Upper Dublin resident selected as "Unsung Hero" in public schools

Upper Dublin resident Jacqui Owens, Social Worker in Bensalem Township School District, has been selected as an "Unsung Hero" in a new campaign recognizing public school support professionals, for which she also receives a $1,000 grant.

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6 to 10, 2019, CAPS (Council for the Advancement of Public Schools) and the Pennsylvania State Education Association/Mideastern Region (PSEA/MER) are sponsoring an “Unsung Heroes” campaign to spotlight the key roles played by support professionals who work in the public schools of Bucks and Montgomery counties. Every week through April 30, one hero is being featured online and on the CAPS Facebook page, and the public is encouraged to vote for the grand prize winner.

“We want to bring attention to and thank these very valuable professionals who are so critical to the success of our students, and who are often not as visible to the general public as our classroom teachers,” said Alan M. Malachowski, president of PSEA/MER. “Without them and their colleagues across the region who serve in so many different capacities, the school experience would be not be as enriching for our students,” he added.

The four professionals are each being awarded a grant of $1,000 with the grand prize winner receiving a $2,000 grant for a school project of their choice, thanks to PSEA/MER and CAPS. To help bring these projects to fruition, the public is invited to see videos about these inspiring heroes and vote for their favorite at http://friendsofpubliced.org/unsung-heroes-of-bucks-and-montgomery-county-schools/

Jacqui is one of only two school social workers in the district serving a high school, two middle schools, and six elementary schools. She works primarily with families who are struggling with issues such as homelessness, school attendance, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, criminal charges, domestic violence, loss of a friend/family member, lack of food or heat, or countless other issues. She is a relentless advocate for students and families, worrying about those who do not have adequate food, shelter, and utilities, and students who are not attending school. Her nominator said, “She is one of the hardest working employees I have ever met.” And she added, “This position has to be hands-down the least visible to the general public but most deserving of the title, ‘Unsung Hero.’”

Jacqui notes that mindfulness activities, which can be beneficial to students’ emotional and physical wellbeing as well as their ability to focus and learn, can be easily incorporated into the classroom and have lasting effects. Through her work with the Community Coalition, Building a Better Bensalem Together, Jacqui has already started the process of creating a library of mindfulness materials in every building so that teachers can access and incorporate them into their routines and lessons. Additional funding will allow her to acquire mindfulness workbooks, elementary school story books, and meditation materials such as CDs, guided meditations, and calming resources like stress balls and brain break activities.

To learn more and to vote, visit the CAPS website at http://friendsofpubliced.org/unsung-heroes-of-bucks-and-montgomery-county-schools/.

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