Julie Lewis: Going Above and Beyond the Classroom
Julie is a Carnegie Elementary teacher who has spent nearly two decades turning small moments into powerful opportunities for her fourth-grade students, from creative reading initiatives to schoolwide programs that build confidence and community. A longtime partner of The Education Partnership, she shares how access to the right resources helps teachers think bigger, remove barriers, and create experiences that truly stick.
What subjects and grade levels do you currently teach?
I teach Reading, English, and Spelling in the 4th grade at Carnegie Elementary School.
How many years have you been visiting TEP?
I have been lucky to be visiting the TEP since the Fall of 2016!!! 10 years!! Wow, time flies!
Beyond your day-to-day teaching, what activities or roles do you take on within your school district to further support students and the school community? (PTA, fundraising, after-school clubs, etc.)
Over my 18 years of teaching here, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of our school and community. Regardless of what form our anti-bullying or positive behavior program has taken over the years, I have consistently served on the core team. Earlier in my career, I co-facilitated an After-School Homework Help program at a low-income high-rise in our community and also worked in our school’s after-school program.
For more than 10 years, I have directed and produced our school talent show and advised a service-based club for students in grades 4–6 called Amazing Alternatives, which goes out once a month to give back to our school, community, and beyond. I was also involved in our high school’s fall play and spring musical and have served as producer for the past two years. In addition, I am an active member of the PTA, volunteering at events such as Family Reading Night, and I recently wrapped up our third annual Gift of Time fundraiser.
I enjoy staying busy and contributing wherever I can to support our students, staff, and school community.
What drives you to consistently go the extra mile for your students and your school?
What drives me to consistently go the extra mile is a deep sense of commitment to my students and to the school community that has shaped me both personally and professionally. I believe students deserve more than just instruction. They deserve adults who show up for them, create opportunities, and help them feel seen, supported, and valued.
This school is home to me. As a former Carlynton student and now a longtime teacher, I take pride in giving back to a place that has given me so much. Whether it’s through classroom instruction, extracurricular involvement, service projects, or schoolwide events, I’m motivated by the belief that small efforts can make a big difference in a child’s experience. I don’t see going the extra mile as an obligation, but as an opportunity to build meaningful connections, strengthen our community, and help students discover their confidence, voice, and potential.
You were nominated for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year for the extraordinary impact you’ve had on Carlynton School District students. What contributions or initiatives do you feel led to that recognition?
Hahaha — I actually forgot all about that. The truth is, I work alongside so many extraordinary teachers here and across our county and state, so the nomination itself truly meant the world to me. What mattered most, though, was knowing that a family felt seen and supported. They were incredibly appreciative of the help I gave their son with reading.
What started as reading together during recess quickly grew into something bigger. Another student asked if he could get the book, catch up to where we were, and join us and of course, I said yes. That moment sparked Books for Boys. I fundraised to purchase small sets of books, and before long, the girls wanted to know where their book club was. Using the same model, Books for Girls was born.
Students were choosing to give up their recess time to read, think, and talk about books together. That kind of engagement felt powerful. I wanted the experience to feel special, not confined to desks they already sit in all day, so I reached out to the community for a gently used sectional. A generous donor gifted us a beautiful one, and reading truly leveled up.
While the nomination was an honor, watching those book clubs take shape and seeing students choose reading because it felt meaningful and inviting holds far more importance to me than any title or recognition.
You’ve served as an Education Advisor Council Member and have been a champion partner with The Education Partnership for many years. Could you tell us more about what that experience has meant to you?
I truly love The Education Partnership. From the moment I became involved, the staff has been incredibly welcoming, supportive, and genuinely invested in educators and students. I joined the EAC in its second year at Carnegie and have loved serving as a bridge between my school, TEP, and my EAC partner, Debbie Bombich. I especially miss our bi-annual EAC meetings. They were a meaningful way to connect, collaborate, and learn alongside teachers from across the region.
My appreciation for TEP runs deep. I’ve been an Honor Roll member since early on because I truly believe in the impact. Ten dollars a month is a coffee run for me, but in TEP’s hands, it becomes essential school supplies for countless students.
When I turned 40, instead of gifts, I chose to turn the celebration into a fundraiser for TEP, and it was one of the most meaningful nights of my life. With the support of over 100 friends and family members, incredible auction items, and a generous donation from Cefalo’s, we raised $3,000 for The Education Partnership. It was unforgettable, and people still talk about the joy, energy, and purpose of that night and often ask when we’re doing it again.
So maybe it’s time for a Julie Lewis / TEP collaboration because celebrating, building community, and supporting students feels like the perfect reason to throw another party.
In what ways does the partnership between The Education Partnership and Carnegie Elementary empower you and your colleagues to exceed expectations and make an even greater impact in the classroom?
The partnership between The Education Partnership and Carnegie Elementary empowers us by removing barriers that often limit what teachers are able to do for their students. By providing access to high-quality school supplies and resources, TEP allows us to focus less on what we don’t have and more on what our students can achieve.
Knowing that materials are available when students need them creates freedom and flexibility in the classroom. It encourages innovation, supports differentiated instruction, and helps us respond quickly to student needs without hesitation or delay. Most importantly, this partnership ensures equity. Students come to school ready to learn because their classrooms are equipped to support them.
Because of The Education Partnership, my colleagues and I are empowered to think bigger, try new ideas, and consistently exceed expectations, knowing we have a partner that believes in our work and invests directly in our students’ success.
Author: The TEP Team
