FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 15, 2026
State, National Leaders Tour Allentown Dual Immersion School, Highlight ASD Paraprofessional Program
ALLENTOWN, PA – Earlier today, AFT Pennsylvania, AFT, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Allentown School District, Rep. Peter G. Schweyer (D-134), Rep. Michael H. Schlossberg (D-132), Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-129), and leaders from the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals #1716 toured the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy as a part of a new AFTPA initiative with locals across the Commonwealth.
Attendees observed two classrooms, met with students and teachers, AFT presented the school with 500 bilingual books as a part of its Reading Opens The World series with FirstBook, and AFT Pennsylvania presented the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals and the Allentown Emerging Educators Program with a $20,000 scholarship as a part of its Para Proud Scholarship Program. Para Proud awards $5,000 scholarships to paraprofessionals who are or will be pursuing a teaching certificate in one of Pennsylvania’s high-need subject areas. The Emerging Educators Program offers enrollees the opportunity for employment within the District as a teacher upon completion of the program.
The livestream from the event can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Wx3doyyR0
Event speakers included AFT Pennsylvania President Wendy G. Coleman, AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, Allentown School District Superintendent Dr. Carol D. Birks, Allentown School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amelia Coleman, Allentown School Board President Andrene Brown-Nowell, Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy Principal Jennifer Aponte, State Rep. Peter Schweyer, State Rep. Michael Schlossberg, State Rep. Johanny Cepedas-Freytiz, and Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk.
Event attendees released the following statements:
Wendy G. Coleman, AFTPA President: “AFT Pennsylvania is proud to represent the members from the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, and today’s visit offered us a unique opportunity to highlight and honor the invaluable work our paraprofessionals do each and every day in classrooms, at schools, and within the community. Our hope is that the Para Proud Scholarship provides additional opportunities for our members to excel within the Emerging Educators Program and achieve their goals of becoming educators within the District.”
Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Executive Vice President and LCLAA President: “Public schools are the vehicle that anchors our democracy and creates opportunity for our children. Our paraprofessionals, here in Allentown and across the country, are doing life-changing work in the classroom and for students every single day. Today’s event shows us that when unions, school districts and public officials work together, we build the kind of place that kids and communities need.”
Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Allentown School District: “Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy reflects our belief that bilingualism and cultural understanding strengthen learning and teaching, helping students build literacy, critical thinking, and academic confidence. Investing in our paraprofessionals through programs like Para Proud strengthens classrooms, builds a workforce from within, and delivers better outcomes for students.”
State Rep. Peter Schweyer: “Communities across Pennsylvania, including right here in Allentown, are working on solutions for a declining teacher workforce. Today’s event highlights the amazing work paraprofessionals do supporting teachers and students in the classroom and the importance of new scholarship initiatives, like Para Proud, to encourage those pursuing their teaching careers to stay in the field and achieve their success. I want to thank AFT Pennsylvania for this event and for recognizing the significance of paraprofessionals in our education system."
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Contact:
Cindy Carr, AFT Pennsylvania, ccarr@aftpa.org
Alexis Lopez, AFT, alopez@aft.org
Tom LeClair, Rep. Peter Schweyer, tleclair@pahouse.net