BETHLEHEM, PA (April 2018) – Freedom High School teacher, Amber Chiafulio, was recently named as one of 12 finalists for the 2019 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award.
Chiafulio will move onto the next step of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Award which includes submitting a video showing both a classroom-teaching episode along with a lesson plan.
“I am extremely passionate about my vocation to be a teacher,” Chiafulio said. “Day to day, I try to give my best to my students as a personal investment in each of their futures. I work hard to meet their individual needs by submerging myself in the latest research and the most progressive instructional methods.”
Chiafulio was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award by Freedom High School Assistant Principal, Maureen Leeson.
“I witness first hand Amber’s commitment to students, dedication to the art of teaching, and professionalism,” said Leeson. “She independently pursued her own professional development, and transformed her classroom into student-centric, technology-rich, and collaborative learning environment that allows students to sit in the driver seat and become independent learners.”
Chiafulio graduated from Cedar Crest College with both a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in secondary education. She has worked at Freedom High School as a biology teacher for all 11 years of her career. This past summer, Chiafulio enrolled at Lehigh University with intent to complete a second master’s in instructional technology by 2020. She lives in Bethlehem with her family including her two children, Spencer age 5, and Emelyn age 2.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will announce the 2019 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year in a special awards ceremony December 2018.
Asked on what she thinks about the possibility of winning, Chiafulio said, “To win the competition? I can’t even imagine how I would feel. It’s so wonderful to be appreciated and respected as a teacher leader in my district. I’m proud to represent the Bethlehem Area School District and to have their full support behind me as I continue in the selection process.”
Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by PDE and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year. Nominations for Teacher of the Year can be made by educators, parents, students, and community members to honor an outstanding educator. The nomination form, along with additional information about the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year program, can be found by visiting: http://nnstoy.org/chapter/penn
About the Bethlehem Area School District
The Bethlehem Area School District, in partnership with the home and community, is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment in which each student will attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become a productive citizen and lifelong learner in our technologically demanding and culturally diverse society.
Information provided to TVL by:
Barbara Clymer
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
Bethlehem Area School District
1516 Sycamore Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017
