The PA Charter School Legacy Awards stand as a distinguished recognition within Pennsylvania’s educational landscape, honoring exceptional individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to the growth, advancement, and success of charter schools.
These awards celebrate visionary leadership, innovative educational practices, community engagement, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of kids’ lives through the charter school system.
2022 Legacy Award Winners
Erin Corvaia
Award Type: Teacher
School: Pennsylvania STEAM Academy
Quote: “There is such a great need for those kids to be loved and supported and be told that great things can happen for them. And the kids themselves, and knowing that I can provide for them, that is the greatest reward.”
Bio: Erin Corvaia is a kindergarten teacher at Pennsylvania STEAM Academy. Erin joined Pennsylvania STEAM two years ago, and channels her background in Outdoor Education and love of natural science into the STEM curriculum.
Dr. Wayne Jones
Award Type: School Leader
School: Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Quote: “Through creativity, flexibility, and innovation, we can inspire and empower young minds to reach their full potential and break free from the limits of traditional education.”
Bio: Dr. Wayne Jones joined Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship as their CEO in 2013 with a financial management, operations, and sports management background. Dr. Jones got his doctorate in Leadership Education, and devoted his education and resources towards studying entrepreneurial education’s impact on young students.
Ralf Weiser
Award Type: Parent Advocate
School: Avon Grove Charter School
Quote: “It was a very harmonious experience. It was give and take on both sides— on the parents’ sides and on the administrations’ side.
Bio: When Ralf and his wife moved into a new school district with two young children, they researched the school choices available to them and found that the resources available at Avon Grove Charter: art, languages, music— would provide their children with a rich exposure of experiences. They quickly became involved in volunteering, and ultimately, Ralf joined the school board, serving on that board through the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond.
Jennifer Morrison
Award Type: Rising School Leader
School: Pennsylvania STEAM Academy
Quote: “I feel like I can deeply connect with kids and adults as well. And if I whittle it down — the kids know that I love and respect them. Sometimes I have to be the disciplinarian or the “meanie,” but at the end of the day, all my kids know that I love them and over the years, I have seen so many successes.”
Bio: Jennifer Morrison is the Principal and CEO of Pennsylvania STEAM Academy, a brand-new charter school in Harrisburg. With a background in psychology, Jennifer taught art for 16 years in the charter school system before spending a few years in the public system and ultimately joining Pennsylvania STEAM when they opened their doors two years ago.
Pat Hennessy
Award Type: Charter Lawyer
School: Philadelphia Area Charter Schools
Quote: “An education lawyer has a tangible result where you can actually see the impact that you’re having: thousands of children are being educated in charter school every year from all walks of life…and we’ve really moved the needle on the education that is provided, and that’s a really fulfilling part of what I do.”
Bio: Pat has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Charter Schools supporter. A founder and co-chair of Barton Gilman LLP, Pat Hennessy has been serving charter schools as counsel and representative for over two decades. Pat has also been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Commercial Litigation for two years in a row (2022-2023), and named a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” in Schools and Education for three consecutive years (2021-2023).
Jesse Topper
Award Type: Elected Official
School: Pennsylvania Charter Schools
Quote: “Our rule in government is to make sure that everyone has access to education. I can’t guarantee success for every kid, family, for every institution. But I can guarantee as a public policy maker that each student has access to the education that will enable them to live the American dream.”
Bio: Representative Topper is the Republican chair of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives education committee. Rep. Topper is passionate about making sure that every kid and family has access to education. He is now serving his fifth term in office, representing residents of Bedford and Fulton counties.
Steven Catanzarite
Award Type: Lifetime Achievement
School: Lincoln Park Performing School
Quote: “Charter schools are not so much about innovation as it is about renovation. Discovering things that may have been forgotten, bowled over by how large education systems can grow. So I think charter school systems are at their most innovative when they’re renovating.”
Bio: Steven has been involved in charter school advocacy and leadership since 2006, when he became involved in the founding of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, which was anchored by a performing arts charter school. He now serves as the founding Managing Director and CEO. Stephen is a writer, musician, and artist passionate about arts education.
Senator Anthony Williams
Award Type: Legislator
School: Pennsylvania Charter Schools
Quote: “The greatest success that I can see is literally right in front of me: when a young man or young woman who’s gone through these schools comes back, returns, and says if it wasn’t for this school, I wouldn’t have the type of life I have.”
Bio: Senator Anthony Williams has served Pennsylvania as a state senator of the 8th district since 1998. He served as an original change-maker of Pennsylvania’s charter school legislation, ensuring expanded options for families, and he has pushed to expand school choice through the Education Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs.
Join us for the 2023 PA Legacy Awards!
The 2023 PA Legacy Awards are here to celebrate outstanding individuals who have left a mark on their communities and schools.
Visit the Coalition site at https://pacharters.org/ to learn more about the 2023 PA Legacy Awards and the incredible individuals shaping a brighter tomorrow. Together, let’s amplify their voices and celebrate the pursuit of a better world through charter school education.
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