Several new faces are joining the staff of Mars Area School District at the start of the 2026-2027 School Year. New teachers/staff members include:
Benedek holds a master’s degree in secondary mathematics and a bachelor’s degree in communications (digital media) from PennWest University. He previously served as a long-term substitute mathematics teacher at Quaker Valley High School.
He will also serve as the head coach of the Mars Area High School Fightin’ Planets Varsity Football Team. Benedek is a resident of Wexford.
Cerra holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a social work intern at Mars Area Elementary School during the 2024-2025 school year.
“I’m very excited to be back at the place that helped me grow!”
She is a resident of Allison Park
Connell holds a master’s degree in literacy and a bachelor’s degree in special education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a junior high learning support teacher at Washington School District and as an autistic support teacher (Grades 3-5) at Penn Hills School District.
She lives in Gibsonia.
Criswell holds a master’s degree in social work from Carlow University and is a licensed social worker. She previously served as a teacher-counselor at Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services.
She lives in Zelienople.
Fedele holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Pennsylvania State University. She previously served as a mathematics teacher at North Catholic High School.
Hillwig holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University and an associate’s degree in fine arts from Butler County Community College. She previously served as a Kids on Campus summer instructor at Butler County Community College; and as a substitute teacher and a student teacher at Butler Area School District.
She is a resident of Chicora, Pa.
Hyde holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Slippery Rock University and is pursuing a degree in school counseling from PennWest Edinboro University. She previously served as a fourth grade English/language arts teacher at Gordon County School District (Ga.); a sixth grade mathematics and special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School; and a special education teacher at South Allegheny School District.
A Mars resident, she and her husband, Christopher, have two children, Kahle and Kasen.
Intartaglio holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mansfield University and school nurse certification from Millersville University. She previously served as school nurse aide at Abington Heights School District and as a school nurse aide at Shaler Area School District.
An Allison Park resident, she has one child, Leo.
Kissell holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics/secondary education from Seton Hill University. He previously served as a long-term substitute teacher at Elizabeth Forward School District.
He is a resident of Allison Park.
Knicely holds a school nurse certification from Eastern University. She previously served as a registered nurse at Amergis Educational/Healthcare Staffing; a private duty nurse at Angels of Care, and a pediatric nurse at Bayada Pediatrics.
She is a resident of New Castle.
Kraus holds a master’s degree in teaching biology (7-12), a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, a certificate in sustainability, and minors in chemistry and Slovak studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He previously served as a biology and chemistry student teacher at Mt. Lebanon High School; an environmental education intern naturalist at Allegheny County Parks Department — Latodami Nature Center; and a scholarship, student engagement and education programs assistant at Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs.
He is a resident of Ross Township.
Kush holds a bachelor’s degree in special education (K-12) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as building substitute teacher and substitute paraprofessional at East Union Intermediate Center (Deer Lakes School District) and as an elementary/middle school special education teacher at The Watson Institute.
He lives in Cranberry Township.
Leapline holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She previously taught seventh grade science at South Fayette School District.
A Mars resident, she and her husband, Justin, have four children, Lila, Quest, Elanor and Riker.
Lunsford holds a master’s degree in instruction and learning and a bachelor’s degree with an education focus from the University of Pittsburgh, and a school administration certificate from Robert Morris University. She previously served as a sixth and seventh grade mathematics teacher and Grades 6-12 department head at Knoch School District; a sixth grade mathematics teacher at Woodland Hills School District, and a sixth grade math and science teacher at Urban Pathways 6-12 Charter School.
A resident of Middlesex Township, she and her husband Andrew have one child, Kimberly.
Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a learning and emotional support at Ambridge Area Middle School and a Title I reading aide at Shenango Elementary School.
She and her husband, Gavyn Barnes, live in Cranberry Township.
Matthews holds a master’s degree in reading specialist (preK-12) and instructional coaching endorsement from Slippery Rock University, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Pittsburgh — Johnstown, and structured literacy dyslexia interventionist certification from Robert Morris University. She previously served as a first grade teacher at Waynesboro Area School District, a first and third grade teacher at Propel Charter Schools, and a reading specialist at Pittsburgh-Mount Oliver Intermediate Unit 2.
A Mars Area graduate (Class of 2010), Matthews lives in Hampton.
Neurohr holds a master’s degree in reading specialist from the University of Pittsburgh and bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Duquesne University. She previously served as an elementary teacher (Grades K-2) at Northside Catholic Assumption Academy.
A resident of Franklin Park, she and her husband, Eric, have one child, Eddie.
Osche holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Calow University. She previously served as a school nurse at The Ellis School, a nurse at Fox Chapel Area School District, and a nurse at Hampton.
A resident of Pittsburgh, she has two children, Elizabeth and Ryan.
Ray holds a master’s degree in human resource management from La Roche College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University. He previously served as a patrolman with McCandless Police Department.
