Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2022-2023 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Bogan holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary Spanish education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served for six years as a Spanish and English teacher at Ambridge Area School District.
She lives in Butler with her husband, Matt, and two children, Jake and Carson.
Brock holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a building substitute and long-term substitute gifted teacher at Central Valley School District.
She is a resident of Baden.
Burrows holds a master’s degree in effective teaching from Wilkes University (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) and a bachelor’s degree in art education from California University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a secondary art teacher (grades 6-8) at Knoch School District; as an elementary art teacher at Penns Valley Area School District (Spring Mills, Pa.); and as a secondary art teacher (6-8) at Charles County Public Schools (La Plata, Md.).
A resident of Butler, she and her husband, Jared, have one child, Camden.
Carchedi holds a master’s degree in education administration and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Youngstown State University. She previously served as a long-term substitute family & consumer science/Plant Preschool teacher at Mars Area High School and as a long-term substitute first grade teacher at Mars Area Primary Center.
A resident of Valencia, she and her husband, Matthew, have two children, Madeline and Dominic.
Drotar holds a master’s degree in curriculum, instruction and assessment as well as a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Gannon University. She previously served for 10 years as a fifth grade teacher and a fifth grade learning support teacher at North East School District (North East, Pa.).
A resident of Pittsburgh, she and her husband, Mike, have three children.
Gannon holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from James Madison University and a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a speech and language pathologist at John C. Myers Elementary School within Rockingham County Public Schools (Harrisonburg, Va.).
Heilmann holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as substitute teacher through Precision HR Solutions (Pittsburgh) and ESS (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and as a Title I aide at Allegheny Valley School District.
She is a resident of Springdale.
Hogan holds a master’s degree in counseling education (K-12), a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and a secondary social studies teaching certification from Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, Pa.). She previously served as a long-term substitute social studies teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Karam holds master’s degrees in autism and school supervision and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Slippery Rock University, where he is working toward a doctorate in special education. He also holds certifications in secondary social studies and special education, autism endorsement (preK-12) and special education supervision (preK-12).
He previously served as a special education instructor at Slippery Rock University; as director of special education and special populations at Redbank Valley School District, and as a learning support teacher at Mars Area High School.
Karam is a resident of Valencia.
Kozik holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies (7-12) and an English (7-12) teaching certification from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.). She previously served for 18 years as a substitute teacher at Butler Area School District.
A resident of Butler, she and her husband, Keith, have four children — Kaden, Kohen, Kallen and Kamden.
Krokonko holds a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pittsburgh. He previously served as a substitute teacher at Beaver Area School District.
He is a resident of Economy Borough.
Langer holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (preK-4) and special education (preK-8) from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a long-term substitute first grade teacher at Mars Area Primary Center and as a paraprofessional at Mars Area Elementary School.
Lohr holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Carlow University, registered nurse certification from UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing, and school nurse certification from La Roche University. She previously served as a school nurse at Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School and worked for 18 years at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital.
Mortier holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
She is a resident of Cranberry Township.
Reilly holds a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport, State University of New York and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ithaca College (Ithaca, N.Y.). She previously served for three years as an autistic support paraprofessional at Mars Area Primary Center and for five years as a middle school science teacher at East Irondequoit Central and Webster Central school districts.
A resident of Mars, she and her husband, Patrick, have two children — Ella and Sienna.
Rodgers holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Thiel College. She previously served as a registered nurse at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
A resident of Valencia, she and her husband, Stephen, have three children —Graham, Brooks and Connor.
Rominski holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (preK-4) and special education (K-12) from La Roche University. She previously served as a building substitute at Deer Lakes School District and completed her student teaching at Mars Area and Seneca Valley school districts.
A Mars Area High School graduate (Class of 2018), Rominski is a resident of Gibsonia.
Roos holds a bachelor’s degree in education as well as technology education and cooperative education certifications from California University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as a technology education teacher at Ambridge Area Senior High School.
Schumann holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (preK-4) and special education (K-12) from La Roche University. She previously worked for two year as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher at North Allegheny School District.
Titchworth holds a master degree in health & physical education (K-12) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt’s Kids program and as a building substitute teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School.
She and her husband, Mitchell, live in Pittsburgh.
Wyllie holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (preK-6) and special education (K-12) at Waynesburg University, where she is working toward a master’s degree in educational leadership. She previously served as a life skills teacher (K-3) at Butler Area School District.
She is a resident of Evans City.
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In addition to the previously mentioned new staff members, Mars Area School District has welcomed Zach Matusak as Athletics & Activities Director; Kim Albaugh as Human Resources (HR) Administrator; and Douglas Skelley as Assistant Principal at Mars Area High School.
Additional staffing changes include…
Jessica Semler, former Assistant Principal at Mars Area High School, is serving as a Substitute Principal at Mars Area Primary Center. Michaela Bonnet, previously a paraprofessional at Mars Area High School, has moved to the position of attendance secretary.
Patti Ewing, previously an art teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now the art teacher at Mars Area Middle School. Michele Weston, previously a sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now teaching eighth grade science at Mars Area Middle School.
At Mars Area Centennial School, April Whorf, formerly a gifted education teacher, is now a sixth grade teacher; and, Emily Dressen, previously a sixth grade teacher, is now the gifted education teacher. Justin Hartzell, formerly a fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, and Courtney Hyde, previously a special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, are now sixth grade teachers.
Stephanie Ising, previously a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, and Dr. Tammy Mitchell, formerly a sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, are now fifth grade teachers at Mars Area Centennial School. Kim Cooke, formerly a life skills teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is now a learning support teacher at Mars Area Centennial School.
Emily Banachoski, formerly a special education teacher at the school, is now teaching second grade at Mars Area Elementary School. Morgan Smallwood, formerly a special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a fourth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
Nicole Kolson, formerly a fifth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now the librarian/media studies teacher at Mars Area Elementary School. Emily Slatniske, special education teacher, has moved from Mars Area Primary Center to Mars Area Elementary School.
At Mars Area Primary Center, Christine Duff, previously a kindergarten teacher, is now teaching first grade at the school. Ashley Eldridge, special education teacher, has moved from Mars Area Middle School to Mars Area Primary Center.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.