Meet the Candidate

GIROL, ANGELA

Running For:

REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

District:

Political Affiliation:

DEM

Age:

Occupation:

Teacher

Education: (click to expand)

Biographical Info: (click to expand)

Angela Girol has been a leader in introducing innovative learning opportunities for young students in Elizabeth Forward for the past 17 years. She recently received national recognition for her work in redefining traditional classroom activities. She began her career at EF as a second-grade teacher in 2007 after spending eight years as a first-grade teacher at The Campus School of Carlow University. During her tenure at EF, Girol has collaborated with Dr. Nesra Yannier, the Founder and CEO of Norilla at Carnegie-Mellon University, to develop a curriculum for the Norilla (Novel Research-based Intelligent Lifelong Learning Apparatus) mixed-reality system. She has also played a significant role in promoting STEM learning by introducing the technology to students. In 2019, Girol was crucial in implementing Canvas, a learning management system, in the district. She has also supported new teachers in using the platform at EF and neighboring school districts. The highlight of her education career was being honored as the Instructure Educator of the Year in 2021 by Canvas LMS for her work in redefining traditional classroom activities to help students meet their academic goals, supporting inclusion for at-risk populations and sparking curiosity both in and out of the classroom. Only six educators were tapped for this special recognition - one elementary (Girol), one middle school, one high school, and three in higher education. Girol was born in Derry, PA, to Edward "Sonny" and Sandra "Sandi" Sherba. An only child, she was a first-generation college student. She graduated with a Bachelor of English degree from St. Vincent College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Chatham College. An avid runner, Girol has been a Kids of Steel coach at Central Elementary for several years, encouraging students to try running and to participate in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon (a one-mile fun race) each spring. Girol and her husband, Duane, have three children - Sophia, Anthony, and Gianna attending Penn State University.

Why are you running for office? (click to expand)

As a public school teacher, I see every day that too many of my kids in the wealthiest county in the history of the world have families that struggle with basic needs. I am running for State Representative because working people need a voice in Harrisburg. I promise to fight for policies that help people whom the polling tells us overwhelmingly support. This includes: Reform The System: End big money in politics by setting up new contribution limits. Ban lawmakers and their staff from most stock transactions. Ban public officials and their staff from receiving gifts. Ban lawmakers and their staff from being lobbyists for life. Protecting Your Freedoms and Family: Introduce a constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. Create 12 weeks of paid family / medical leave by using a combination of drawn-down funds from the budget surplus and closing corporate tax loopholes. Expand the childcare tax credit again and make it a monthly payment to eligible families. Raise income caps for elders seeking nursing home Medicaid, assisted living services, and in-home care. A Teachers Plan for Education: Fully fund PAs public schools at the state level by closing tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthy and large corporations that pay nothing and work to lower property taxes for working-class people and retirees on fixed incomes. Address the teaching shortage by creating an opportunity scholarship to make tuition free for all first-time students attending any State-Related/PASSHE institution. Create a new state-wide school infrastructure/repair improvement grant program. Raise teacher pay to a minimum of $60,000 yearly, and ESP pay to $20.00 / hr. Public Safety: Expand mental, behavioral, and substance abuse services as people who are struggling need help, not a record. Ban "so-called" cop-killer bullets, which are armor-piercing and are coated with Teflon to reduce wear and tear on gun barrels. Require disclosure of concealed carry weapons in the vehicle when pulled over by the police. Address gun violence, which is the number one killer of children under age 18.

Survey

Response Legend

YYes
NNo
UUndecided
−Declined to Respond / Position Unknown / Unclear
*Comment
†Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question	Response	Comments/Notes
1. Should education funding be available directly to families through a grant, scholarship, or education savings account so that parents can send their children to the school of their choice, including religious schools?	N*	This idea would create an unaccountable system ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse. We can fix public education by funding it at the state level by closing corporate tax loopholes costing PA roughly $4.9 million annually since 2002.
2. Should marijuana be legalized and sold commercially for recreational use?	Y*	Over 70% of voters support the legalization of Marijuana. The failed War on Drugs has empowered the cartels by pushing the drug trade underground, much like prohibition did, which gave us the Mob. Marijuana is not a "gateway" drug, and we are destroying people's lives, taking away their freedom, and wasting millions in taxpayer money to run thousands of people through the criminal justice system.
3. Should the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act be amended to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," which would require public schools and other public facilities to open up restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex?	Y*	I support any effort to expand the personal freedoms of all citizens who want peace. Further, I have never heard of people besides those who are transitioning using a different bath from their assigned sex at birth.
4. Should Pennsylvania enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which would include a new carbon tax on electricity producers?	Y*	We must reduce our carbon footprint and expand our revenue streams whenever possible. Further, I support expanding nuclear energy production, assuming we can streamline spent fuel storage and ensure public safety concerns.
5. Should increases in state government spending be limited to the rate of inflation plus population growth?	N*	The main problem in places like the 39 House District is a need for more investment from the state and federal governments. We can take steps to ensure fiscal responsibility, which includes closing loopholes and ending corporate welfare, which costs the state $4.9 billion annually, based on some studies.
6. Should state taxpayer funding be allowed for elective abortions?	Y*	Access to abortion is a healthcare right under state law. Hence, when necessary, the state should have money in place to assist people who need to access abortion and reproductive health care.
7. Should all voters be required to show identification before voting?	N*	The current election law passed with a bi-partisan voter several years ago has made voting easier while keeping our elections safe. Also, no evidence of increased security is needed right now.
8. Should striking union members have access to unemployment compensation?	Y*	Yes, PA should not help employers create economic conditions that undercut the ability of union members to seek a better deal for themselves while on strike. Further, accessing unemployment is receiving a benefit these people have paid into for years.
9. Should public schools be prohibited from allowing males who identify as females to compete in girls’ sports?	U*	The polling tells us the public does not at this time support biological males, who have transitioned to females competing. However, there are sports at the Olympic level that allow for participation on a sport-by-sport basis. Further, study and public input is needed to see if there is evolution on this issue over the next five to ten years.
10. Should schools have to post curriculum online for review by parents and taxpayers?	N*	Parents have every right to know what their child is being taught, and this can currently be easily accessed. As a teacher and school board member, adding another "transparency" provision like this is unnecessary.
11. Should funding for public and state-related universities follow the student rather than go directly to the institution?	N*	For years, public institutions were able to expand training and job readiness by offering affordable programs. We have a teaching, nursing, and police storage in part because we rank 49 out of 50 for higher education funding. This notion of the money following the student allows degree mills to soak taxpayers, not expand choice.