A Zelienople resident, he and his wife, Cindi, have two children, Tyler Ray and Corey Zubic.
Richards holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Slippery Rock University. She previously served as a long-term substitute teacher at North Hills School District, a building substitute at North Allegheny School District, and a long-term substitute teacher at Seneca Valley School District.
She is a resident of Allison Park.
Rodriguez holds a master’s degree in education/reading specialist and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/special education from Slippery Rock University. He previously served as a paraprofessional and long-term substitute teacher at Mars Area School District and as a fourth grade mathematics teacher at Insight PA Cyber Charter School.
A Gibsonia resident, she and her husband, Matt, have three children, Bailey, Teresa and Vinny.
Scheiffarth holds a master’s degree in school counseling (K-12) from Duquesne University; a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh; and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-6) from Pennsylvania State University. She previously served as a school counseling intern and counseling substitute at Fox Chapel Area School District; a K-2 classroom teacher, K-8 yoga and mindfulness teacher at the University of Pittsburgh’s Falk Lab School; and as a foster care social worker at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh.
She and her husband, Johannes, live in Cheswick.
Schnur holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ohio University, an associate’s degree in nursing from Community College of Allegheny County, and school nurse certification from Eastern University. She previously served as a school nurse at Hampton Township School District; a telephonic triage nurse at Lutheran Senior Life Visiting Nurses Association; a registered nurse case manager at UPMC Jefferson Regional Home Health; and a professional staff nurse at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC & UPMC Presbyterian.
She is a resident of Valencia.
Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/social studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was previously a high school and middle school social studies teacher at Frazier School District, where he also served as a head football coach.
A resident of Penn-Trafford, he and his wife, Nikki, have three children, Michael, Natalie and Nicholas.
Stansal-Collins holds a master’s degree in instructional design from Anderson University, a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from York University, and a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from the University of Toronto. She previously served as a teacher at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (Ont.); a part-time admissions reader at Carnegie Mellon University; and as a substitute teacher at Pine-Richland School District.
Trautman holds a bachelor's degree in preK-4 general education preK-8 special education from La Roche University. She previously served as a learning support teacher (K-2) at Slippery Rock Area School District.
She and her husband, Damian, live in Mars.
Weddell holds a master’s degree in business administration from Point Park University, a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Central Oklahoma, and teacher certification from Robert Morris University.
He previously served as a graduate recovery and business teacher at PA Distance Learning Charter School; a substitute teacher at Pine-Richland School District, a long-term substitute teacher at Quaker Valley School District; and a vice president of technology service center for The Bank of New York Mellon.
Yates holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from California University of Pennsylvania and Police Act 120 certification from Community College of Beaver County. He previously served as a corporal, child abuse investigator, and school resource officer with Brighton Township Police Department.
A Beaver resident, he and his wife, Kara, have six grown children.
The District also welcomes Brooks Roorback, who will serve as assistant principal at Mars Area Elementary School; Zack Haines, Director of Human Resources; Coulton Stewart, Payroll & Employee Benefits Administrator; and Amanda Anke, behavior analyst.
New paraprofessionals include Melissa Gulnac at Mars Area High School; Carla Barnhart at Mars Area High School; Emma Leibfred at Mars Area Centennial School; Tabassuma Bari, Jocelyn Gerwig, Wiebke Gloeckner, Jaisa Marasco, Izabella Pettigrew and Monica Rander at Mars Area Elementary School; Delaney Bitzer, Shaunenne Holt, Emily McWilliams and Lindsay Tedrow at Mars Area Primary Center.
New secretaries Barbara Iman and Kelly Labasik at Mars Area High School; Jessica Nusser at Mars Area Middle School; Paige Miller at Mars Area Centennial School; and Kylee Bobak at Mars Area Elementary School have also joined the District staff.
***
Additional staffing changes include…
Jill Schiller, previously a sixth grade special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a math interventionist at the school. Brady Zbikowski, previously a special education teacher at Mars Area High School, is now a gifted education teacher at the school.
Larry Crawford, previously a school police officer at Mars Area Middle School, has moved to Mars Area Elementary School. Kelli Senkowski, previously a second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a kindergarten teacher at Mars Area Primary Center.
Melissa Fox, previously a reading specialist at Mars Area Elementary, is now a second grade teacher at the school. Amanda Morello, previously a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a gifted teacher at Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Primary Center.
Stephanie Ising, previously a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a library/media studies teacher at the school. Beverly Mack, previously a library/media studies teacher at Mars Area Elementary School, is now a third grade teacher.
Kassandra Byrnes, previously a sixth grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a third grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School. Julie Wahl, previously a special education teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, is now a reading specialist at the school.
Lindsay Kruljac, a paraprofessional, has moved from Mars Area Primary Center to Mars Area Centennial School. Carly Janeda, previously a first grade teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, is now a second grade teacher at Mars Area Elementary School.
For more information, call (724) 625-1518.