonade.  Once done, the student ‘throws the problem away’, and hence, no more problem!

We see smiles on students who do not often smile.  With the uptick of violence, suicide, and truancy, we think that this event helps to bridge the gap and allow students to learn to problem solve in a positive manner.”

Congratulations to Miriam and the Random Acts of Kindness Club!

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.