School District of Lancaster

This week's staff shoutout goes to Amanda Felix, Dean of Students, at King Elementary School Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Amanda moved to Lancaster as a teenager and graduated from Hempfield High School in 2007. She earned her degree from Shippensburg University in 2011. Amanda's connection to King Elementary goes far beyond her professional qualifications—it's her second family, and she loves seeing the students' faces each day. From her years as a kindergarten, ELD, and fifth-grade teacher to her current role as Dean of Students, Amanda understands the importance of meaningful connection. She strives to help students excel academically while also growing emotionally and mentally. That is why she created a restorative space this school year—where students can solve problems, set goals, and learn strategies for managing their emotions. Amanda's favorite part of her job? The students. "They have become my family, and I love seeing their faces every day, helping create a space where they feel safe," she says. Her passion for our district's diversity and embracing differences shines through in her work. “Ms. Felix consistently sets high standards for students, but she balances that with compassion, always being ready to listen or offer a warm hug,” according to one of her colleagues. "Her ability to combine excellence with care is what makes her such an incredible leader." Her colleague went on, “Throughout her years of experience, it's become clear that Ms. Felix understands that meaningful connection with students is vital. She not only promotes academic skills and success, but she consistently teaches students to be both mentally and emotionally healthy, and she always welcomes them to 'be human.' She sets a high standard but is also readily available to lend a listening ear and give a welcome hug when needed. That balance of pursuing excellence while providing compassion is what makes her such a wonderful Dean of Students.” Thank you, Amanda, for being a champion of Health & Wellness and your love for our students. You’re a true leader, and we’re so lucky to have you and grateful for all that you do! #sdolpa #sdolproud #lancasterpa #community #education #strongertogether

On this National Custodian Day, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to the incredible custodial team throughout the district who works to ensure our facilities are clean, safe, and ready for learning each and every day. From classrooms to hallways, cafeterias to gyms, your hard work helps create the welcoming environment our students need to thrive. Your work behind the scenes doesn't go unnoticed—we appreciate everything you do to support our schools, staff, and students. Because of you, our schools are brighter and better places to learn! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #strongertogether #teamwork

At the School District of Lancaster, we know that education is about more than just academics—it's about nurturing every student’s potential. Meet John Jones, Student Support Specialist, whose passion and commitment are helping shape the future for our students. We have plenty of job choices, but at SDoL, we offer jobs that matter. If you’re ready to join a team that is making a difference in the lives of our students, consider a position with us. Apply now and help us continue to create an environment where every student can reach their full potential! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #lancasterpa #education #teamwork #strongertogether

Our students at Buehrle Academywere met with smiles and high-fives from a group of community leaders—our Champions for Our Youth. We believe in building a community of support, where every student feels valued and uplifted. Our Champions remind us that we’re all in this together, creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you to our Champions for showing up for our students! #SDoLPA #SDoLproud #lancasterpa #community #strongertogether

At the School District of Lancaster board meeting on Tuesday, Sept 24,, we took time to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact of our Community School Directors and partner agencies during Community Schools Directors Week! These passionate leaders work to ensure that our schools are safe, supportive, and thriving environments for every student. Their dedication to bridging school and community partnerships helps create opportunities and resources that transform the lives of our students and families. Thank you to all our Community School Directors for your invaluable contributions! We also proudly honored two School Board Directors, Robin Goodson and Kareena Rios, for their 5 years of service to the School District of Lancaster. Their commitment, leadership, and advocacy for public education have made a lasting impact on our district and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On behalf of the Governing Board of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, we were thrilled to present them with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their dedication and hard work. Thank you, Robin Goodson and Kareena Rios, for your continuous service, and thank you to our Community School Directors for your transformative efforts. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #lancasterpa #education #partnership #communityaction #strongertogether

The School District of Lancaster is thrilled and proud to announce that Wickersham Elementary School has been named a 2025 RULER Spotlight School by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence! This prestigious designation highlights our school’s exceptional dedication to creating a supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environment through the implementation of RULER. Wickersham is the only school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to receive this honor. Through the RULER approach, we’ve embraced social and emotional learning (SEL) as a core part of our curriculum. By teaching students to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions, we’ve seen tremendous growth, not only in their emotional well-being but also in their academic performance. As a RULER Spotlight School, Wickersham will serve as a model for more than 5,000 schools globally, inspiring others to prioritize emotional well-being and social-emotional learning. Read the full story on our website! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #Lancasterpa #education #community #strongertogether

This week's staff shoutout goes to Melissa Corrigan, Instructional Coach, at Carter and MacRae Elementary who has dedicated 32 years to nurturing and educating our students. Melissa’s journey began in 1993, teaching bilingual 3rd graders for five years, followed by 16 years of inspiring 4th graders, and then returning to 3rd grade for another five years. Now in her sixth year as the instructional coach, she has seamlessly transitioned into this vital role, where she passionately supports our teachers in enhancing instructional practices and fostering student growth. Melissa's passion for education is evident in everything she does. She finds joy in supporting teachers as they enhance instructional practices and ultimately foster student growth. Her belief that Carter & MacRae feels like home reflects the strong sense of community she has cultivated alongside her incredible colleagues, who she considers family. In addition to her role at Carter & MacRae, Melissa is also the assistant swim coach at McCaskey, where she shares her love for working with teenagers and brings over 20 years of experience in coaching. Her impact goes beyond the classroom; she also teaches swim lessons at home, making waves in the lives of many young swimmers. This year, one of her proudest moments was facilitating two summer book studies, empowering teachers to implement what they learned in their classrooms. Witnessing their successes has been one of her most rewarding moments, highlighting her dedication to continuous improvement and student achievement. A graduate of Penns Manor Area School District, West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Melissa holds a master’s degree in school counseling. Melissa exemplifies our SDoL value of Collaboration by fostering connections, sharing resources, and supporting everyone around her. Thank you, Ms. Corrigan, for all that you do for our students and staff! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #LancasterPA #Education #strongertogether

🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟 Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of students with diverse learning needs? Our team is looking for multiple positions in our Special Education department! #TogetherWeCan #SpecialEducation #JobsThatMatter #SDoLPROUD

Behind every successful school district is a dedicated HR team working tirelessly to support our mission of creating a more equitable and inclusive school system. The School District of Lancaster's Office of Talent and Employee Engagement (OTEE) is filled with passionate, committed professionals who believe in making a difference for every child in our community. Thank you for all that you do! You have many job choices, but here at SDOL, we offer jobs that truly matter. Whether you're shaping the future as a teacher or providing essential support, you're part of a mission that’s bigger than all of us — the future of our community’s children. Together, we can make a difference! If you’re ready to join a mission-driven team with immediate openings in leadership, teaching, and support roles, visit our website and explore the opportunities to become a part of our family. #SDoLPA #SDoLproud #HR #strongertogether #teamwork #community

Today, we celebrate National Food Service Workers Day by recognizing the incredible contributions of our dedicated food service team! These hardworking individuals ensure our students receive nutritious meals each day, playing a vital role in supporting the well-being and success of our district. From early mornings to lunchtime rushes, their commitment to providing quality service never goes unnoticed. Please join us in thanking our food service heroes for their tireless efforts and positive impact on our school community! #SDoLPA #SDoLProud #Community #strongertogether