• Feb. 25, 2019

    Boyce teacher honored at statewide conference

    Kelly Pascarella A Boyce Middle School teacher was recently honored with the Promising Practitioners Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education. Sixth grade English language arts teacher Kelly Pascarella was recognized on Monday, Feb. 25 at the PAMLE 2019 Conference in State College.

    According to PAMLE’s website, the Promising Practitioners Award “is presented to teachers who are just beginning their middle school careers. These beginning teachers have made a positive impact on both their school and community. They incorporate effective middle level practices in their everyday teaching.”

    Mrs. Pascarella was nominated for the award by Dan O’Rourke, Boyce Middle School principal.

    “One of the most important jobs principals have is to hire outstanding staff members,” Mr. O’Rourke said. “Our goal is to continue to bring in staff members who are positive, student-centered, innovative, collaborative, hard-working and who exemplify the middle school philosophy. Mrs. Pascarella certainly checks all of those boxes. Additionally, her classroom environment and knack to find unique ways to encourage students to read are exemplary.”

    Mrs. Pascarella, a member of Team Predator, previously served as the elementary gifted coordinator and elementary teacher in the Mt. Lebanon School District for eight years before joining the Boyce faculty in August 2018. She holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the Pennsylvania State University and her graduate degree in educational leadership from California University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Pascarella will begin a doctoral program in education leadership and administration this fall at Point Park University.

    “We’re proud of what she’s been able to accomplish at Boyce in less than one year,” Mr. O’Rourke added. “Mrs. Pascarella is a very driven educator, has work that has been published, has started her own education business, and is already speaking about the possibility of obtaining her doctoral degree in the near future. She’s been a wonderful addition to the Boyce staff and the Upper St. Clair School District.”

    A published author, Mrs. Pascarella wrote the children’s book, “The Climbing Tree,” and founded www.ElementaryBlueprint.com that provides teachers and families with resources and guidance for elementary learners.

    The PAMLE 2019 Conference was held Feb. 24-26, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals Conference. PAMLE is the leading advocate for middle level education in Pennsylvania, promoting and enhancing the role of middle level education by promoting best instructional practices for young adolescents.

    Last year, Boyce Middle School teachers Amy Homer and Morgan Olsen were also honored with the Promising Practitioners Award from PAMLE.