Marilyn Pryle

Marilyn Pryle is an exceptional educator whose lifelong passion for teaching began in grade school, fuelled by a love of learning and a fascination with the world beyond her East Coast upbringing. Her journey as a global citizen began during college, when she worked at an orphanage in Mexico City, and later expanded as she taught in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. These experiences profoundly shaped her commitment to global awareness, a mission that defines her 15-year tenure as a World Literature teacher in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. 

Marilyn’s teaching philosophy centres on fostering student voice, self-expression, and critical thinking. Her innovative Reading Response technique, rooted in Louise Rosenblatt’s Reader Response Theory, empowers students to think independently, analyse deeply, and engage authentically with texts. By categorizing their responses using themes like “Eco-Criticism” or “Recognizing Racial Impact,” her students develop metacognitive and analytical skills essential for global citizenship. Marilyn has shared this method through her eight books and numerous presentations at national and international conferences, influencing educators worldwide. 

Her classroom is a microcosm of democratic learning, where students actively explore diverse cultures, religions, and philosophies. Marilyn’s curriculum incorporates foundational texts from Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism, alongside contemporary works like Night by Elie Wiesel and I Am Malala. This approach fosters cultural empathy and global awareness, especially vital in her suburban community, where diversity is limited and students often lack exposure to the broader world. Her efforts extend beyond the classroom; she has led transformative international student trips to countries such as Germany, Greece, and Peru, enabling students to experience firsthand the richness of other cultures and histories. 

In addition to her classroom innovations, Marilyn’s impact on her community is profound. In 2017, she founded the Scranton English Conversation Group to support the area’s growing refugee population. The program pairs adult refugees with volunteers to improve literacy, navigate essential services, and build connections. High school students, inspired by Marilyn’s example, volunteer with children during the sessions, often altering their career paths toward social work or international law. This initiative has empowered refugees to secure jobs, obtain driver’s licenses, and access better healthcare while fostering empathy and activism among local youth. 

Marilyn’s contributions to the teaching profession extend to state and national levels. As Pennsylvania’s 2019 Teacher of the Year, she has served on the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory and worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to revamp curricula and teacher evaluation systems. A National Board-Certified Teacher, she advocates for equitable access to certification processes, emphasizing the need for highly qualified teachers in high-need schools. 

Her dedication to sustainability is evident in her classroom discussions and projects on climate change, particularly through the lens of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By partnering with schools in urban areas, her students gain diverse perspectives on global environmental challenges, sparking meaningful conversations and actionable steps toward a sustainable future. 

Marilyn Pryle exemplifies the transformative power of education, combining innovation, compassion, and a global vision to prepare students for the complexities of the 21st century. Her tireless commitment to her students, community, and profession makes her a beacon of excellence in education.