There is at least one Upper Perk School Board meeting every year that is packed to the rafters, and without fail, that meeting happens in November. Often closely coinciding with NEA’s American Education Week, it is at the November School Board meeting that UPSD honors recipients of the district’s Distinguished Service Award for that year.

Distinguished Service Award honorees are chosen by a committee, which generally considers retired recipients from each of the district’s schools and the Education Center every year. Recipients are chosen based on the following criteria:

• Representative of district staff
• Dedication above and beyond job requirements
• Extraordinary service to district
• Service to larger community
• Brought recognition to the district
• Recipient of state/national recognition

Honorees are recognized during American Education Week and at the November School Board meeting with a poster display, a presentation of student art work and a brass plate being added to each building’s pedestal. Students artists design artwork based on an individual honoree’s interests.

At the School Board meeting, Dr. Allyn J. Roche, Superintendent of Schools, gave a brief overview of the Distinguished Service Award, then introduced each honoree, asked the honoree’s student artist to present them with their artwork and then each honoree had a chance to deliver a few remarks.

Find out more about the 2019 UPSD Distinguished Service Award recipients below, along with photos of each recipient with their student artist.

Sharon L. Muntz – Hereford Elementary

Sharon received her Bachelors in Library Science and Elementary Education form Millersville State College and her Masters from Kutztown State College.  Sharon was a school librarian in Hereford, Red Hill and Green Lane Elementary.  She also served as a classroom teacher at Hereford Elementary teaching grades 2, 3 and 4.  Sharon was with the district for thirty-seven years before retiring in 2013.

During her thirty-seven years at Upper Perk, Sharon was on the district liaison committee, a member of the negotiations team, PA TELS testing question development committee, various curriculum development committees, mentoring new teachers and student teachers, grade level representative, co-chair of the annual UPSD retirement event, Reading Olympics, district technology committee, Art Smart program and was a teacher representative for the Hereford PTFS.  She was involved in the Adopt-A-Book Program to increase the quantity and quality of books in the Hereford Library, Author Smart program and Get Set for Kindergarten Success program.

Sharon was also involved in her community as a Board Member on the Life Long Learning program, Excellence in Education committee of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international women’s education society, the Young People’s Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley, taught lifesaving and swimming lessons, volunteered for the Upper Perk Literacy program, reading aide at Hereford Elementary and she also established a little free library at Hereford Estates Mobile Home Park.

Although Sharon feels there are too many fond memories to mention she would have to choose how much the third grade class enjoyed the “Living Wax Museum” that they staged after reading biographies as a library unit.   She enjoyed seeing the library transformed into a magical place.  Another favorite would be when Mother Goose (Sharon in costume) would fly to Hereford school on her goose visiting the Kindergarteners to share the rhythm of language in her rhymes.  But one of the many joys was when the look of delight and pride on the face of a child at the moment he or she “got” a concept they were learning.  

Since her retirement she continues to volunteer in the community, traveling to many National Parks, reading, swimming, playing games, visiting with family and friends and continuing to learn.

April L. Gaugler – Marlborough Elementary

April received her Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and Masters in Elementary Education from Kutztown University.  April also received her Doctor of Education in Early Literacy from Nova Southeastern University.  She started her teaching career at Upper Perk as a long-term substitute at Marlborough Elementary. She taught Kindergarten at Hereford Elementary for one year, then first grade for seven years.  April then served as reading specialist at Marlborough Elementary until retirement.

April served on the safety committee, language arts committee, report card committee, CORE team, spirit committee, ELA curriculum committee, Relay for Life and she was a Reading Olympics coach.  She also served on the researching and implementing RTI in the elementary schools, planning and implementing colloquiums and teaching Tup Tuesday, and also helped in updating the Balanced Literacy Framework.

April’s fondest memories here at Upper Perk is teaching first grade language intensive classroom, working with the students and families and watching the students during their “triumphed” moment when they learned to read. Since her retirement on 2017 she has enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, hiking, traveling, volunteering, gardening, and reading. She is looking forward to relocating to their lake home in Saylorsburg, PA.

