HERSHEY, Pa. — Emily Gallo, a teacher at the Milton Hershey School, was awarded the Educator of the Year Award at the 2024 Coalition of Residential Excellence (CORE) conference.
Gallo, an English teacher at MHS for more than 20 years, was given the award for her dedication to classroom excellence and her efforts to improve the lives of low-income children.
"Education is transformational for the teacher and the student," Gallo said in a press release. "Every year, my students and colleagues help me learn more about myself. I also firmly believe in active participation in learning. I try to make that happen physically, so it translates to the mental and emotional side of education."
While teaching her English classes, Gallo incorporates games and dramatic performances to bring written words to life, including encouraging students to "dance" through their essays. Gallo stated that teaching English is a way to "help people discover themselves."
Gallo is a mentor inside and outside the classroom as she stays connected with students who have graduated from MHS. Her support for students while they overcome challenges after high school hasn't gone unrecognized.
"MHS graduates do a great job of creating success on their terms," Gallo said. "I want to be that person who is always there for them."
CORE holds an annual conference that honors "top educators as part of its mission to promote educational professionalism and best practices to strengthen children from under-resourced and overburdened families."
"Emily is a dynamic teacher, outstanding role model and a deserving winner of this award," said James Turner, president of the CORE Board of Directors. "She consistently sets a high standard in and out of the classroom, and her students are lifelong beneficiaries of her expertise."
While being a Schuylkill Haven native, Gallo attended Penn State University to pursue a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in humanities.
