Gerald L. Zahorchak, Ed. D., Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since February 2006, will be honored as a Champion for Children at the 10th Anniversary Champions for Children Benefit.

Having been a teacher and football coach, a school principal, and superintendent of schools in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as well as Commonwealth Deputy Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education with responsibility for the education of over 1.8 million Pennsylvania school children, Dr. Zahorchak has worked with students at every grade level.

He has led numerous initiatives at the local, state, and national levels aimed at improving public education systems – focusing on economic development, building qualified staffs, and establishing strong community involvement. Dr. Zahorchak is particularly committed to providing and supporting full-day kindergarten, pre-kindergarten classes, math and literacy coaching, and tutoring for Pennsylvania's public school children. He has presided over initiatives to upgrade science education in elementary schools and to equip high schools with laptop computers for every student desk in every English, math, science, and history classroom.

Dr. Zahorchak serves on the Council of Chief State School Officers' Early Childhood Task Force. Its purpose, not unlike that of HCEF's, is to develop "policies, investments, and partnerships to enhance learning opportunities and outcomes for children from birth to age five and beyond, with a special focus on at-risk populations."

On the occasion of his appointing Dr. Zahorchak at Secretary of Education, Governor Edward Rendell said of him: "As an experienced educator with a passion for improving the learning conditions for children across the state, Dr. Zahorchak brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Department of Education"

Hear Secretary Zahorchak speak on the need for and importance of after-school programs to ensure that all children have the help they need to succeed academically.

9/26/08