Eighty Four, PA -The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) is pleased to announce that it has selected Dr. Trisha Craig to receive its annual Dr. Howard Jack Outstanding Public Educator Award. The award recognizes a local public educator who has displayed the ability to inspire children from all backgrounds and abilities, who has earned the respect of colleagues, students and parents, and who is actively engaged in the community.
Dr. Craig acquired her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Master of Education in Administrative and Policy Studies, and Doctorate of Education in School Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh. Her Pennsylvania Secondary Education Certification is from Gannon University in Erie.
She began her career in Fort Cherry School District as a high school English teacher before transitioning into administration as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction. Currently, as Principal of Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School, she has direct responsibility for all students in grades 7-12.
Dr. Craig is President of the Southwest Region of the Pennsylvania Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD) and also serves on a number of other educational advisory councils. In the past ten years, she has secured more than $1 million in grants for the district, a number of which are STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
By forming strong relationships with the community, she has developed outreach programs with post-secondary institutions, local organizations, and local corporations to ensure graduating seniors can make a successful transition to life after high school. Additionally, with the assistance of Range Resources, Dr. Craig helped to launch the Fort Cherry Food Bank, which operates out of the elementary school.
Graduating senior Regis Curtis expressed his admiration for Dr. Craig’s dedication: “She exemplifies every quality that a successful and passionate academic administrator needs. In fact, she exceeds in her duties and makes efforts to bring students into the workings of the school. Awards are meant for passionate people who put their heart and soul into work worth doing, and Dr. Craig undeniably, as Theodore Roosevelt said, strives to ‘work hard at work worth doing.’ ”
Dr. Craig’s passion for education has impacted hundreds of students and numerous teachers, and at the end of the day she says, that’s what is most important.
“It’s nice to get recognition, and of course, this is a huge honor for me. But I don’t need accolades to know I’m doing a good job – I do it because it needs to be done. My satisfaction comes from seeing the kids and teachers being successful.”
The Dr. Howard Jack Outstanding Public Educator Award will be presented to her at the WCCF’s annual Legacy Luncheon on Friday, May 17. In her honor, the Foundation will award a $1,000 grant to provide flexible seating options in personalized learning spaces at Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School.
About the WCCF
The WCCF promotes and facilitates local philanthropy and is the largest publicly supported grant-making foundation headquartered in Washington County. Cumulatively, the Foundation has awarded more than $14 million in grants and scholarships. To learn more, please visit www.wccf.net.