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High school music teacher Suellen Engelhard has been recognized among teachers from more than 140 partnering schools for her “excellent” teaching work at the Sto-Rox School District.
The 2021 High School Teacher of the Year Award was awarded to Engelhard by Pittsburgh-based non-profit, The Education Partnership.
“I am extremely grateful to be recognized by The Education Partnership, which is a local organization that helps my students,” Engelhard said. “It is a great feeling to know that my work over so many years is recognized in the local community.”
Engelhard said she was inspired to become a music teacher during her student years at Montour High School. She has taught at the neighboring Sto-Rox district for 24 years and is married to Ben Engelhard, a high school Spanish teacher at the district.
“My [Montour] band directors, Clem Rolin and Rusty Pontiere, were inspirational in sharing their love of music with me and I wanted to be able to share my love of music with my students,” she said.
As marching band director, Engelhard has raised thousands of dollars for student music supplies and has overseen trips to PNC Park and the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to give my students opportunities to develop their love of music and showcase their talents in performance,” she said.