The Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (PAFCS) presented Indiana Area School District School Director Tom Harley with the highly selective "Friend of FCS Award" during its annual conference, held April 10-11 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
The "Friend of FCS Award" is an honor presented to only one individual in Pennsylvania each year, recognizing that Pennsylvanian for their outstanding contribution to and support of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) profession and/or exceptional service within the interests of the Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Mr. Harley was nominated by Dr. Sally McCombie, President of the Indiana Area Board of School Directors and retired IUP professor, and Sarah Juart, an FCS teacher at Indiana Area Senior High School.
"Mr. Harley has been an instrumental advocate and driving force behind the success of our Educators Rising and Preschool Laboratory programs," noted Ms. Juart. She added that his "vision, support, and expertise have been invaluable through the launching of our program," and that his leadership was pivotal in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Educators Rising program.
Dr. McCombie shared the history behind Mr. Harley's commitment to the program. After a tour of the senior high school’s facilities, school directors noted that the longtime child development and preschool classroom was deficient for its purpose. It lacked a sink, forcing a teacher to haul water for children’s handwashing after art projects, and there was no dedicated bathroom, requiring young children to be accompanied down the hallway to a restroom shared with high school students. “Mr. Harley, recognizing the value of our program, became the catalyst for change,” Dr. McCombie stated.
Mr. Harley’s advocacy transformed the program from its tiny, inadequate room into a beautiful, new facility that is now part of a valuable partnership with the Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC). The improved preschool program now serves as a model for other institutions across the state and provides high school students with dual enrollment credits for education-related post-secondary programs.
"The results of Mr. Harley’s dedication are evident in the smiles and success stories of students, families, and educators," Ms. Juart affirmed. "The preschoolers are thriving in a safe, engaging environment. High school students from Indiana and surrounding districts are gaining authentic, career-building experiences.”