Elizabeth Gramling cited
The State Education Resource Center (SERC) has announced the winners of the agency’s 2025 Parental Involvement Recognition Award.
Elizabeth Gramling served as the Director of Membership for Eli Whitney Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Student Association (2020-2022) and as its President (2022-2024). Under her leadership in-school and after-school events became more accessible, equitable and engaging. Liz’s thoughtful and intentional approach strengthened the sense of community and inspired broader family involvement in school activities. Elizabeth’s work leading the school’s annual Read-a-Thon raised nearly $57,000 over three years, significantly enriching programs and resources. Her participation in the school’s SEE (Supporting Educational Excellence) program provided skills she used to drive change within the community, keeping the well-being of students and families first.
SERC’s Parental Involvement Recognition Award highlights and honors exemplary parental involvement in schools and community organizations and was inspired by Project Appleseed, the national campaign for public school improvement and home of National Parental Involvement Day celebrated each year in November. Honorees are selected based on nominations documenting:
• Active involvement in their child’s/children’s school and/or community;
• Support of their local school and contributions to high-quality education for all children;
• Evidence of their ability to make a difference in their local school and/or community, and;
• Dedication and advocacy to ensure equity for all parents and their children.
The State Education Resource Center (SERC) is a Waterbury, Connecticut based quasi-public agency providing resources, professional development, and a centralized library to educators, families, and community members in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education and other partners.
SERC believes that all students have the right to access opportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities. In Connecticut, educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English Language Learners, and students with disabilities continue to lag behind outcomes for other students. To help eliminate these opportunity gaps, SERC addresses institutionalized racism and other issues of social justice in schools and districts and both models and facilitates equity in education.
