Born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, Tracy Eberhardt developed a love for working with individuals with special needs at an early age. One of Tracy’s first jobs as a young teenager was caring for a neighbor’s special needs child. This passion continued to grow as Tracy earned her teaching degree in special education from California University of Pennsylvania and later her master’s degree in special education from Seton Hill University.
Tracy went on to work as a special education teacher for the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit for almost two decades before moving to the Belle Vernon Area School District as their middle school life skills teacher. Tracy’s patience and enthusiasm that she showed when she worked with these truly amazing kids earned her the respect and love of her colleagues as well as the families of the children she served.
Tracy lit up every room she walked into with her humor and caring personality and was immediately loved by everyone she met. When Tracy passed away suddenly due to a medical issue in May 2023 at the age of 42, she left a hole in the hearts and lives of her husband, two young daughters, and family who she loved dearly.
The outpouring of support for Tracy and stories of how she positively affected the lives of colleagues in the special education field and the positive impact that Tracy had on the children with special needs and their families led her husband and daughters to establish the Tracy S. Eberhardt Memorial Fund. This fund will be used to award grants to a variety of projects, scholarships and organizations in Westmoreland County that serve and care for these same individuals that Tracy dedicated her life to helping.
It was often said that Tracy was born to be a special education teacher. Her family would like to keep her legacy alive by helping others who share her passion for helping those with special needs in the community.