News

Ethan op ed

PA’s Act 47 is a ‘Promising Start’ for Literacy, But Real Success Forms in the Classroom

Jun 3, 2026

A new commentary by education expert Ethan VanNorman warns that Pennsylvania’s ambitious new literacy legislation, Act 47, is only the first step in resolving the state's historically fragmented reading instruction.

Writing in the latest issue of Teach Magazine, Ethan VanNorman argues that while the law establishes critical guardrails, the true test of the legislation will be how effectively school districts support the educators tasked with bringing it to life.

Valeria Rivera-Perez
  • Centennial School
  • Special Education
  • Teaching, Learning and Technology

Valeria Rivera-Perez: Finding a Path in Special Education

May 26, 2026

Valeria Rivera-Perez chose Lehigh's College of Education for a simple reason: its reputation for academic rigor and its track record of producing elite, classroom-ready educators. However, what started as a focus on secondary biology quickly evolved into a dual passion.

Jack Silva
  • Alumni
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Educational Leadership
  • LUSSC

Silva Honored with Cooperative Leadership Award

May 21, 2026

In a ceremony celebrating a career defined by bridge-building and educational excellence, Jack Silva, '09G Superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD), has been named the recipient of this year’s Cooperative Leadership Award.

Liz Sims
  • Educational Leadership

Iacocca Hallways Showcase Local K-12 Artists

May 14, 2026

For Liz Sims, a doctoral student in the COE's Educational Leadership program, the blank walls of Iacocca Hall provided inspiration. Sims, who teaches art full-time at Valley Forge Elementary, recognized an opportunity to bridge the gap between the COE’s graduate training and the creative energy of local K-12 classrooms.