The Enduring Commitment Of Jennifer Drey
Consider the persistent, almost silent force of commitment—that slow, inexorable turning of the educational wheel, year after year, until recognition arrives not as a sudden flash, but as the inevitable accumulation of excellence. This steady pursuit shapes not only careers but the very atmosphere of an institution.
Jennifer Drey, a name now formally etched in the registers of national distinction, embodies this sustained, meticulous effort.
A Hazleton native, she has spent sixteen years cultivating practical knowledge within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department at Milton Hershey School. The weight of her dedication received formal acknowledgment when the National Business Education Association (NBEA) designated her the 2025 Secondary Business Educator of the Year. This high honor recognizes profound, demonstrated excellence in business, computer, or information technology instruction within a K-12 or post-secondary setting. It is the texture of enduring success.
Her commitment to the student body extends far beyond the confines of the curriculum.
She mentors the future strategists, advising both the National Technical Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)—the individuals learning to navigate complex spreadsheets and human dynamics simultaneously. This NBEA recognition follows her 2019 title as the Pennsylvania Business Educator of the Year, a distinct nod from the PBEA, the local engine room of these professional endeavors.
She noted the feeling of being incredibly honored and humbled. Motivation to strive for greater heights, she said. A constant, necessary upward trajectory.
Influence and Implementation
Drey’s influence stretches beyond the MHS campus gates into the broader commonwealth. For over a decade, her energy fueled the PBEA. Two terms as president.
Coordinating two statewide conferences for business educators—logistics, ambition, outreach. Crucially, her involvement helped implement Act 35 of 2023. This is a powerful, recent legislative requirement establishing personal financial literacy mandates for all public school students in Pennsylvania. A momentous, practical shift, ensuring young people understand the delicate balance of capital and debt before encountering the sharp edges of the adult world.
National Engagement and Specialized Learning
She consistently sought out highly specialized knowledge, far removed from the everyday classroom.
She was selected to participate in the inaugural Knowledge at Wharton High School Seminar for High School Educators on Business and Financial Responsibility. That high-level insight. Then, representing Pennsylvania at the National Summer Teacher Institute on Innovation, STEM, and Intellectual Property, hosted by the US Patent and Trademark Office in St. Louis. These are specific, highly demanding environments.
Earlier, in Dallas, Texas, at the Certiport CertifiED Conference, she delivered a session titled "Certify to Lead: Empower CTE Students with FBLA Opportunities and Microsoft Office Certifications." During Financial Literacy Month, she co-hosted a webinar titled "Best practices for Strengthening Financial Literacy Education."
Back at Milton Hershey School, the focus is immediate, direct mentorship.
Admissions Opportunity Days, showcasing the CTE achievements. Mentoring students in leadership, service, career development programs. Not merely teaching, but shaping focused, capable citizens. A deep integration into the rhythm of the institution. Coached cheerleading. Served as senior class advisor for the Student Government Association.
Unique Highlights of Service
• 2025 NBEA Secondary Business Educator of the Year National recognition for sustained excellence in business and technology education.
• Act 35 of 2023 Implementation Provided instrumental support in establishing mandatory personal financial literacy education across Pennsylvania public schools.
• Wharton Seminar Participation Attended the inaugural Knowledge at Wharton High School Seminar on Business and Financial Responsibility.
• USPTO Representation Represented Pennsylvania at the National Summer Teacher Institute on Innovation, STEM, and Intellectual Property.
• PBEA Leadership Served two terms as president of the Pennsylvania Business Education Association, organizing two statewide conferences.
In a ceremony that celebrated the intersection of commerce and academia, a local student was honored for their outstanding achievements in business education. The award, which recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional aptitude and dedication to the field, was bestowed upon a deserving individual who has consistently shown a keen interest in the world of business.
This student's academic prowess and passion for learning have earned them a place among the most promising young minds in the region.
The award winner's academic journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a keen desire to understand the intricacies of business. Through their studies, they have developed a comprehensive understanding of the principles that underpin successful business practices, including finance, marketing, and management.
Their dedication to academic excellence has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by their impressive academic record and the respect they have earned from their peers and instructors alike.
As they look to the future, this student is poised to make a meaningful impact in the world of business, armed with a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges that lie ahead.
The recognition of this student's achievements serves as a testament to the value of business education in shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators.
As the business landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that individuals with a strong foundation in business principles will ← →
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