Ann Monaghan, administrative assistant to the principal of Wallenpaupack Area High School, is the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s (PSEA) Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year for the 2025-26 school year

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HARRISBURG, PA (Nov. 19, 2025) — Ann Monaghan, administrative assistant to the principal of Wallenpaupack Area High School, is the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s (PSEA) Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.

The announcement came during American Education Week and as schools across the commonwealth celebrate Nov. 19 as Education Support Professionals Day.

“I am truly honored to have been named the Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year,” Monaghan said. “Having known Dolores and witnessed all that she accomplished on behalf of education support professionals makes this so much more significant and humbling. I have tried to use her belief that if something needs to be done, you just do it and then move on to the next project, all with the hope of improving circumstances for those around you.”

Prior to her current role, Monaghan served as the district’s registrar, homeless liaison, and attendance officer. Her work with students experiencing homelessness inspired her to partner with school officials and community leaders to launch Hawley Forward, a safe place for students to go after school to get help with their homework, play games, or enjoy time with friends. Leaders with Hawley Forward, with the help of community partners, are now focusing on efforts to expand this program to provide temporary housing for students in need.

Monaghan has served 12 years on Hawley Borough Council. As a community leader, she has been a strong advocate for establishing a homeless shelter in Wayne and Pike counties, the only two counties in Pennsylvania without such a shelter.

Monaghan also serves her colleagues as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS), a position she has held since Jan. 1, 2022. As a board member, she has made significant contributions to the governance and oversight of PSERS.

Monaghan has served as the president of the Wallenpaupack Area Education Support Professionals, her local union, since 2009 and as president of PSEA’s Northeastern Education Support Professional Division for the past two years. She has also served on the PSEA Legislative Committee since 2013.

Adam Lanza, president of the Western Wayne Education Support Professionals, nominated Monaghan for the award. He said in his nomination form that Monaghan’s leadership and commitment “exemplify the qualities of an outstanding advocate and leader. Her unwavering commitment to her colleagues and her innovative approach to problem-solving have made a lasting impact on the lives of many, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside her for so many years.”

PSEA President Aaron Chapin said Monaghan is a model of dedication and citizenship, giving so much back to her school, her community, and her students.

“Ann excels on so many levels,” Chapin said. “She is a compassionate leader, hardworking volunteer, skilled support professional, and effective public official. As a leader in her local and in PSEA, she is a strong voice for her fellow support professionals. I have no doubt Ann will make PSEA proud as our Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.”

As PSEA’s Education Support Professional of the Year, Monaghan is also a nominee for the National Education Association’s Education Support Professional of the Year in 2026.

PSEA’s Education Support Professional of the Year award honors the memory of the late Dolores McCracken who served as PSEA’s president until her death in November 2018 following a brief battle with cancer. McCracken worked as a paraeducator in a sixth-grade inclusion classroom in the Council Rock School District for nearly two decades — becoming the first education support professional member to serve as PSEA’s president.

An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, aspiring educators, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.