PSBA selected Quaker Valley to receive the 2022 Pennsylvania Education Innovation Award, Innovative School Board Award. The Board will be recognized on October 30 at the Excellence in Public Education Leadership Dinner at the 2022 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference.
“It’s an honor the PSBA recognized Quaker Valley and the hard work of our volunteer school board directors. We like to think the Board reflects the Quaker Valley difference and recognition of the innovative work by the Board is greatly appreciated,” said School Board President Jon Kuzma. “This award dovetails nicely with the District's acceptance into the League of Innovative Schools earlier this year and signals our community's commitment to educational excellence."
This award, which was first granted in 2017, celebrates the innovative leadership of public schools and grants awards to school boards, administrators, and teachers. Our education foundation will receive a $1,000 award donated by PSBA. Many schools applied, but Quaker Valley stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Out of a total of 63 possible points, Quaker Valley received 62. No other applicant received above a score of 60.
We know the great work that is done at all levels within the District, and the application process was an opportunity to shine a light on the efforts of the District. From our application: “The Quaker Valley School Board is very deserving of this Innovation Award. Their tireless efforts helped us to navigate a pandemic without missing a beat. It also has charged its educators to go beyond traditional pedagogy and instructional tools and processes to improve learning for its students and our society at large. It is exciting to be on this journey with their leadership as we embark on many exciting new projects. This quote from poet William Butler Yeats is a fitting parallel for the role of innovation in education at Quaker Valley: ‘Education should not be the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.’ The Quaker Valley School Board and administration are ready and excited about 'lighting the fire' and continuing with new options for the students and staff!”