Milton Hershey School Teacher Named as Educator of the Year

Since she was a young girl, Milton Hershey School Senior Division English Teacher Emily Gallo has been passionate about providing students from low-income families with life-changing opportunities. More than 20 years after beginning her MHS career, Gallo’s peers recognized the difference she is making by awarding her the 2024 Coalition of Residential Excellence (CORE) Catherine Hershey Award for Educator of the Year.

Milton Hershey School Teacher Emily Gallo Receives 2024 CORE Catherine Hershey Award for Educator of the Year

Gallo’s family is full of teachers, so she always knew education could be transformational.

“I was right, but what I didn’t realize when I was young was that education is transformational for the teacher and student,” she said. “Every year, my students and colleagues help me learn more about myself.”

Gallo joined the MHS team in 2001 as a student-teacher. The lifelong Pennsylvania resident learned about the school through her education at Penn State University.

“As soon as I stepped on this campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be,” she said. “I just fell in love with the students and the mission.”

Gallo teaches English because she believes the humanities help people discover themselves. As a part of her classes, Gallo helps her students bring written words to life through dramatic performances. Walking into one of her classes and seeing students dancing through an essay or playing vocabulary games is not unusual.

“I firmly believe in active participation in learning,” she said. “I try to make that happen physically, so it translates to the mental and emotional.”

Gallo also enjoys staying connected with her students after they graduate from MHS. She often receives questions about college assignments or life updates.

“MHS graduates do a great job of creating their success on their terms,” Gallo said. “I want to be that person who is always there for them.”

The 2024 CORE National Conference allowed Gallo and other attendees to network with and learn from their peers in residential education. She was honored to receive the Catherine Hershey Award for Educator of the Year. However, she is equally excited about watching her students benefit from the lessons she learned.

At the conference, MHS President Pete Gurt received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. MHS Custodian Braden Maines ’80 also was honored with the 2024 Catherine Hershey Award for Alumnus of the Year.

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Milton Hershey School Teacher Named as Educator of the Year

“I was right, but what I didn’t realize when I was young was that education is transformational for the teacher and student,” she said. “Every year, my students and colleagues help me learn more about myself.”

“As soon as I stepped on this campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be,” she said. “I just fell in love with the students and the mission.”

“I firmly believe in active participation in learning,” she said. “I try to make that happen physically, so it translates to the mental and emotional.”

“MHS graduates do a great job of creating their success on their terms,” Gallo said. “I want to be that person who is always there for them.”

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Milton Hershey School Teacher Named as Educator of the Year

“I was right, but what I didn’t realize when I was young was that education is transformational for the teacher and student,” she said. “Every year, my students and colleagues help me learn more about myself.”

“As soon as I stepped on this campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be,” she said. “I just fell in love with the students and the mission.”

“I firmly believe in active participation in learning,” she said. “I try to make that happen physically, so it translates to the mental and emotional.”

“MHS graduates do a great job of creating their success on their terms,” Gallo said. “I want to be that person who is always there for them.”

Categories

Tags

“I was right, but what I didn’t realize when I was young was that education is transformational for the teacher and student,” she said. “Every year, my students and colleagues help me learn more about myself.”