#CelebrateASD 2018-2019

Posted on 11/19/2018

Each week the Allentown School District will profile one student, teacher or family that represents the diversity within our District and city. Through a partnership with the United Way and Upside Allentown, a professional photographer was able to capture stunning images that portray various representatives of our District in their schools.

The project aimed to capture individuals who are committed to excellence in the Allentown School District. Schools were asked to identify those in their buildings who take action to promote the best the Allentown School District has to offer and inspire others in and outside of their school building.

Help us #CelebrateASD each week by sharing these images on your preferred social platform!

Week 12: January 14, 2019

Name: Iris Jarjous
School: Teacher, Cleveland Elementary School
Quote: "Each day, I am committed to making sure that regardless of what kind of day I'm having or had -- at school, or at home, or in life -- I promise my students that I will never come to work without a smile for my kids. I want them to know that even when life gets tough or knocks you down, you get back up, put your best foot forward and just smile. I want them to know that there isn't a fall or defeat you can't get back up from!"

Week 11: January 7, 2019

Name: Jacob Cordero
School: Student, Central Elementary School
Quote: "Jacob transferred to Central mid-year, but wasted no time in getting involved. A leader in his classroom, he sought out opportunities to serve by volunteering with the Backpack Buddy program. Jacob was also a stand-out basketball player, representing Central Eagles basketball during their run for the elementary championship." - Christa Held, Community School Coordinator, Central Elementary

Week 10: December 17, 2018

Name: Elizabeth Morales
School: District Supervisor of Special Education (Secondary)
Quote: "Allentown is home for me - I grew up in ASD and went to HMMS and graduated from Dieruff High School. I love coming home and feeling as if I make a difference in the community that I grew up in. Working in special education allows me to make a difference in the lives of students and their families who need it the most."

Week 9: December 10, 2018

Name: Bobby Snyder
School: Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary School; Acting Assistant Principal Mosser Elementary School
Quote: "In ASD, being committed to excellence is being committed to Allentown. Our expectations as educators need to stay high - this way we aren't short-changing our students. Every individual has an opportunity to learn and be successful and it's our job as educators to facilitate that process."

Week 8: December 3, 2018
ARosario

Name: Ambar Rosario
School: Student, South Mountain Middle School (Now Dieruff High School)
Quote: "To me, being committed to excellence means to always put effort into everything I do. It means to participate and be involved in our community and to show others that anything is possible."

Week 7: November 19, 2018

Name: Colleen Scharf and Leida Rosario
School: Teachers, Jackson Early Childhood Center
Quote: "Kelly Stoops was a former ASD teacher who suddenly passed away in 2014 but continues to serve as an inspiration for us and many other teachers in our building. Kelly was the first to volunteer to help students in Allentown who were in need, and her memory lives on through the impact we hope to make on our students each day. In her honor, the Jackson ECC even named our clothing closet in the school for students, after Kelly.”

Week 6: November 12, 2018
RosadoL

Name: Lauren Rosado
School: Teacher, Cleveland Elementary
Quote: "It’s important to recognize that all of our kids can be excellent in multiple ways and it’s my job to provide them with the opportunities to do so. I’ve made it a point to make sure my kids know that I care about them and help them to be successful in their own ways."

Week 5: November 5, 2018

Name: Maria Surita
School: School Parent Liason, Ruab Middle School, McKinley, Union Terrace, and Central Elementary Schools
Quote: "Being committed to excellence means having a good relationship - with both families and the larger Allentown community. I know who I am going to impact, so that is something that I think at the beginning of my day that I am grateful that I have a new day to start, impact and reach out to others."

Week 4: October 29, 2018
RamirezS

Name: Sandra Ramirez
School: Student, Trexler Middle School, William Allen High School
Quote: "People in my school always tell me that I’m different than other kids – in a good way. I think it’s because I put my mind to other activities, instead of the everyday drama of school. It’s important to me to have my mind focused on more important things, such as after-school activities and my goals."

Week 3: October 22, 2018

Name: Judy Patterson
School: Health Room Assistant, Raub Middle School
Quote: "I look at it as being a mother to 904 students. In Allentown, you have to do a lot of active listening and student conferencing, just to get them to realize, this is important, and what you’re setting up here is the groundwork for the rest of your life."

Week 2: October 15, 2018

Medina

Name: Caesar Medina
School: Student, Central Elementary
Quote: “My teacher once said to me that if there was like, a thousand Caesars at Central Elementary it would be amazing."

Week 1: October 8, 2018

Name: Dawn Ackerman
School: Teacher, Jefferson Elementary
Quote: “The one thing I believe about teaching is that it’s a service industry. If I’m not doing this 110%, then I don’t need to be here for the kids.”

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