Council Rock Educator, PA Teachers Union President Passes Away

Dolores McCracken, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and a former Council Rock staff member, passed away on Nov. 13 following a brief battle with cancer, the organization confirmed.

McCracken was a local, regional, and statewide PSEA leader for more than two decades.

“Dolores McCracken was an excellent PSEA president, a phenomenal woman, and a great friend. Dolores was not just the president of PSEA. She was also part of our family. We will miss her dearly,” said PSEA Vice President Rich Askey.

He said educators from across Pennsylvania are mourning the loss.

"She was a fighter for students, working throughout her career to make sure they received the help and opportunities they needed to be successful," said American Federation of Teachers -Pennsylvania President Ted Kirsch. "As a labor leader, she advocated strongly and respectfully on behalf of her members, all educators and working men and women. I was fortunate to have had several opportunities to work with her on issues that affected our members, and I respected her strength, patience and knowledge."

McCracken began her term as PSEA president in September 2017. Before that, she was the union's vice president, treasurer, and a member of the PSEA Board of Directors, among other roles.

For nearly two decades, McCracken served as a paraprofessional in a sixth-grade inclusion classroom in the Council Rock School District.

She also served on the Board of Directors of the Council Rock Education Foundation and was a former PTO president at Churchville Elementary.

Rich Askey will become PSEA president, the organization said.

Image via PSEA