MAKING THE GRADE : US NEWS ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL RANKINGS
U
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S . News & World Report recently ranked the Best Pennsylvania Elementary and Middle Schools with Bower Hill Elementary ranking 2nd in the state and Pleasant Valley ranking 3rd among 1607 elementary schools in the Commonwealth . Peters Township Middle School ranked 13th overall among the 877 middle schools in Pennsylvania .
For each state , schools were assessed based on the number of students who scored proficient or advanced on the mathematics and
GET TO KNOW : MRS . ERIN WEBER
reading / language arts PSSA exams . Half of their proprietary ranking formula was the results themselves ; the other half was the results in the context of socioeconomic demographics .
Based on Math and Reading Proficiency scores alone , Bower Hill and Pleasant Valley tied for first place with a third local school .
In April 2021 , U . S . News also included Peters Township High School in the rankings of schools across the state , with PTHS coming in 11th overall . eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
In any visit to our schools you will encounter talented and dedicated individuals who work hard to make Peters Township one of the best Districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . In this issue , we would like everyone to Get to Know Mrs . Erin Weber , 6th grade English and Enrichment teacher at Peters Township Middle School . Erin and her colleagues have had some big changes this year as they moved to their new school , so we thought this was a great time to Get to Know Mrs . Weber !
What made you want to become a teacher ?
I actually always wanted to become an actress or do voiceover work , and I realized that I could meld both of those things with my love of readingand teach ! Teaching allows me to educationally perform and really allows the kids to understand that silliness is inherent in all of us and it ’ s OK to let it out .
What other interesting jobs have you held ?
My favorite job from college was as an employee at the Student Book Store at Penn State . Obviously , I loved being around books and all that PSU gear , but I also got to dress up as Curious George every now and again an entertain people on
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the street . I also love to sing and had a few years where I sang for wedding ceremonies or church services .
What is your favorite thing to do outside of school ?
Outside of school I switch my teacher hat out for my mom hat to my three children and being with them is my number one favorite thing , but a close second would be my side job as a fitness instructor at Mecka in Mt . Lebanon . I love the fitness industry and helping people reach their health goals on a more personal level .
What is your favorite part about the new PTMS building ?
I LOVE all of the activity and energy in a middle school building ! It ’ s a different feel when kids get to switch each class period and I think it ’ s such a good thing for their growing minds and bodies .
What do you wish every student would know after their time in class with you ?
I ’ d love for them to know that inside all of us grown up teachers , there ’ s still a middle school kid who truly understands how challenging this time in life can be . We feel awkward and strange sometimes , too , but my classroom is , and will always be , a place where you can be your weird , wonderful selves .