MEDIA ADVISORY
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Contact:
Cindy Carr, AFT Pennsylvania, ccarr@aftpa.org
Alexis Lopez, AFT, alopez@aft.org
Tom LeClair, Rep. Peter Schweyer, tleclair@pahouse.net
ADVISORY: State and National Leaders To Tour Dual Immersion School, Highlight Allentown School District Paraprofessional Program
ALLENTOWN – Next week, AFT Pennsylvania, AFT, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Allentown School District, Representative Peter G. Schweyer (D-Lehigh), and more will tour a classroom at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy, meet with members of the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals #1716, and highlight the contributions of paraprofessionals and the Latino community in the Allentown School District. As a part of the event, AFT Pennsylvania will award partial scholarships to some AFTPA paraprofessional members within the District as part of its ParaProud scholarship, which provides grants to Paras pursuing teaching certification in high-need subject areas.
WHAT: A tour and classroom observation within the Allentown School District, followed by the presentation of AFTPA’s ParaProud Scholarship, and a media availability with attendees.
WHEN: Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
WHERE: Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy
2020 E Pennsylvania Street, Allentown, PA 18109
WHO:
- Wendy G. Coleman, AFT Pennsylvania President
- Rep. Peter G. Schweyer, PA House Education Chair
- Rep. Michael Schlossberg, PA House Majority Whip
- Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Chair of the PA Legislative Latino Caucus
- Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Executive Vice President and LCLAA President
- Dr. Carol D. Birks, Allentown School District Superintendent
- AFTPA paraprofessional members
- And others
RSVP: Email Cindy Carr, AFT Pennsylvania (ccarr@aftpa.org) if you are planning to attend.