Grad student receives humanitarian award

Temple doctoral student Lisa Waller embodies the idea that diamonds can be found in your own back yard.

In her hometown of Harrisburg, Waller has found a way to shine — both personally and in her chosen field of education.

Waller recently received Harrisburg’s first-ever Essence of Humanity Award, presented by Mayor Stephen R. Reed. Awarded at the city’s sixth annual Mayor’s Black History Gala, a black-tie event, the honor is given to a citizen who has overcome significant adversity to exhibit extraordinary caring — and success — in his or her work.

Currently director/principal of SciTech High, the new science and technology high school in Harrisburg, Waller grew up in Harrisburg in a dysfunctional family and became a mother at age 16. Still, she graduated 10th in her class at Harrisburg High School and was offered a gaggle of scholarships, including one from Penn State.

“I went to Penn State because of its daycare center,” she said with a laugh. “I decided I had to take control of my own life, and I believed education would have to be the route for me.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Penn State in 1990, Waller returned to Harrisburg to teach — and was content doing so. But she found her niche in administration after earning her master’s degree and principal’s certification from Temple in 2000. She served as an assistant principal in the district for three years, including a year-long stint at Harrisburg High, her alma mater.

“I was a teacher for nine years, and I loved the classroom,” said Waller, who won Teacher of the Year honors in just her fifth year of teaching social studies. “But I’ve found that I also love administration.

“SciTech High is a small learning community, a state-of-the-art wireless building with an entirely brand new staff,” said Waller, who is also active in church and community groups. “Our total enrollment is 300 kids. We’ll have 24 kids in our first graduating class this year.”

A fourth-year doctoral student in educational administration in the College of Education, Waller is studying under professor Vivian Ipka. Her dissertation will examine variables that predict student success on standardized tests. She’s looking specifically at students in Harrisburg.

Officials in Waller’s district nominated her for the Essence of Humanity Award, which included a huge trophy and a $500 prize.

“The Black History Gala is like the Academy Awards in Harrisburg,” she said.

– By Barbara Baals