WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2025) — Williamsport Area High School math teacher Patricia Miller has been named the recipient of the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation’s commemorative Founders Grant for Educational Excellence.
The commemorative, one-time $40,000 grant was created to mark the foundation’s 20th anniversary of fostering educational growth. Funded through $20,000 from foundation’s Annual Fund and a $20,000 match from the district, the competitive award was designed to support a transformative project that advances the district’s educational mission.
Miller’s proposal, the Collaborative Corner in C-Pod, is a visionary pilot initiative that will transform an underutilized area of the high school into a dynamic hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration and academic engagement. Rooted in the belief that environment shapes experience, the project will foster student motivation, boost performance, and enhance innovation and independence across disciplines.
A central feature of the Collaborative Corner is its role in strengthening the school’s newest Career and Technical Education program, Educators Rising. By serving as a flexible lab space that simulates modern classroom environments, the project will give aspiring teachers hands-on experience in collaborative, student-centered learning. This alignment ensures the space enriches instruction for future educators while also benefiting the broader student body.
The Collaborative Corner will be intentionally designed to:
- Increase student motivation and academic success.
- Develop essential 21st-century skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Promote independence and ownership of learning.
- Support WASD initiatives that encourage positive school culture and student well-being.
By creating a flexible, modern learning space, the project will mirror environments found in higher education and the workforce, preparing students for future success. It also will enhance teacher practice by offering new opportunities for collaborative, student-driven instruction and serve as a shared space for innovation in lesson design and delivery.
The grant opportunity was announced last fall, and Miller was officially named the recipient during WASDEF’s third annual Cherry + White Appreciation Night on Sept. 25.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity to transform the way our students learn and connect,” Miller said. “The Collaboration Corner will provide a dedicated space where creativity, teamwork and innovation can thrive — preparing our students for not just academic success but also for life beyond the classroom. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the collaboration of everyone who was involved. This project would not have been possible without the initial spark from (WAHS teacher) Ryan Moon, who deserves immense credit for his innovation.”
“This commemorative grant represents an unprecedented opportunity to bring forward a transformative idea that will impact students for years to come,” said Greg Hayes, WASDEF executive director. “Mrs. Miller’s vision for this project truly embodies the spirit of the Founders Grant by reimagining space to inspire collaboration and innovation.”
“This project reflects the district’s commitment to building on innovation and creating environments that prepare our students for the future,” said Superintendent Timothy S. Bowers, Ed.D. “The Collaborative Corner will not only enrich the high school experience but also serve as a model for how we continue to transform learning across the district.”
For more information on the application process and guidelines, visit the foundation’s website at www.wasdeducationfoundation.org.
WASDEF is the recognized nonprofit affiliate of the Williamsport Area School District. The education foundation facilitates charitable giving and permanent legacies based on individual areas of interest in educational innovation, the arts, athletics and scholarships. For more information, visit www.wasdeducationfoundation.org.
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