The Pennsylvania affiliate of the Council on American Private Education (PACAPE) announced the finalists and winners of the inaugural Teacher and Administrator Recognition Awards at a ceremony at the state Capitol in Harrisburg May 7, 2014.The celebration was part of a special day in Harrisburg that included a rally in support of the successful Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. These recognition awards were open to any private school teacher or administrator from across the Commonwealth. “The participants were nominated by their peers in the profession. The finalists were then chosen by a diverse group of professional educators representing the private school community at both the secondary and collegiate levels”, noted Dr. D. Merle Skinner, co-coordinator of PACAPE and ACSIPA coordinator. “We are so pleased to recognize these (educators) for their outstanding achievement!” said Sean McAleer, co-coordinator of PACAPE. “Through their leadership and commitment to quality private school education, they exemplify the values and the message of PACAPE.” PACAPE provides a framework for communication and cooperation among non-public pre-K through secondary schools in Pennsylvania. The council facilitates the vital role of private schools and their significant contributions to education and promoting the common good in Pennsylvania. PACAPE advocates the right of private schools to fulfill their unique mission and the rights of parents to educate their children in the schools of their choice. It also fosters the participation of everyone in the private school community in shaping Pennsylvania’s education agenda. Representing approximately 85 percent of the students in private schools in Pennsylvania, PACAPE established the awards to elevate the status of private education in the eyes of the communities they serve as well as recognizing the outstanding teachers and administrators in private education in Pennsylvania. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to recognize the following winners and finalists of member schools: Barbara Shughartof West Shore Christian Academy for receiving the Primary School Teacher Recognition Award. Shughart graduated from Lancaster Bible College in 1982 with a B.S. in elementary education and has been teaching first grade for over 15 years, the last 10 years being at West Shore Christian Academy. Cathy Sporyof Johnstown Christian School for receiving the Early Education Administrator Recognition Award. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Spory's teaching experiences span preschool through community college classes for 25 years and serves as Elementary Principal. Ashley Conzo of Great Commission School for being a finalist for the Early Education Teacher Recognition Award. Conzo has been teaching kindergarten for four years at Great Commission Christian School in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Margaret Williamsof Mt. Calvary Christian School for being a finalist for the Secondary School Teacher Recognition Award. Williams has taught high school English at Mount Calvary Christian School for thirteen years. Before teaching at Mount Calvary, she and husband served as missionaries in Haiti for 15 years, where she taught English at Quisqueya Christian School. Terri Miquelof Plumstead Christian School for being a finalist for the Primary School Administrator Recognition Award. Miquel holds a B.A. in English and Elementary Education from Moravian College, as well as an M. Ed. in Reading and an M.S. in Instructional Technology from Lehigh University. Terri has been employed as a fourth grade teacher at the Lower School of Plumstead Christian School for 21 years then as the technology coordinator, and for the past year as the Lower School principal. Zonie Jacksonof First Love Christian Academy for being a finalist for the Secondary School Administrator Recognition Award. Jackson received her bachelor's degree in English Education from West Liberty State College, West Liberty, WV and her Master's Degree in Christian Counseling and Psychology from North East Ohio Bible College, East Liverpool, OH. Jackson currently serves as the Dean of Students at First Love Christian Academy. Congratulations to all!