Title...
Proclamation congratulating Dr. Gail D. Edwards for earning the 2014 Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award in Education.
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WHEREAS, Dr. Gail D. Edwards has served as the Chief Executive Officer/Principal of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School (ULGPCS) for the past 12 years, and has been a professional educator for 44 years with a variety of roles such as Educational Consultant, University Supervisor of Student Teachers, Chief of Community Outreach and Acting Superintendent for the Harrisburg School District, just to name a few; and
WHEREAS, as the CEO/Principal of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School, which serves Kindergarten through fifth grade students, Dr. Edwards scholars have achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the past 7 years, and during the 2013 year, the school ranked 85 out of 100 on the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile. Thanks to Dr. Edwards, the ULGPCS has a new state-of-the-art science lab, an edible school yard garden and a healthy living play area and through partnerships with the Heinz Endowments, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Fifth Third Bank and PNC, the school has increased learning opportunities for all students; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edwards has served as an educational diplomat for the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Omiya, Japan, as a Trustee for Millersville University and Bloomsburg University, as the Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools for the 2006-2007 school year, and as a citizen's advisory board member to the Allegheny County Regional Asset District; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edwards earned her Doctor of Education degree from Temple University, and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Alpha Omega graduate chapter, the International Reading Association, Pittsburgh Rotary, Phi Delta Kappa and Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the African American Chamber of Commerce;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council, on behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County, does hereby congratulate Dr. Gail D. Edwards as the recipient of the 2014 Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award in Education. Your commitment, faith, and courage serves as an inspiration to the residents of Allegheny County, and for this we commend you.