Penn Cambria teacher earns national award

CRESSON, Pa. – Penn Cambria High School chemistry teacher Renee Schreyer has earned a national education award for her more than 30 years in chemistry – an honor her students said is well-deserved.

"I don't think there is any teacher better than Ms. Schreyer," senior Hanna Taddy said. "She is more than deserving of this award."

The educator earned the Regional Award for Excellence in High School Teaching sponsored by the American Chemical Society.

This honor recognizes teachers who challenge and inspire their students, and is given out to encourage and stimulate outstanding teachers.

Schreyer applied for the award at the bequest of St. Francis University professor Ed Zovinka, she said.

He's served as a mentor through the years and encouraged her to apply, which Schreyer said she was unsure if she qualified.

When she was alerted of the win, it was a "total surprise."

"Very surprised, but very honored," Schreyer said.

She'll officially accept the award during a ceremony Nov. 7 in Pittsburgh.

However, the Penn Cambria educator said the recognition is for more than just her.

"I wouldn't have been able to get this without my colleagues," Schreyer said.

She spoke about the expectations of Penn Cambria that hold students to a high standard and promote education.

"The overall climate here is conducive to learning," Schreyer said.

Her students, Taddy and seniors Nevaya Hoover and Caleb Pisczek, agreed that the chemistry classes she teaches aren't easy but they are enjoyable, and Schreyer takes the time to make sure every student is on the same page.

"She explains everything in such a fun and exciting way that I want to learn more," Hoover said.

Taddy said that she didn't enjoy school prior to taking Chemistry 1 with Schreyer, but the teacher has inspired her to work harder on her grades.

She said Schreyer's class "was like nothing I had ever experienced in my years of going to school."

"Ms. Schreyer made something that I don't like enjoyable," Taddy said.

Pisczek shared a similar experience, saying that chemistry is a "really hard subject" that can be "overwhelming," but "Ms. Schreyer always made it easier for everybody."

Because of his classes with Schreyer, the senior has decided to pursue a career in chemistry himself.

"I started out without a strong passion for chemistry, but because of her amazing style of teaching – I'm actually hoping to major in chemistry in college," Pisczek said.

The three students added that Schreyer always goes above and beyond to help her students, and her classroom is a safe space to learn and grow with a passionate, empathetic and caring teacher.

Schreyer was moved by the comments and told the trio that they make it all worth it.

She said her philosophy is that she teaches students, not a subject.

The longtime teacher joked if the students learned chemistry as well, great, but overall, she's there to help them persevere, show empathy and grow socially.

Schreyer is a Cambria Heights High School graduate who grew up in Hastings and earned her bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania as well as her master's degree from St. Francis University.

Ironically, she didn't go to college with the plan of becoming a teacher, she said.

She started as a nutrition major and was required to take a chemistry class.

Schreyer was so good at that subject that her professor asked her to tutor those struggling and found that she enjoyed it so much that she switched her major to education.

After college, she got a job at Penn Cambria High School and has worked there for the past 34 years – a fulfilling position Schreyer said she plans to retire from.