The Pennsylvania Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Statewide Advisory Board supports the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in moving the 21st CCLC program forward to most effectively help students access high-quality afterschool experiences. By representing grantees’ interests and providing feedback to PDE, the Pennsylvania Advisory Board encourages best practices, effective resources and training for afterschool programs.
Advisory Board Members
Pantea Shademani, Chair
Pantea Shademani, M.A., is the Program Director of the 21st Century SHINE Afterschool Program in Wayne and Pike Counties at the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Pantea started her career working with at-risk children and adolescent and their families. She moved to Pennsylvania from California in 2015 to focus on trauma-specific therapy with children and adolescents before transitioning to her role as a Program Director in 2019. She has more than 13 years of experience working with nonprofit mental health and at-risk populations and is excited to serve as Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Department of Education 21ts CCLC Statewide Advisory Board.
Rachel Strucko, Vice Chair
Rachel Strucko is Executive Director of the SHINE After School Program in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties. The Carbon/Schuylkill SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) is a nationally recognized Out of School Time (OST) program administered by Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). SHINE is the result of a grass-roots initiative that began in 2004 and has served over 4500 academically at-risk K-12th grade students representing eight districts, spanning over 750 square miles in rural Northeast, Pennsylvania. Ms. Strucko helped to create the Middle School Career Academy which has been a flagship program for SHINE since 2006. SHINE is currently operating 13 afterschool sites in nine school districts across Carbon and Schuylkill Counties. SHINE is the heart of the SHINEonPA Ecosystem. Its makerspace model has been implemented in 11 school districts.
Heather Dailey
Heather Dailey, M.Ed., is the 21st Century Development Specialist/District Grant Writer for Pottstown School District as well as the Grants Manager for the Reading Symphony Orchestra. Heather began her career specializing in at-risk youth education while living on an Army base in Baumholder, Germany where she was the first overseas recipient of the School Age Credential. In 1999 she joined the team at the Phoenixville YMCA (now Philadelphia Freedom YMCA). Following that she became the Executive Director of Building A Better Boyertown, the Before/After School and Summer Camp Director for LifeSpan School and Daycare and the Chief Development Officer for Olivet Boys & Girls Club. Heather is working towards a Master of Public Administration at West Chester University and holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing. Heather lives in Pottstown, PA with her husband Matthew and their two cats, Fergus and Nero. In her downtime she enjoys paddle boarding, working in her flower beds, going to the beach and traveling.
David J. George
Mr. David J. George is the 21st Century Project Manager in the Allentown City School District. He has served Allentown as a classroom teacher, behavior management specialist, OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Trainer, 21st Century coordinator, head basketball coach, and head baseball coach. Most notably, David became the first high school athletic director and Dean of Students at Lincoln Leadership Academy (2011-16), where he was also the first African-American Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (P.I.A.A.) Athletic Director in the history of District XI. David earned his Bachelors of Art Degree at California University of Pennsylvania in 1996 and a Athletic Administration Certification (CAA) in 2014. David is married to Courtney Elizabeth George, the father of 5 children, and their dog “River.” David is an avid fisherman and owner/operator of “Myles of Fishin’ Guide Service.” David is a proud veteran of the US Army and served as an infantry soldier and M113 armored tank driver. David is excited to serve both the PA 21st Century Advisory Board and students from the state of Pennsylvania.
Maritza González
Maritza González is the Director of Youth and Family Services at Sunrise of Philadelphia. She has a diverse 20-year background in youth development and out-of-school time. Since 2018, Maritza plans, coordinates and manages 21st CCLC services and staff for multiple Sunrise K-12 site locations in the city of Philadelphia. Past work experience also includes budget management, staff recruitment and compliance. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in Education and History. She is excited to begin the important work of informing the state department on matters important to the 21st CCLC community.
Yolanda Haywood Gross
Yolanda Haywood Gross is the Youth and Family Education Administrator at The Salvation Army Harrisburg. She is the Director of the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Roller Enrichment Academy in Steelton-Highspire School District. She is a certified Trauma-Skilled Schools Model Facilitator with The National Dropout Prevention Center. During her 12 years at TSA Harrisburg, she has served as a Facilitator, Curriculum Developer and Coordinator and with 24 years of experience working in the Greater Harrisburg Area with families, women and youth, she had the opportunity to share with thousands of students from kindergarten – high school. Yolanda has a passion for learning and empowering and is currently seeking a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership to further the enhancement of people and programming. She enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband and spending time with family and friends.
Lori Schaller
Lori Schaller is committed to afterschool programs as vibrant opportunities to foster educational success and positive development. With over 30 years of experience in program design, quality assurance, and fund development, Lori has contributed to the development of a number of afterschool programs and initiatives and is dedicated to building the capacity of out-of-school time programs to provide innovative models to positively impact children and youth. Working with school districts and community stakeholders, Lori has assisted United Way of Mercer County with developing dynamic out-of-school initiatives, including two 21st Century Community Learning Center cohort grants, as well as a regional strategy to promote stem education and career development. For her work, Lori was recognized as a PSAYDN 2019 Afterschool Champion. Lori looks forward to being a voice for other 21st CCLC programs.
Shannon Singosky
Shannon Singosky is the Interim Director of Education and Workforce Development for the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. She leads initiatives to enhance educational and workforce development opportunities in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Since 2014, Shannon has been instrumental in developing and overseeing 21st CCLC programs, which provide afterschool enrichment and academic support. Her efforts have strengthened these programs, fostering academic success and positive youth development.
Through her leadership, Shannon has secured funding, managed partnerships, and ensured the programs meet the needs of students, families, and communities. Her dedication to improving access to quality education reflects her passion for creating pathways to success for young people in the region.
Steve Strange
Steve Strange is the Executive Director at East End United Community Center. He oversees two 21st CCLC grants that span over four school districts in the southwestern Pennsylvania area. Steve started with 21st CCLC as a program director in May of 2019 for the cohort 9 grant. He is passionate about afterschool and summer school programming and feels this type of learning is a key component of the educational process. Steve is very happy to be a member of the 21st CCLC Advisory Board. He is happily married with two sons. In his free time, Steve enjoys golfing and watching sports and is a proud Penn State alum.
Evan Van Schie
Evan Van Schie is the Cohort 9 Program Director for the Bristol Borough School District in Lower Bucks County. Evan oversees three separate school sites that service students K-12th grade. Evan started with the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center programs back in January of 2018, when he began as an Administrative Assistant before becoming the Program Director of Bristol Borough’s Cohort 8 program. Evan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Business Administration. When he is not working in Bristol you can find him coaching soccer, fishing, kayaking, or just enjoying the outdoors at his local county/state parks. As a member of the 21st CCLC Advisory Board, Evan hopes to bring viable information and resources back to the other 21st CCLC grantees in Lower Bucks County and beyond.