A Jim Thorpe Area School District administrator has been named one of only 46 educators from across Pennsylvania selected for the 2025-26 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellowship, a program that aims to advance reading achievement and strengthen the educator workforce.

Among those selected is Avery Hower, a former special education teacher and current high school assistant principal in Jim Thorpe.

Teach Plus Pennsylvania announced the new cohort on Aug. 25, citing the urgency of its mission.

“Fourth grade marks the pivotal point where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, yet only one in three Pennsylvania fourth graders are proficient readers,” the organization stated. Its goal is to make Pennsylvania the fastest-improving state in fourth grade reading.

Hower said the fellowship selection process was challenging.

“When I applied, it required recommendations from administrators and colleagues, followed by a two-part interview process,” she said. “It was very grueling, but worth it in the long run. I was excited and shocked to be chosen, especially since there were hundreds of applicants. The senior fellows who interviewed me said the decisions were very difficult.”

Hower, who has worked in education for nearly a decade, said one focus will be addressing teacher retention.

“Education creates all other careers, but teacher turnover continues to be overlooked,” she said. “As a policy fellow, I want to work on retaining teachers while ensuring students and staff are supported and provided with equal opportunities to grow. I’m part of the ‘Reimagining the Teacher Role’ group, which will look at ways to create new leadership opportunities for educators and explore how teachers might take on responsibilities that currently fall to principals.”

The fellowship builds on recent advocacy by Teach Plus. In 2024, fellows and alumni played a role in the passage of Act 135 to advance the science of reading and in the development of a new adequacy formula to address Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system.

Emily Sagor, Teach Plus Pennsylvania policy manager, said the fellows bring essential classroom experience to statewide discussions.

“For every Pennsylvania student to succeed, we need educators leading policy changes because educators are closest to students and see what works in classrooms every day,” Sagor said. “At a time when state resources are constrained, federal funding is uncertain and our legislature appears ever more divided, the evidence-based, bipartisan solutions Teach Plus PA Policy Fellows are known for are more critical than ever. These 46 outstanding educators will work alongside lawmakers from both chambers and parties to prioritize literacy as the foundation for student success.”

Hower said it is important to make sure Jim Thorpe and Carbon County are represented in broader policy discussions.

“I’m excited to put Jim Thorpe on the map with this fellowship,” Hower said. “I plan to meet with policymakers and leaders to make sure educators’ needs across Pennsylvania are being addressed. I’ll bring stories, experiences and hardships from Jim Thorpe teachers to the table so lawmakers understand the challenges we face. Our first event is Nov. 19 in Harrisburg, where we’ll be discussing policies and holding open conversations about improvements.”

Legislators, she added, need to hear directly from educators.

“Right now, teachers across Pennsylvania want to be heard on retention, certification and equitable funding,” she said. “Lawmakers often want to hear stories about student success, but the real impact comes from explaining what students cannot do because of low funding, unequal opportunities or a lack of educators.”

She added that she hopes the fellowship will allow her to learn from educators in other parts of the state.

“I want to engage in meaningful conversations about what’s happening in center-city schools compared to small towns like Jim Thorpe,” Hower said. “I’m looking forward to talking with legislators at the Capitol in May 2026 about bridging funding gaps and improving teacher retention across Pennsylvania.”

The 2025-26 fellows represent communities across the state, from Pittsburgh and Trafford in the west to Allentown, Jim Thorpe and Kutztown in the east.

Other fellows said they are eager to get started.

Teach Plus said fellows will receive training in policy analysis, advocacy, research and communications. Each was selected for excellence in teaching and their ability to advocate for meaningful change.

For Hower, the opportunity is both recognition and responsibility.

“I want to bring educators’ stories and experiences to the table so conversations about how to improve education in Pennsylvania are rooted in reality,” she said. “That’s how we can retain teachers and build a stronger system for students and staff.”