Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2018-2019 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Carchedi holds a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Youngstown State University. She previously served as a choir teacher and assistant band director at West Branch Local Schools (Beloit, Ohio), where she also directed the high school’s “Young & Alive” show choir and middle school musicals.
Cooke holds a master’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University, a master’s degree in special education from Carlow University; and a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Marywood University. She previously served as a learning support teacher at Woodland Hills School District; an autistic support and early intervention teacher at Allegheny Intermediate Unit; and as a therapist at Western Psychiatric Hospital.
A resident of Pittsburgh, she has three children, Lily, Celena and Shaun.
Dalbow holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Duquesne University. She previously served as a student teacher in first grade at Mars Area Primary Center and taught summer school at Mt. Lebanon School District.
She is a resident of Wexford.
Ferguson holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as an elementary emotional support teacher at Ambridge Area School District.
She is a resident of Baden.
Foster holds a master’s degree in speech & language pathology, and a bachelor’s degree in speech & language pathology and audiology from Clarion University, where she also minored in special education.
She previously served as a long-term substitute speech therapist at Highcliff Elementary School (North Hills School District) and at Penn Hills Elementary and Linton Middle School (Penn Hills School District).
Golden holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a teacher/camp counselor at Bright Horizons; and she student taught at Pine-Richland School District.
She is a resident of McCandless.
Greco holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Slippery Rock University and is pursuing a master’s degree in learning technology & design in schools at Mizzou University of Missouri. She previously served as an elementary learning support and autistic support teacher at Ambridge Area School District and as a learning support teacher at Mt. Lebanon School District.
Haefner holds a master’s degree in special education from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Robert Morris University. He previously served as a special education paraprofessional at Mars Area School District and as a long-term substitute social studies teacher at Shenango Area School District.
He is a resident of Seven Fields.
Hamilton holds a master’s degree in special education (behavior management) and a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Edinboro University. He previously served as a learning support teacher at Oil City Area School District; a caregiver at Trust Employee Administration & Management; and as a residential aide at Barber National Institute.
Hixson holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (preK-8) and special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a day-to-day substitute teacher; and as a dance teacher at Star-Styled Dance Center.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Hnat holds a master’s degree in school counseling from Duquesne University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University Bloomington. She previously served as a special education paraprofessional at St. Anthony’s School Programs; a school counseling intern at North Allegheny School District; a long-term substitute school counselor at Hampton High School; and a school therapeutic counselor at Pine-Richland School District.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Hyde holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary & special education from Slippery Rock University and is pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling at Edinboro University. She previously served as a fifth grade teacher at Logansport Community School Corporation and as a special education teacher at South Allegheny Middle/Senior High School.
She and her husband, Christopher, live in Sewickley with their two children, Kahle and Kasen.
Klein holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Elizabethtown College. She previously served as a school social worker at Penn Hills High School and as a school social work intern at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
She is a resident of Banksville.
Miller holds a master’s degree in special education from Geneva College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary and kindergarten education at Pennsylvania State University. She previously served as a learning support teacher (3-5) and a sixth grade teacher at Ambridge Area School District.
Oliverio holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in school psychology from Duquesne University and bachelor’s degrees from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. She previously served as a contracted school psychologist at Pine-Richland School District, at Soliant Health, and River Pediatrics.
She and her husband, Ben, live in Mars.
Padovani holds a master’s degree in instruction & learning and a bachelor’s degree in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a long-term substitute second grade teacher at Sto-Rox School District and as a learning support teacher (Grades 6-8) at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Rapp holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously worked at Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV, serving as a special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School.
A resident of Pittsburgh, Rapp has a one son, Tyler.
Schiller holds a master’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She previously served as a special education teacher at Shaler Area School District.
Senkoski holds a master’s degree in education (with a concentration on students with mental and physical disabilities) as well as bachelor’s degrees in applied developmental psychology and early childhood & special education from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as an autistic support paraprofessional at North Hills School District; a pre-kindergarten teacher at Tender Care Learning Center; and as an interim special education teacher and long-term substitute kindergarten teacher at Freedom Area School District.
She and her son, Teddy, live in Sewickley.
Stash holds a master’s degree in health & physical education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in exercise science and a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from California University of Pennsylvania, and has earned credits toward a degree in kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University.
She previously worked in lease administration (real estate) for Fischer & Company; served as physical education summer program teacher and long-term substitute health & physical education teacher at Upper St. Clair High School; a health & physical education teacher at Ringgold Middle School; a health teacher facilitator and curriculum development subject matter expert at Lincoln Learning Solutions; and as a long-term substitute health & physical education teacher at Mt. Lebanon High School and Jefferson Middle School.
She is a resident of Beechview, Pa.
Valenson holds a master’s degree in reading education, bachelor’s degrees in sociology and elementary education, and a reading specialist certification from the University of Pittsburgh.
She previously served as a second grade teacher for the Diocese of Pittsburgh; an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher (working with children with dyslexia and language-based differences using the Wilson Reading System) at Allegheny Intermediate Unit; and as a pre-K teacher assistant at Riverview Children’s Center.
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In addition to the previously mentioned new staff members, the District has also welcomed Ryan Morgan as Director of Technology. Melanee Killian is a nurse paraprofessional at Mars Area High School and Mars Area Middle School.
Mars Area Primary Center welcomed new main office secretary Daleen Paulsen as well as new paraprofessionals Rebecca Crum-Reinsel, Carol Logue, Bethany Ratcliffe and Tyler Takas. Paraprofessionals Mary Kay Gaura, Paul Lydon and Bethannie McMichael joined the staff at Mars Area Middle School, Mars Area High School and Mars Area Centennial School, respectively.
Additional staffing changes include…
Holly Meckler, formerly sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now an English teacher at Mars Area High School. Kate Kokal and Debra Kravets, formerly special education teachers at Mars Area Elementary School, are now sixth grade teachers at Mars Area Centennial School.
Nicole Kolson, formerly a second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, has moved to a fifth grade teaching position at Mars Area Centennial School. Kelly Hathazy, former gifted education teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is a fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
Yvonne Scott, paraprofessional, moved from Mars Area Elementary School to Mars Area Middle School. Jennifer St. Clair, paraprofessional, moved from Mars Area Centennial School to Mars Area Middle School.
Mary Jo Cohen, paraprofessional, moved from Mars Area Middle School to Mars Area High School. Kayley Thomas, former secretary at Mars Area Primary Center, has moved to Mars Area High School’s main office.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.