The Foundation honors an Elementary and Secondary Educator of the Year each year. The teachers are nominated by their students, co-workers, parents and community members.
We also have an Impact Award to recognizes any staff person, that is not a teacher, that makes a positive impact on students or co-workers.
Elementary Educator of the Year
2026
Ann Franco, 2nd Grade Teacher, Frankstown Elementary
From left to right: Curtis Whitesel (Hollidaysburg Area School District Superintendent), Deborah Faith (Foundation Director), Joy Bell (Accounting Operations Director),Tiffany Stuckey (Foundation Board), Dr. Penne Edgell (Foundation President), Ann Franco (Teacher of the Year Winner), Ben Caldwell (Human Resources Director), Amy Van Kleunen (Foundation Board), William Padamonsky (Foundation Vice President), William Madden (Frankstown Principal), Holly Wertz (Fiscal Coordinator).
Ann has always been a team player right from the beginning. When I think about impact on students, helpful, thoughtful, and caring attitude, and displaying HASD values, I think about Mrs. Franco. As a co-worker, she goes above and beyond to ensure we are supplied with the right materials, makes sure we feel supported, and always willing to step up and help no matter what. To her students, she is kind and patient, always thinking of their well-being, and treating them with respect. Her positive attitude is always shown throughout her work. Ann Franco has dedicated her entire career into being a great teacher, friend, co-worker, and peer. She is very deserving of this honor.
(Taylor Ostinowsky - Co-Worker)
Secondary Educator of the Year
2026
Bridget Zimmerman, Math Teacher, Senior High
From left to right: Kevin McCloskey (Senior High Vice Principal), Breanne Vinios (Senior High Principal), Holly Wertz (Fiscal Coordinator),Curtis Whitesel (Hollidaysburg Area School District Superintendent), Joy Bell (Accounting Operations Director), Bridget Zimmerman (Teacher of the Year Winner), Amy Van Kleunen (Foundation Board), Ben Caldwell (Human Resources Director), William Padamonsky (Foundation Vice President), Dr. Penne Edgell (Foundation President), Tiffany Stuckey (Foundation Board), Deborah Faith (Foundation Director).
Bridget is one of the hardest working people I know. She spends countless hours preparing in-depth lessons for her students. She is willing to take on any new challenge that she believes will benefit her students, no matter how much time it will require for her to put it together. Throughout my 6 years teaching here, I have only ever heard positive remarks about her class. Students may say it is difficult, but they always say Mrs. Zimmerman is amazing and really willing to help them learn. In addition to her courses, Bridget spends countless hours leading the SAP program at the senior high. Our students, faculty, and staff depend on Bridget to be dependable, caring, and dedicated to our students’ best interests. Bridget has helped encourage me as an educator when days have been difficult, and she has been a wonderful mentor during my beginning years of teaching at the senior high. I know she supports many different people in the building, and we all rely on her knowledge and advice. Bridget is certainly deserving of the Teacher of the Year award and has shown this day after day to her students and her colleagues.
(Colleen Ciprich - Co-Worker)
Impact Award
The Impact Award, implemented in 2019, is designed to recognize an individual in our district that has a positive impact on our students but who is not an educator. This opportunity is open to paraprofessionals, custodians, food service providers, etc.
2026 Elementary Impact Award: Jennifer Newfield, Speech Therapist, Frankstown Elementary.
From the bottom to the top: William Madden (Frankstown Principal), Jennifer Newfield (Impact Winner), Amy Van Kleunen (Foundation Board), Tiffany Stuckey (Foundation Board), Deborah Faith (Foundation Director), Dr. Penne Edgell (Foundation President), William Padamonsky (Foundation Vice President), Joy Bell (Accounting Operations Director), Holly Wertz (Fiscal Coordinator), Curtis Whitesel (Hollidaysburg Area School District Superintendent), Ben Caldwell (Human Resources Director).
Speech, or how to pronounce words so you can be understood, I believe is sometimes taken for granted. I had a speech impediment. I could not pronounce R and S sounds, which in turn affected me in ways that I can not put into words. I got tired of repeating myself when someone could not understand me, didn’t volunteer, afraid I would say it wrong. I was blessed to attend Kindergarten at Frankstown and have Mrs. Newfield. She literally helped me to speak, and worked with me several times a week.
Mrs. Newfield has huge impacts on students, she is patient, kind, and an amazing asset to our district. What more can you do to contribute to a student’s life, then helping them speak. Giving them the tools to have a voice, helping them speak. I am now a senior, and I think of her often. I talk all the time (ask my mom) , just completed my graduation interview, spoke clearly, have no issues talking in class now, play multiple sports, sing in the chorus, and am about to head off to college. I know she doesn’t do her job for recognition, but she deserves it. If you do choose her I would love to be there to support and surprise her.
(Kameron Krug – Student)
2026 Secondary Impact Award:
Amy Smearman, Athletic Trainer, Senior High School.
From left to right: Deborah Faith (Foundation Director), Breanne Vinios (Senior High Principal), Ben Caldwell (Human Resources Director), Curtis Whitesel (Hollidaysburg Area School District Superintendent), Joy Bell (Accounting Operations Director), Holly Wertz (Fiscal Coordinator), Amy Smearman (Impact Winner), Dr. Penne Edgell (Foundation President), Tiffany Stuckey (Foundation Board), Amy Van Kleunen (Foundation Board), William Padamonsky (Foundation Vice President)
The typical athletic trainer plays a role in the success of the athletes of their school by evaluating injuries, providing treatment and rehabilitation plans when needed. Our athletic trainer, Amy Smearman, does that and manages sprains, concussions, fractures and overuse injuries and helps students recover safely and return to playing in a safe and timely fashion. Sure Amy is usually the first line of care and plays a vital role in the health and well-being of our athletes but she goes well above what you would call typical behavior for an athletic trainer. She does more than tape ankles and ice injuries. Amy educates our students on injury prevention, proper nutrition, hydration, and lifelong healthy habits. She monitors not only physical but mental well being and recognizes when a student may need additional support. She builds trust with support, becoming a consistent and reliable adult presence. Year after year several students sign up to work with Amy to be Student Athletic Trainers. These students not only learn under Amy's guidance what an athletic trainer does, but also to be kind, patient, reliable and trustworthy. All qualities she has and exemplifies. She is a great role model to these students and everyone who is around her and sees her. There are many times Amy has to be quick thinking and jump into action while attending to injuries and assessing situations. She saves lives. Amy is involved in our community, The Spencer Davis Foundation, American Heart Association, she wants to get AEDs for all of our police cars, first responders, schools etc., (to name a few) and she truly cares about our students and community. She works long and hard. Amy is here late into the night and over the weekends. She never complains and always has a smile on her face. If you have ever had the opportunity to meet Amy you know that she is always happy and positive and she gives more than 100%. She impacts not just our athletes, not just our school, not just our district, but our entire community. Amy deserves the 2025-26 Impact Award.
(Karen Pietrolungo – Co Worker)