Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2020-2021 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Allshouse holds a master’s degree in child psychology from Duquesne University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary & special education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a special education/emotional support teacher and special education coordinator at MHY Family Services; as a special education/emotional support teacher (Grades 3-6) at Pace School; and as an emotional support teacher at The Watson Institute.
She and her husband, Kyle, live in Mars with their two children, Mackenzie and Madeline.
Barnhart holds a master’s degree in secondary education and English from Slippery Rock University; a master’s degree in philosophy (film & screen studies) from the University of Cambridge (England); and a bachelor’s degree in English writing and film studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
She is a resident of Butler.
Dalbow holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education as well as technology education certification from Duquesne Uni-versity. She previously served as long-term substitute kindergarten teacher and student teacher at Mars Area Primary Center; and she also taught summer school at Mt. Lebanon School District.
She is a resident of Mars.
Friday holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from a Duquesne University. She previously worked as an occupational therapist at The Children’s Institute and as an occupational therapist for AOT Inc. at North Allegheny School District.
She and her husband, Sean, live in Valencia with their two children, Luke and Hannah.
Greco 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 special education teacher at Glade Run Lutheran Services and as an emotional support teacher at Ambridge Area School District.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
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 long-term substitute kindergarten teacher at Mars Area Primary Center; a long-term substitute second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School; an autistic support paraprofessional at Mars Area School District; as a day-to-day substitute teacher; and as a dance teacher at Star-Styled Dance Center.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Merryman holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (preK-8) and special education (preK-8) from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a mathematics learning support teacher at Freeport Area Middle School.
She is a resident of Worthington.
Rhea holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and English as a Second Language (ESL) certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a fourth grade assistant at Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (Naperville, Ill.); and as a first grade teacher at East Aurora School District 131 (Aurora, Ill.)
She and her husband, Darin, live in Valencia with their three children, Kylie, Oliver and McKenna.
Zeff holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Chatham University and bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Shenandoah University (Winchester, Va.). She previously served as a contracted occupational therapist at Carlynton School District; an occupational therapist at Pediatric Therapy Specialists; and an occupational therapist at Sensory Link Pediatric Therapy.
She is a resident of Valencia.
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In addition to the previously mentioned new staff members, the District has also welcomed Jill Colangeli as payroll & benefits administrator, in the District’s Business Office. Janeace Libby is a special education paraprofessional at Mars Area High School; Deneen Sims and Jakquilin Conchilla are paraprofessionals at Mars Area Middle School; and, Rita Verona is a paraprofessional at Mars Area Elementary School.
Additional staffing changes include…
Anastasia DiLorenzo, formerly a fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, was named acting principal at Mars Area Primary Center. Jacki Klingeman, previously a front office secretary at Mars Area Centennial School, is now secretary to the assistant superintendent at the District’s Adminstration Office.
Kallie Wright has moved from first grade at Mars Area Primary Center to a second grade teaching position at Mars Area Elementary School. Leah Golden, formerly a special education teacher at Mars Area Primary Center is sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School; and, Kayla Pittser, gifted education teacher, is now only at Mars Area Elementary School.
Debra Kravets has moved from sixth grade to a fifth grade teaching position at Mars Area Centennial School. Sharyn Lipnicky, formerly a sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School is now a fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School; and Dana Fenio, previously a fifth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
Chris Churilla and Colleen Hinrichsen, formerly STEAM teachers at both Mars Area Centennial School and Mars Area Elementary School, are now at Mars Area Centennial School and Mars Area Elementary School, respectively. Patti Ewing, previously an art teacher at Mars Area Centennial School and Mars Area Elementary School, is now only at Mars Area Elementary School.
Robyn Davies, formerly an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Mars Area High School, is now an English teacher at the school. Kenneth Cloonan, French teacher, and Erin Linden, Spanish teacher, are also serving as ESL teachers at Mars Area High School.
Misty Thurber, science teacher, has move from Mars Area High School to a seventh grade science teacher position at Mars Area Middle School. Joelle Patterson, health & physical education teacher, and Meghan McCaul, guidance counselor, will now be at both Mars Area High School and Mars Area Middle School.
Deanne Rapp, special education teacher, has moved from Mars Area Middle School to Mars Area Elementary School. Kim Fox, nurse paraprofessional, has moved from the District’s elementary schools to Mars Area High School and Mars Area Middle School.
Jennifer St. Clair, paraprofessional, has moved from Mars Area Middle School to Mars Area Elementary School; and, Lisa Myers, paraprofessional, from Mars Area Primary Center to Mars Area Elementary School.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.