PRIZE Signing Day: High School Seniors Pledge to Become Teachers
Aspiring Teachers in the PRIZE Summer Teacher Academy Bear Witness
West Chester University’s (WCU) College of Education & Social Work has developed a
PRIZE-winning way to defy the national teacher pipeline shortage: The Partnering in Raising Inclusive, Zealous Educators Program or PRIZE Program is boldly teaching school districts how to cultivate
exceptional educators who, following their graduation from WCU, have agreed to return
to PRIZE school districts to teach.
In keeping with this “grow-our-own” concept, 13 high school seniors, who will be WCU college education majors in the fall, were invited to sign commitment declarations to pursue academic journeys that will lead to careers as future teachers in PRIZE school districts. Seven of those students were present for the annual signing ceremony — similar to the accolades high school athletes earn for signing to a college team — on Thursday, June 25, at the West Chester University Foundation.
During the ceremony, the following high school students signed their pledges in person: Gianna Hartnett, Abigail McCarthy, Ava McEvoy, and Ava Spicer, all from Colonial School District; Kiersten Keyes, from Avon Grove School District; Penelope Rhodes and Azucena Zavala Guerrero, from Kennett Consolidated School District. The pledge they took is at the end of this release.
PRIZE students not present at the signing ceremony: Alliman Arjun and Phoebe Balkiewicz from Colonial School District; Abigail (Bee) Domnisch, Aurielys Santiago Perez, and Emily Torres-Zavala from Kennett Consolidated School District; and Bryant Botchick from Avon Grove School District.
Among those watching the signing were 12 rising high school seniors who are currently attending the PRIZE Summer Teacher Academy, a one-week on-campus experience for high school students interested in the teaching profession and taking a one-credit education technology course. Academy students plan to pursue teacher preparation at WCU and eventually become educators in their own school districts much like the peers they met during the signing ceremony. Current WCU education majors act as mentors to the high school students.
Faith Bullen, a current WCU music education major, PRIZE Ambassador, and one of the inaugural Summer Teacher Academy participants, shared her thoughts about her goal to become an educator. She noted that by taking education-focused dual-enrollment courses in her senior year of high school she gained “early insight into the type of coursework I would experience in my major while also exploring the career path I was passionate about pursuing.”
Bullen said the PRIZE Program simplifies the path to becoming a teacher by creating a focused community with built-in support; removing pressure on student teachers by placing them in their home districts; and giving future teachers “the chance to do something bigger than yourself … to combat the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania.”
PRIZE high school dual-enrollment participants are being admitted to the program on a rolling basis for the 2026-2027 academic year. To date, the following school districts have partnered with the PRIZE Program:
- Avon Grove School District
- Chichester School District
- Chester-Upland School District
- Coatesville Area School District
- Colonial School District
- Commonwealth Charter Academy
- Kennett Consolidated School District
- New Hope-Solebury School District
- Oxford Area School District
- Rose Tree Media School District
- School District of Philadelphia
- Southeast Delco School District
- Susquehanna Township School District
Dr. Desha Williams, dean of WCU’s College of Education and Social Work, created and launched the PRIZE program in January 2023. She acknowledged the philanthropic supporters who have made the program possible. The PRIZE Program is supported by such generous sponsors as Lance Bogash ’74, retired Southeast Delco School District educator; the late Dr. Judith Finkel ’73; Chester Community Charter School; Justamere Foundation; Rob Dash, Esq. and Debbie Dash; as well as others.
The PRIZE Program Board of Directors are Dr. Daris McInnis, assistant professor of literacy, Dr. Diane Santori, professor of literacy, and Dr. Brittany Severino, assistant professor of special education. PRIZE Summer Teacher Academy co-directors are Dr. Tiffany Bennett, assistant professor of early and middle grades education, and Dr. Christian Penny, professor of educational foundations and policy studies.
For more information about West Chester University’s PRIZE Program, visit https://www.wcupa.edu/education-socialWork/prize/.
PRIZE Pledge
- To create a classroom where every voice is heard, every perspective valued, and every individual celebrated
- To make a profound and lasting difference in the communities I serve
- To stand committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is not just acknowledged but cherished, for it is in our differences that we find strength
- To commit to being an active and engaged member of my community, leveraging my role as a teacher to uplift, empower, and inspire those around me
- To cultivate a learning environment that reflects the rich tapestry of our community, embracing diversity and celebrating the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of everyone
- To foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, ensuring that every learner feels valued and supported as they embark on their educational journey
- To approach my work with dedication, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to fostering a brighter future for all
As a teacher, I am not just shaping minds; I am shaping the future,
and I do so with passion, inclusiveness, and unwavering zeal.
I AM THE PRIZE!