Harrisburg, Pa. â After a year of overcoming challenges and going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is celebrating teachers across the state for their dedication to ensure every student has the tools to reach their full potential. âThere could not be a more appropriate time to thank a teacher for their resilience, hard work, and persistence throughout this year. As an educator, I have seen how students gain inspiration and become encouraged through their lessons,â said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. âDuring Teacher Appreciation Week, let's take a moment to remind our educators how valuable they are to our studentsâ success, and that their efforts are commended by PDE year-round,â continued Ortega.