Local Voices of Inspiration

Pottsgrove Middle School Teacher Deborah Frasca, second from right, is honored as one of Montgomery County's Voices of Inspiration. Also pictured is, from left, Deanna Durante, NBC10 Reporter, John F. King, Executive Vice-President/COO from Freedom Credit Union, and Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley, MCIU Executive Director/CEO.

Two area middle school teachers were among those honored recently for being finalists in the annual Montgomery County Voices of Inspiration Award.

Deborah Frasca was the middle school finalist for the Pottsgrove School District. Allen Ferster was the nominee for Pottstown Middle School.

Twenty-three finalists—one from each of the 21 Montgomery County school districts, one from a non-public school in the county, and one from the MCIU—were honored with a plaque and cash award at the ceremony, which took place at the Philadelphia Marriott West in Conshohocken.

“Freedom is proud to recognize this well-deserving group of educators as true voices of inspiration,” said Lee T. MacMinn, Freedom Credit Union President/CEO. “We are happy that Voices of Inspiration has received such a warm response and great participation from the Montgomery County School Districts.”

 Approximately 125 educators, superintendents, and other supporters joined Freedom to commend the awardees on their superior commitment to teaching.

Frasca was selected by nominations from students, teachers, and parents.

Pottsgrove Middle School

Mrs. Frasca represented Pottsgrove at the Voices of Inspiration awards ceremony. She is the Enrichment Teacher at Pottsgrove Middle School.

Frasca graduated from Eastern University with a bachelors in education, where she studied English. She is a wife and mother of two girls.

In her spare time, she leads the puppet ministry at her church, New Hanover United Methodist.

Her students commented below:

"Mrs. Frasca is a great overall teacher who works to inspire us to do our best." -- Eric Maynard.

"Mrs. Frasca really worked with me this year to challenge me to become a better student as wells as a better person." -- Liz Driehaus

Pottstown Middle School was represented by Allen Ferster,
2nd from right.

The Voices of Inspiration Award was created by Freedom Credit Union and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to recognize and reward teachers throughout Montgomery County.

Initiated in 2007, the Award honors exceptional educators and their commitment to students, families, and the community as a whole.

Nominations, based on an individual’s contributions or performance during that school year, or for cumulative efforts over many years, may be submitted by any of the following people: students, parents, co-workers, administrators, or school employees.

The nominee should clearly demonstrate an extraordinary dedication to teaching young people, while exhibiting the qualities that represent a truly inspirational educator.



Twenty-three finalists, one teacher from each of the 21 Montgomery County public school districts, one teacher from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, and one teacher from a Montgomery County non-public school, will receive $100 and be recognized at Freedom’s Voices of Inspiration Award banquet.

From these 23 finalists, three winners (one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school teacher) will be awarded with Freedom’s Voices of Inspiration Award and $500 each.

This year's grand prize winners were: Michele Beddis (Skippack Elementary School - Perkiomen Valley School District), Alan Eickhoff (Springfield Township Senior High School – Springfield Township School District), and Andrea Lewis (Wissahickon Middle School – Wissahickon School District).

The three schools (one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school) in Montgomery County with the most nominations will win a cash prize for their school to use for any educational purpose; the school with the most nominations will receive $500, and the two runners-up will receive $250 each.