Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2021-2022 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Dressen holds a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and a master’s degree in English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual education from the American College of Education (Indianapolis, Ind.). She previously served as a long-term substitute teacher at Mars Area Middle School; a fifth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School; and a fifth grade teacher at Chicago Public Schools.
She is a resident of Wexford.
Duff holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Roosevelt University (Chicago, Ill.). She previously served as a fifth grade teacher for the Diocese of Chicago and Diocese of Pittsburgh schools; and as a long-term substitute teacher at Butler Area School District.
She and her husband, Matt, live in Valencia with their two children, Liam and Ben.
Eldridge holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lourdes University (Sylvania, Ohio) and special education certification from Indiana Wesleyan University. She previously served as an intervention specialist/literary lessons at Marion City Schools (Ohio).
She and her husband, Ryan, live in Mars with their two children, Carter and Harper.
Fox, a certified school nurse holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Akron. She previously served as a nurse paraprofessional at Mars Area School District and as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse.
She and her husband, Justin, live in Valencia with their two children, Maddalena and Clara.
Ising holds a master’s degree in instruction and learning from the University of Pittsburgh a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh — Johnstown; and is certified in library/media studies (Pre-K-12) and science (7-9). She previously served as a technology teacher/technology coordinator and an elementary classroom teacher at Eden Christian Academy and as a substitute teacher at local school districts.
She and her husband, Brian, live in Mars.
Lokhaiser holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a substitute teacher at Mars Area Elementary School and in the autism support room at Mars Area Primary Center.
A resident of Adams Township, she has four children, Sebastian, Coali, Ana and Kaiya. She and her fiancée, Bobby, plan to marry in September.
Lucente holds a master’s degree in communication science and disorders from California University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in communication science and disorders from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously worked in Big Beaver Falls Area School District for seven years as well as at Center4Speech outpatient clinic.
She and her husband, Jeffrey, live in the North Hills with their daughter, Lucy.
Lumpp holds a master’s degree in reading from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Westminster College. She previously served as a kindergarten teacher at St. Francis School, a kindergarten teacher at Urban Pathways Charter School, and a fifth grade reading specialist at Butler Middle School.
She and her husband, Steve, live in Butler with their 2-year-old, Brooks.
Rhea holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and English as a Second Language (ESL) certification from National Louis University. She previously served as a long-term substitute first grade and art teacher at Mars Area Primary Center; as a fourth grade assistant at Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (Naperville, Ill.); and 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.
Takacs holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education/special education from Thiel College. She previously served as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher in the District.
She and her husband, Jason, live in Cranberry Township with their son, Elias.
Urso holds a master’s degree in education (with a concentration in special education and social studies education) from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Allegheny College. He previously served as a substitute social studies teacher at Franklin Regional High School; an extended school year (ESY) fifth grade teacher at Mt. Lebanon School District; and as an autistic support and ninth grade civics teacher at Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Alderdice High School.
He is a resident of Fox Chapel.
Webber holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and elementary education certification from Pennsylvania State University. She previously served as an elementary/middle school teacher at State College Area School District and as a middle school teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy.
She and her husband, Joseph, live in Mars with their three children Austin, Brandon and Carson.
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In addition to the previously mentioned new staff members, Mars Area School District has welcomed Debbie Brandstetter as Business Manager and Christina Smith as Director of Transportation. New paraprofessionals include Daniella Zenone at Mars Area Elementary School and Luke Cisar and Christine Milano at Mars Area Centennial School.
Additional staffing changes include…
Dale Sleva Jr., former assistant principal at Mars Area High School, was named principal at Mars Area Primary Center. Jessica Semler, formerly a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, moved to the position of assistant principal at Mars Area High School.
Angela McCoy, previously the guidance counselor at Mars Area Centennial School, is now the guidance counselor at Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Primary Center. Amanda Wilson, formerly the guidance counselor at Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Primary Center, has moved to Mars Area Centennial School.
Melissa Steiner, previously a kindergarten teacher, has moved to a K-6 ESL (English as a Second Language) position. Sheela Miller, formerly a special education teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is now a second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
Sasha Zavacky, formerly a first grade teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is now a reading specialist at the school. Amy Zollner, formerly a kindergarten teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is a reading specialist at Mars Area Elementary School.
Courtney Gallagher, previously a special education/life skills teacher at Mars Area Middle School, is now the library/media studies teacher and gifted teacher at the school. Leah Golden has moved from sixth grade to a fifth grade teaching position at Mars Area Centennial School.
Kelly Senkoski, formerly a learning support teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a life skills teacher at the school. Kelly Bjalobok, who previously served as a reading specialist at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a Title I reading specialist at Mars Area Primary Center.
John Wesley has moved to the position of Buildings & Grounds Maintenance Administrator and Randy Smith to Buildings & Grounds Custodial and Related Services Administrator.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.