On Monday, March 25, Janet Pennington was inducted as the 18th member of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s (PSBA) Allwein Society.
The Allwein Society is a recognition program honoring individuals who are outstanding leaders and advocates on behalf of public schools and students. This prestigious honor was created in 2011 in memory of Timothy M. Allwein, a former PSBA staff member who exemplified the integrity, dedication and commitment to advance political action for the benefit of public education.
Pennington was nominated by Richard Pekar, Southeastern Greene School District (SGSD) superintendent; former State Representative Pam Snyder; and Christine Spiker, a former SGSD school board director. These colleagues cited “her exceptional leadership skills and her passionate advocacy” as a reason for her nomination.
In his nomination letter, Pekar said, “Mrs. Pennington has displayed remarkable leadership qualities, consistently advocating for policies and initiatives that benefit our students and schools.” He continued, “Her unwavering commitment, collaborative spirit and advocacy for education equality make her an invaluable asset to our school board and the community.”
The nomination letter from Rep. Snyder states, “The Allwein Society is a prestigious honor reserved for the most tenacious advocates for public education. Janet Pennington meets every definition.”
In addition to her support, Spiker’s nomination letter highlighted milestones in Pennington’s educational leadership journey. Pennington has been a teacher for nearly four decades and began her board service at SGSD in 2009. During her tenure, she has served as board president and vice president. She is actively involved with PSBA, serving for numerous years as the PSBA liaison to her board and delegate for her district at the association’s annual Delegate Assembly. Pennington has also attended several Advocacy Days and annual conferences. In 2023, she also served on PSBA’s Platform Committee.
In addition to these roles, Pennington has worked with state and federal representatives to raise awareness of issues impacting her district. She was also selected as an honoree for the Diligent Corporation’s Modern Governance 100 for Community Boards, which is a program dedicated to recognizing community governance leaders who are committed to driving positive organizational change.
In response to her induction, Janet said, “As a board member, my top priority is seeing that our students are provided with every educational opportunity possible to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. I take my board position very seriously because I know how much a quality education can change a student’s life. I am an advocate for our public school students, teachers, administrators and support staff. Together, we are difference makers!”
PSBA applauds Janet Pennington for her service and commitment to public education and public school students.
