1. Partners in Gifted Education
Local Businesses working with Gifted Education
Dr. Katie Leach and Cathy Colangelo, PIE Executive Director

2. What is Greater Hazleton Partners in Education (PIE)?
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Incorporated in 2000
Consists of local business and education partners
Focused on ensuring students leave school with the academic, technical and employability skills necessary to be successful
Focused on ensuring students are prepared to make informed career decisions and are aware of local opportunities
Consists of business and education members, a board of directors, an advisory committee, and a student advisory committee with members from Hazleton Area, Weatherly Area and Crestwood

3. History of PIE
Informal organization formed by Dr. Edward Lyba and local business representatives
Became incorporated and “official” 501 (c)(3) in 2000
Developed initiatives, action plan and first programs based on information gathered from focus groups including approximately 50 leaders from local businesses and educational institutions
Buy-in and support from local school superintendents

4. What Does PIE Do?
Provides area students and teachers with information on career planning and decision making
Works closely with business partners and local business community to provide learning and job shadowing opportunities, classroom speakers and integrated real-life business projects that allow students to have hands-on work experiences
Acts as an intermediary between educators and business partners to help teachers understand skills required in today’s workplace
Provides programming to help raise student awareness of local career opportunities
Provide funding opportunities to educators through annual mini- grant program

5. How Does PIE Support Local Students/Educators
Career Pathways Programs
Annual Career Awareness Day
Career Exploration Day
Job Shadowing
Volunteer Opportunities
Community Networking Opportunities
PIE Mini-Grant Program for Teachers
Summer Teacher Internships
Educator Tours of Local Business Operations
Project SAGE (Stay tuned for more…)

6. Student Advisory Committee
Career Information Program
“Career Expo Volunteers”

7. Student Advisory Committee Programs
What’s My Line?

8. Career Exploration Day At Hazleton Area High School
PIE Programs
Career Exploration Day
At Hazleton Area High School

9. Career Awareness Day
“Digital Forensics”

10. Mini-Grant Awards
“Weather Balloon”

11. Mini-Grant Awards
“Building Bridges &
A Hovercraft”
Robotics

12. How is PIE Funded and Supported?
Business Memberships
EITC Contributions
Other Donations
Local Business Professionals and Higher Education Faculty/Staff Volunteers

13. What is a Member Company’s ROI?
Creating a bridge between business and education
Connecting with potential future workforce
Hiring/retaining well-trained employees
Enhancing corporate image and becoming a good corporate citizen
Sharing physical and technical resources
Developing meaningful workplace projects that emphasize the importance of academic, technical and employability skills
Job shadowing, internships and other opportunities benefit students and the businesses
A position on the PIE Board of Directors and sharing in decision-making and leadership activities

14. History of Project SAGE
Project SAGE (Securing a Greener Environment), was established for gifted middle school in the Hazleton Area, which included Hazleton, Weatherly and Crestwood School Districts for the school year.
After working with plastic made from corn, recycling was our first public project, a Public Service Announcement about securing a greener environment! Youtube

15. How Project SAGE Works
Each month, gifted support teachers from their respective districts meet at Bemis Polyethylene Packaging in West Hazleton, PA to plan events for their students, specifically in STEM-related fields.
This year Crestwood has joined Project SAGE!

16. What Project SAGE Does for Students
At our meetings at Bemis Corporation, we discuss different ideas for our students. We usually plan one trip in the Fall and one in the Spring, or two trips in the Spring.
Link to our wiki:

17. For More Information Contact Greater Hazleton Partners in Education
Cathy Colangelo, Executive Director (570) –
Check out our website at
Project SAGE website:

18. Questions?
Thank You!