Burrell educator might not be Pa.'s teacher of the year, but she's still a local star

A Burrell School District geography teacher might have not won this year’s Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award, but she’s still a proud educator who is held in high esteem by her colleagues.

Ashlee Peters-Roberts, a teacher at Charles A. Huston Middle School, was named one of 12 finalists for the annual award earlier this year. Although she didn’t win the award, she considered the nomination to be an honor — and those who know her have nothing but praise for how she does her job.

“We may have not won the award, but the fact we have made it this far from a little borough is a really big deal,” Peters-Roberts said. “I always want to make sure that everyone knows that being recognized is not about me. It’s about the sixth grade team and the work we do together to meet the needs of all the students in sixth grade.”

As a nominee, Peters-Roberts automatically becomes a member of the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Program, which elevates teachers and students to ensure the best education possible throughout the state.

Her methods, she said, involve giving students voices in their education and personalizing the experience.

Travis Welch, the assistant principal of the middle school who has known Peters-Roberts since they were students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, called her “an incredible human being.”

“She is selfless in really everything she does,” Welch said. “It’s always from a ‘How can I help you?’ perspective. It’s easy for us to see why kids love her because she’s always trying to understand before responding. It’s very much from a student choice perspective. She’s kind of a master at making sure they’re going to have a particular outcome. She’s very good at giving students a voice and choice.”

Brian Ferra, principal at Charles A. Huston Middle School, also praised Peters-Roberts’ dedication to the school and said she is still a star in the school’s — and students’ — eyes despite not winning the award.

“When you walk into her classroom and see that the students are excited and eager to share what they are learning and doing, that is the only award you need,” Ferra said. “Ashlee has never taught for the recognition of being nominated for awards (she’s actually very humble and prefers to go unnoticed). … She teaches because that is her passion and she cares about her students. We were honored to have Ashlee represent the Burrell School District as a finalist for PA Teacher of the Year.”

Before naming the winner, a teacher in Beaver County, Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty also praised all of the finalists.

“Our commonwealth’s learners depend on engaged, enthusiastic teachers to make a high-quality education both approachable and accessible to all, and this cohort of educators has set the bar for their dedication to their students, schools and communities,” he said.