Linda D. Dugan – Middle School

Linda started her career with Upper Perkiomen School District in 1990 in the cafeteria as a substitute, then part-time before transition to the custodian staff full time in 2002. 

Linda was fondly referred to as the “Energizer Bunny”.  Always having a smile and a willingness to help anyone who was in need, she was loved and appreciated by teachers and administrators.  Linda was awarded the Above & Beyond recognition in 2010.

Linda loved working with her co-workers both in the cafeteria and with the custodian staff and especially appreciated the support of the teachers and administrators.

Since her retirement in 2018 she has been traveling and camping with family and friends, along with enjoying hiking, fishing, bowling, game nights, and gardening.

Bruce Schantz – Middle School

Bruce started working at Upper Perkiomen Middle School in 1997 and was part of the custodian staff for 20 years until his retirement in 2017.

Bruce graduated from Upper Perkiomen High School in 1965 and was part of the Buxmont League Co-Championship Football team as a fullback & punter.  

Bruce served in the Air Force and is an active member of the East Greenville Firehouse.

Alan F. Treffinger – High School
In absentia - award accepted on his behalf by UPHS Principal Dr. Rob Carpenter

Alan earned his Bachelors of Science in Industrial Arts Education and his Master’s in Industrial Arts at Millersville University.  He taught Industrial Art/Industrial Technology at the High School for thirty-four years.

While at Upper Perk Alan was involved in coaching the High School cross country, winter, and spring Track, grading committee, block scheduling committee and was a department head for curriculum assistant for the fine and practical arts department.  He was also the chairman for the District Wide Arts Festival, a judge for TSA (Technology Student Association) for both state and regional levels, and also held an Adult Leadership position for the Boy Scouts of America East Greenville Pack 244 and Troop 108.

When asked what his fondest memories were at Upper Perk Allan enjoyed facilitating all levels of students as they progressed in hands on learning in the design and construction of quality woodworking projects, and showcasing the student work at the District Wide Arts Festival.  

Since his retirement in 2014 Allan has been volunteering at CPL (Canine Partners for Life), doing hobbies and activities that include woodworking, mountain biking, traveling, camping, skiing, snowmobiling and enjoying the outdoors.

Gregory L. Dickey – Education Center

Greg received his degree in A.B., Psychology from Grove City College, Masters in Educational Psychology from Edinboro University and Supervisory; School Psychology & Pupil Personnel services from Temple University.  His official title when hired was Psychologist/Counselor, at retirement Greg was the Director of Pupil Services.  Most of his responsibility revolved around coordination of special education services, psychological services and pupil services.  Although the majority of his services were at the Middle School and High School, his obligations did include all buildings.

While at Upper Perk, Greg help coach the HS JV & 9th Grade Girls Basketball team, he was involved in the Student Assistance program, UPSD Strategies Planning, and served on a number of planning committees involving curriculum, and technology.  He help get started and facilitated development of the secondary gifted education program, authored PDE grant for SAP program: coordinated development of ACT team at all schools, established standardization of psychological services delivery system and developed UPSD crisis management procedures; emotional recovery training. 

Greg is also involved in his community and held several positions on The Open Link board, helped with fundraising for the United Way, the Disaster Relief and breakfast mission with his church and was on the Montgomery County Open Space Initiative. Greg’s service has not gone unrecognized, in 2012 he received the Wallace H. Bieler Distinguished Leadership Award from the UPV Chamber of Commerce.

Greg has many fond memories of coaching basketball, group counseling sessions, getting to know students, the relationships he developed with the guidance staff, emotional support teachers, administrative assistants, and having the privilege to present diplomas at graduation to each of his daughter.  Since his retirement in 2011, Greg is still working part-time as an independent contractor school psychologist in a number of school districts.  He remains active with The Open Link, is an avid cyclist and enjoys trail riding.  He is looking forward to many more long weekends, short trips, vacations and family visits once his wife joins him in retirement in June.