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President’s Awards by PCSS President Joseph Labant

Robert Kreider, Manheim Central High School Wendy Toole, Region 9 - National History Day Coordinator

Beth Specker, Arcadia University

Teacher of Year (Co-Recipients)

(Middle) Joshus B. Yoder - Owen J. Roberts Middle School (Secondary) Amy Cheresnowsky - Athens High School

(Secondary) Justin Reese - McCaskey High School

Student Teacher (Co-Recipients)

Beth Kromka - Indiana University of Pennsylvania Teddi Valeski - Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Outstanding Projects

Sean Gaston and Jen Goss - Fleetwood Area High School Misa’s Fugue

Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Educators

(Primary) Jennifer Basler, Melissa Ross, Amy Spencer, Angela Weimer, Michele Witman The Donegal Intermediate School 3rd Grade Language Arts/Social Studies Team

(Upper Elementary) Stephanie Mellott, Krista Thompson, Tracy Lavetan, Kari Hilt, Kyle Kasabo

Sinking Springs Elementary 5th Grade Social Studies Instructional Team

Friend of Social Studies

Rendell Center for Citizenship & Civics Arcadia University

Future Leader (Co-Recipients)

Darren Samuels, Annalise Tolley, Abby Xie, Daphne Schlesinger, Lani Cupo, Katie Brown Mt. Lebanon High School

Leo West Award

Myron Yoder (Retired) - School District of Allentown

Ruth Stas Award (Co-Recipients)

Justin Reese, Lisa Hardwig, Heidi Trexler - McCaskey High School

Kay Atman Award

Darla Gerlach - Shaler Area Middle School

CONGRATULATIONS! Join PCSS in honoring these winners at the Awards Reception 7-9 pm, Thursday October 17th

at the Annual PCSS Conference in Harrisburg.

For more information on our award winners, please visit our website: http://pcssonline.org/

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President’s Awards by PCSS President Joseph Labant

Outstanding Commitment to Civic Education

Beth Specker, Arcadia University

Beth Specker has been a champion of civics education since she first started working in the

field as the Vice President of Education for the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge. She

was known across the country for her ability to make the civic mission of schools come alive

to young people of all ages and to the adults who worked with them. It was during her work

as Chief of Staff for the First Lady of Pennsylvania and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge

Midge Rendell that Beth helped articulate across our state a vision of civics education that is

now housed at the Rendell Center for Citizenship and Civics. Beth continues with her work

there to lead the way in making our next generation of citizens aware and involved.

Outstanding Commitment to Social Studies Education

Robert Kreider, Manheim Central High School

Robert Kreider is an advocate of social studies in many ways, Not only has he created the

first PCSS Rho-Kappa in the Lancaster County; but, he has helped in making links with various

social studies groups in the Lancaster area. He is presently the curriculum coordinator for the

Manheim Central School District and is a PCSS Board Member. Robert follows professional

protocol and is a respected member of the Lancaster education community. He is presently

helping to ensure the success of future PCSS Mini Conferences in the Lancaster area.

Outstanding Community Leadership

Wendy Toole, Region 9 - National History Day Coordinator

Wendy Toole, singlehandedly, saved the Lancaster, York, Berks and Lebanon County Regional

National History Day (NHD) Program. If it would not have been for Wendy’s help and re-

sourcefulness, the regional NHD in Region 9 would be nonexistent. She revamped the local

procedures, found innovative ways for getting support and funding, and networked with

various community groups to ensure the regional’s success. NHD is such an important social

studies event and it is because of the hard work of persons like Wendy Toole that the pro-

gram continues to thrive in Pennsylvania!

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President’s Awards by PCSS President Joseph Labant

Teacher of Year (Co-Recipients)

Joshus B. Yoder - Owen J. Roberts Middle School (Middle)

Joshua Yoder teaches 7th grade World Cultures. He is an avid history buff and loves to trav-

el. He can be seen working with the National Park Service in Philadelphia on the Independ-

ence Park Archaeology Site as well as the Historic Eastern State Penitentiary Site. Mr. Yoder

is also an actor and has been in numerous local and regional productions as well as some film

work such as the 2005 movie Invincible and Travel Channel's MYSTERIES AT THE MUSEUM. In

his off time, Mr. Yoder enjoys traveling to new countries every year and can speak German,

Spanish, Arabic & American Sign Language.

Mr. Yoder has a BA in History, BS in Education from Kutztown University, a MA in Holocaust

and Genocide Studies from West Chester University and a MA in Historical Archaeology from

The University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Mr. Yoder is also an adjunct professor

with Desales and Widener Universities teaching WWII/Holocaust Studies.

Amy Cheresnowsky - Athens High School (Secondary)

Amy Cheresnowsky employs a non-linguistic approach to teaching which fosters a state of

inquiry in her instruction. Her approach assists students in making connections from the past

and the contemporary world. She maintains a constant focus on her own professional devel-

opment and is well known for her collaborative approach with her colleagues. Ms.

Cheresnowsky shares ideas to create an authentic learning community that stimulates coop-

erative teaching, planning, and evaluation of instruction and student learning outcomes.

It is very evident that Ms. Cheresnowsky strives to build the foundations for future success

with her students by keeping them well informed. She consistently takes the time to engage

her students with current issues through mock elections, analysis of state of union addresses,

comparative study of social issues, and a focus on democratic values and beliefs through the

lens of our rights and liberties as American Citizens.

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President’s Awards by PCSS President Joseph Labant

Teacher of Year (Co-Recipients) (cont)

Justin Reese - McCaskey High School (Secondary)

We could spend hours extoling the reasons Justin Reese is the 2013 PCSS Secondary Teacher

of the Year. Just listen to what his colleagues say: “Mr. Reese gladly accepts students that are

struggling in other classes and fosters in them a passion for the social studies.” A student

adds: “I remember the first time I met Mr. Reese. He greeted me and instantly treated me

not as a student but as a friend. I knew at that moment he loved his job but most importantly

loved to be there for his students.” A double winner tonight, Justin Reese embodies every-

thing we wish to see in a social studies teacher. Justin Reese has demonstrated exceptional

professionalism and excellence in Social Studies. By combining high expectations with an

environment where every individual is valued, Civics and Government come alive. In his class-

room, students are charged with the idea that they can make a difference in the world. While

actively attempting to make that difference, they are developing and honing academic skills

that will lead to success in all disciplines.

Mr. Reese is innovative in his use of data driven instruction. He has focused his pursuits on

encouraging growth in reluctant learners and supporting English Language Learners in their

acquisition of content. Mr. Reese encourages his students to strive for excellence and to

utilize their excellence to make an impact. In his classroom, every student is expected to seek

the change they wish to see in the world. He has developed multiple resources both online

and in print that allow the students to explore various governmental issues. These resources

include the use of conventional classroom resources, but innovative materials such as a class

website, Twitter, Facebook, Class Blog, etc. The implementation of these resources allows

students to interact with political figures at the local and national level. Through these mate-

rials, students have the ability to discuss current and historical issues as well as ongoing issues

as well. This discussion happens through a multitude of media that maximize the potential

engagement of each individual student.

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October 16—October 18,

2014

Pasquerilla Conference Center

301 Napoleon Street

Johnstown, PA 15901