You are the Light is a recognition program in the Allentown School District that celebrates staff and students. Each month, the district nominates and selects staff and students in three categories -- trendsetters, quiet heroes/heroines, and community catalysts. The district randomly selects some of the honorees each month to be featured on LehighValleyNews.com. Here are those selected for March:
Ashley Trimboli, Harrison Morton Middle School
Teacher Ashley Trimboli was recognized as a classroom catalyst.
Staff members who are classroom catalysts contribute to student success by closing achievement gaps, measuring progress/using assessments, implementing interventions, or student engagement.
Ms. Trimboli's colleagues describe her as innovative, engaging and professional. Her classroom is an exciting place to be where she works hard to engage students in fun projects and keep them on task.
To celebrate Black History Month, she created a wax museum with her students who got to personify important figures in African American culture and history. Staff and students loved the experience!
Leeyani Morales, Ritter Elementary School
Leeyani Morales is a fifth-grader at Ritter Elementary School who was selected as a classroom catalyst for her school.
Student classroom/community catalysts advocate for their peers by using their voices and talents to create change within their school communities.
Her teachers and friends describe her as someone who is happy, outgoing and always trying her best. She has a positive impact on her fellow classmates and has learned to put on a brave face when trying new things or faced with challenges in the classroom.
In memoriam: Jacqueline Gardner and Sonja Kustafik
The school district also recognized two members of the Trexler Middle School community who have passed away this school year — Jacqueline Gardner and Sonja Kustafik. Both Jackie and Sonja were outstanding, passionate, loving, incredible educators who had an incredible impact on so many lives. Their families were invited to participate in this event and have left a legacy at Trexler Middle School.