As the 2025-2026 School Year comes to a close, Mars Area School District is saying goodbye to several retiring teachers/staff members:
Banze joined the District in 1998 as a fourth grade teacher at Middlesex Elementary School. In 2004, she moved to the current Mars Area Elementary School when Middlesex and Adams elementary schools were consolidated; then in 2027, to the new Mars Area Centennial School, where she taught fifth grade; before moving back to Mars Area Elementary School as a gifted education teacher in 2024.
She previously served as a substitute teacher at Shaler Area School District; a teaching assistant at North Hill School District; and a fifth grade teacher at King William County Schools (Va.). Banze holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pennsylvania State University.
In her retirement, she plans a move to the beach.
Gaydos joined the District in 2003 as a special education diagnostician. She previously served as a coordinator of early intervention and a special education teacher at Caroline County Public Schools (Md.) and Greensburg-Salem School District.
She holds a master’s degree in instruction & learning from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in special & elementary education from Slippery Rock University.
In her retirement, she plans to travel, spend time with her family and friends, and enjoy quiet time in the morning.
Hetzel worked at Federated Investors and Morgan Stanley before deciding to pursue a career change and joining the District as a computer teacher at Mars Area Middle School in 2002. In 2027, she became a technology coach at Mars Area Centennial School, then moved to the position of BCIT teacher at Mars Area High School in 2012.
She holds a master’s degree in business education from Robert Morris University and a bachelor’s degree in BCIT with K-12 certification from Robert Morris University.
In her retirement, she plans to spend time with her grandson and welcome a new granddaughter in the fall. She also plans to play Pickleball; enjoy slow mornings drinking coffee on her deck; and looks forward to the freedom retirement brings and the opportunity to do some traveling and make new memories.
Jones joined the District as a third grade teacher at Adams Elementary School in 1994. In 2008, she moved to the position of librarian/media studies teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, before moving back to teaching third grade at the school in 2018.
Prior to joining the District, she served as a babysitter and a daycare/preschool teacher while in college. She holds a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary & kindergarten education from Penn State University.
In her retirement, she is looking forward to the flexibility to do things with and for her family; to travel in months other than June, July and August; and to read lots of good books.
Before joining the District as a Kindergarten teacher in 2005, King worked in the insurance industry and was a stay-at-home mom.
She holds a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a bachelor’s degree in management from Bentley University (Mass.).
In her retirement, she plans to spend more time with family; enjoy Mother Nature; possibly find a third career (part-time); get more sleep; and not worry so much.
Kuremsky began his teaching career at Mars Area High School District in 1991. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College.
Despite retiring as a teacher, Kuremsky youngest son is still at Mars Area High School, so he plans to serve as a substitute teacher in the District and to continue to announce high school football and basketball games.
Kwong previously served as a cafeteria monitor in the District. Prior to joining the District, she served as a senior secretary at IBM Corporation.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in education/human development from Binghamton University’s School of Education and Human Development.
In her retirement, she looks forward to spending more time with family and friends.
Lipnicky joined the District in 2006 as a fifth grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School and in 2007 moved to the new Mars Area Centennial School, where she also served as a sixth grade teacher. She previously was as a registered nurse at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary (K-6) education from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University.
In her retirement, she plans to enjoy family time with her new granddaughter; to travel; cook; read; and relax.
Wack joined the District as a substitute teacher in 1986 before becoming a full-time teacher in 1988.
She holds a master’s degree equivalency from Point Park University; a bachelor’s degree in animal production, a vocational agriculture teaching certificate, and general science teaching certificate from Penn State University; and a biology teaching certificate from Slippery Rock University
In her retirement, she plans to fish, garden, boat, see more of her grandsons, travel, and spend time with her already retired colleagues.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.