LAPPSE

Lorraine Ann Pirro Public School Endowment

Honoring educators. Supporting classrooms. Continuing a legacy of learning.

The Lorraine Ann Pirro Public School Endowment, or LAPPSE, is a Pyrrhic Press educational initiative created in memory of Lorraine Ann Pirro, a longtime New Jersey public-school educator whose career was rooted in literacy, special education, inclusion, and a deep commitment to helping students succeed.

LAPPSE was created to carry those values forward by recognizing educators whose work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of their students.

Continuing Lorraine's Legacy

Throughout her career, Lorraine Ann Pirro worked with students across New Jersey public schools, including Paterson Public Schools and Garfield Public Schools.

Her professional focus included literacy, reading intervention, special education, and individualized student support. She continued developing her expertise through professional learning, including advanced literacy training through the Rutgers Center for Literacy.

Her work reflected a simple belief: every student deserves an educator who sees their potential and is willing to help them reach it.

LAPPSE exists to keep that belief moving forward.

Supporting Educators

LAPPSE is intended to recognize public-school educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their students, classrooms, and school communities.

Recognition may place particular emphasis on educators working in areas such as:

  • Literacy and reading

  • Special education

  • Mathematics

  • Science and STEM

  • Student accessibility and inclusion

  • Innovative classroom practice

  • Exceptional service to students and families

The goal is not simply to recognize good teaching, but to recognize educators whose work reflects the commitment, persistence, creativity, and care that defined Lorraine's career.

Support LAPPSE

Contributions to LAPPSE help support the growth of the initiative and future educator and classroom recognition.

Donations are collected securely through the embedded Zeffy form below.

Every contribution helps strengthen LAPPSE's ability to recognize educators and support the classrooms where meaningful teaching happens every day.

Nominate an Educator

Know an educator whose work deserves recognition?

LAPPSE welcomes nominations from students, former students, parents, families, colleagues, administrators, and members of the community.

Tell us who they are, where they teach, and why their work has made a difference.

Nominate an Educator

Learn More About Lorraine

LAPPSE exists because of the life and career of Lorraine Ann Pirro.

Her work in public education, literacy, and special education continues to shape the values behind this initiative.

Read About LAPPSE and Lorraine Ann Pirro