Stephanie In April 2008 Stephanie Tecza stepped down as the PEAL Board Secretary to fulfill her life long passion for helping families as a Parent Advisor for the PEAL Center.Stephanie’s inspiration to help families stems from years of advocating for her older daughter to be fully included in the general education classroom.Stephanie worked at ACHEIVA for ten years as an education advocate and employment specialist. While there, she presented workshops for families, attended trainings on disability related topics, visited legislators, and participated in various rallies for the rights of students and adults with disabilities. Throughout her years of advocacy, Stephanie has been a member of organizations and committees including Western PA Coalition of Advocates, VALUE Coalition, Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy Children’s Team, PA ARC Education Committee, and the Early Intervention Coalition of Advocates.She also continues to participate in the Local Task Force on the Right to Education, IU 2, after 19 years of membership.She has received several awards for her advocacy efforts throughout the years.In 1994 she received the Award of Excellence: Advocacy Award, by The ARC of Allegheny and in 1995 received the Jean Isherwood Advocacy Award by the ARC of Pennsylvania. Most recently Stephanie received the Education Law Centers Advocacy Award.She holds an Associate’s Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
