Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2023-2024 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Ahlgren holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and English as a Second Language (ESL) certification from Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV. She previously served as a third grade teacher at St. Wendelin Catholic School (Butler) and as a fourth grade teacher at Gwinnett County Public Schools (Ga.).
She is a resident of Renfrew.
Belsterling holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a kindergarten teacher, long-term substitute first grade teacher and building substitute at Riverside Elementary School and as an assistant teacher at Bright Horizons Family Solutions.
She is a resident of Zelienople.
Burch holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Southern Illinois University. She has previously served as a long-term substitute fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School and as a long-term substitute second grade teacher at Thomas Elementary School (Carbondale, Ill.).
She lives in Wexford.
Childers holds a master’s degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from PennWest California and a bachelor’s degree in child development & family relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as an elementary guidance counselor at Elizabeth Forward School District; a school counselor at Catalyst Academy Charter School, and a school-based therapist at Wesley Family Services.
Ewing holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from Grove City College. She previously served as a long-term substitute sixth grade teacher at Norwin School District and as a day-to-day substitute teacher at Hempfield Area and Norwin school districts.
She is a resident of Mars.
Fischer holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education (K-12) from PennWest Edinboro. She previously served as a pre-K teacher at Boro Little Learners Academy.
She is a resident of Ambridge.
Gall holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in communication science disorders from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a secondary program teacher at Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind.
She is a resident of Shaler.
Hey holds a bachelor’s degree in early education (preK-4) and special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in applied behavior analytics. She previously served as a first and second grade learning support teacher at North Allegheny School District.
She and her husband, Garrett, live in Portersville.
Janeda holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood (preK-6) and special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a long-term substitute fourth grade teacher and elementary building substitute at Hampton Township School District.
She is a resident of Ross Township.
Lally holds a master’s degree early childhood and special education and a bachelor’s degree in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a first grade learning support teacher and building substitute at South Fayette Elementary School and as a building substitute at South Fayette Intermediate School.
She is a resident of Dormont.
Loebig holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics from Duquesne University. He previously served as a substitute teacher at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
He is a resident of Dormont.
Nusser holds a master’s degree in special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (preK-4) from Duquesne University. She previously served as a kindergarten teacher in Fairfax County Public School (Va.).
A resident of Zelienople, she and her husband, Jim, have one child, Sutton.
Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a learning support teacher (9-12) at Propel Charter Schools; a learning support teacher (K-2) for Pine-Richland Virtual Academy and Extended School Year (ESY) program; and a learning support teacher (9-12) at North Hills High School.
She and her husband, Jasin, live in Allison Park.
Russell holds a master’s degree in special education (preK-12) and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Pennsylvania State University. She completed her student teaching at Mount Nittany Elementary School (K-2 autistic/behavior support) and State College Area High School (life skills) in State College, Pa.; and West Branch Area Elementary School (kindergarten) in Morrisdale, Pa.
Schmidhamer holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from St. Francis University. She previously served as a long-term substitute fifth grade learning support teacher at Glendale School District (Flinton, Pa.) and as an Extended School Year (ESY) teacher Glendale and Mars Area school districts.
She is a resident of Middlesex Township.
Smithmyer holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as an autistic support/inclusion teacher at Altoona Area School District.
She is a resident of Gibsonia.
Steel holds a master’s degree in counseling (with a specialization in school counseling) from Geneva College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She previously served as a K-6 school counselor at Aliquippa Elementary School and as a counselor at Women’s Center of Beaver County.
She is a resident of Beaver Falls.
Tracey holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from PennWest California and an associate’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh — Titusville. She previously served as a registered nurse at Titusville Area Hospital, Crawford Central School District (Meadville, Pa.), and Jeffco Public Schools (Lakewood, Colo.).
She and her husband, Christopher, live in Wexford.
Ware holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education at Grove City College. She previously served as a first grade teacher at Fox Chapel Area School District.
She is a resident of Allison Park.
Wild holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood (preK-4) and special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in K-12 reading specialist. She previously served as a long-term substitute first grade and fourth grade teacher at Chartiers Valley School District and as a long-term substitute GATE teacher (K-3) at Avonworth School District.
She is a resident of Shaler.
Zilian holds a master’s degree in speech/language pathology from Carlow University and a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from West Virginia University. She previously served as a teacher at Allie Alligator Learning Center.
She is a resident of Wexford.
New secretaries joining the District include Dana DeBasi (athletics secretary), Jacqueline Kovach (building secretary), and Patricia Newman (attendance secretary) at Mars Area High School as well as Kelly Ziegler (building secretary) at Mars Area Centennial School.
The District’s Maintenance Department is welcoming Paul Burkovich, Greg Kocuba and David Surman and, also new to the District is custodian John Brydon.
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In addition to the previously mentioned new staff members, Mars Area School District has welcomed Vanessa Morrow, as a secretary in the District’s Special Education Office; Benjamin S Neff II, a school psychologist in the District’s Special Education Office; and Robert W. Barnhart III, an IT Support technician in the District’s Technology Office.
Additional staffing changes include…
Jessica Semler, former substitute principal at Mars Area Primary Center, is now the school’s principal. Stacie Sill, formerly a secretary at Mars Area Centennial School, is now serving as secretary to the business manager in the District’s Administration Office.
Kelli Schiffhauer, previously a second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, has moved to third grade at the school. Kelly Senkowski, previously a special education teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is second grade teacher at the school.
Dana Paolini, who was previously a special education teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, has moved to Mars Area Elementary School. Tylor Takacs, previously a learning support teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a third grade teacher at the school.
Emily Dressen, previously a gifted education teacher at Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Centennial School, is now a sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School; Alyssa Greco, previously an emotional support teacher at Mars Area Centennial School is now a life skills teacher at Mars Area Elementary School; and Leah Golden, previously a fifth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a special education teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.