Posted by Administrator on January 11, 2010
Take Action: 5 things and 15 minutes = a lifetime of retirement security
1. Sign up to receive PSEA’s Pension Text Message Alerts – you will receive breaking news and action alerts via cell phone so you can take action quickly. (You will only receive texts about the pension issue.) To sign up:
* Text 717-514-2880 and use your Member ID number as the body of the text (Member ID numbers can be found on membership cards).
* Register online (member login required)
* Save your legislators’ office phone numbers as cell phone contacts for quick action when you receive a text alert.
2. Make sure PSEA has your personal e-mail address. (PSEA does not mail to school e-mail accounts.) Members can update their addresses at www.psea.org/myprofile.
3. Make sure you send your home phone number and cell phone number to your local president for your local emergency phone chain.
4. Write or e-mail your state legislators at www.psea.org/ActNow.
5. Demonstrate the power of PSEA. PSEA members are encouraged to contribute to PSEA’s Political Action Committee for Education at www.psea.org/pace.
Posted by Administrator on
From the PT Star:
Two incumbents and two newcomers were elected to the nine-member Penn Trafford School Board on Tuesday.
Incumbents Larry Harrison and Jay Tray won four-years terms in Regions 1 and 2, respectively. Newcomers Rich Niemiec and Toni Ising won four-year terms in Regions 2 and 3. Ising, who crossfiled, ran unopposed and received 1,223 votes.
The four will take office in December.
All results are unofficial until confirmed by the county elections department.
Region 1
Incumbent Republican Larry Harrison, 67, bested former school board member Sallie Bradley, 68, a Democrat, by a margin of 1,087 to 591.
Harrison said he’s excited to continue serving on the board.
“It’s gratifying in the sense that I must have been doing some things right that satisfied the voters and residents,” he said Tuesday night. “I’m looking forward to working with fellow board members.
“I think with everyone working together, we could make significant headway toward that goal.”
During his campaign, he said the school board must focus on upgrading facilities, holding the line on taxes and having 100 percent proficiency in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment in the upcoming years.
Region 2
Incumbent Jay Tray, 62, who was crossfiled, and newcomer Republican Rich Niemiec, 51, won two four-year terms in the region with 1,049 and 822 votes, respectively. Democrat Rose Ann Pfeiffer, 72, came in third with 571 votes.
Tray, who was appointed to the school board two years ago, said he was excited to win his first election.
“It was a very pleasant surprise,” he said Tuesday night. “I’m delighted to continue on for four more years, and I will certainly pay attention to the needs of our diverse population.
“We’re facing some consolidation and some building, and we’ll strive to maintain the strong education standards of the district.”
Niemiec said he’s looking forward to serving on the board.
“I’m excited about the outcome of the election, and I’m anxious to get started and hopefully make a difference for the people who put their faith in me,” he said. “By being John Wilforth’s replacement on the board I have some big shoes to fill. I hope I can serve the community as well as he did.”
Posted by Administrator on
Name: Ed Miller
School: Levelgreen Elementary
Position: 3rd Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor’s Degree from Slippery Rock University
Currently working towards a Master’s
Graduated from Bullskin Elementary in 1990 as an honorable mention for the Honor Roll
Colleges Attended: Slippery Rock, Gannon University, and Performance Learning Systems
Teaching Experience:
Substitute Teacher for the Penn-Trafford School District
Hired as a full time Penn-Trafford teacher in 2004
Favorite moment in teaching:
When I realize that a child who is struggling with a concept finally gets it.
Hobbies
Fox hunting and the great outdoors, golfing, softball, motorcycles and videography. |
Posted by Administrator on
Name: Amy Damaska
School: Sunrise Elementary
Position: 1st Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
Colleges attended:
Clarion University 1995 – 2000
Awards:
Teacher’s Excellence Center Nominee for the 2004 – 2005 School Year
Won the National Speech and Drama Award
Related Experience:
Taught “Tap and Jazz” to elementary age children
Favorite Moment in Teaching:
The small, everyday moments when you see a child gain an understanding of a concept that you are teaching. Also, I love getting to know each student as an individual. |
Posted by Administrator on
Name: Vincent Giovannitti
School: Levelgreen Elementary
Position: 5th Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from the University of Pittsburgh
Teaching Experience:
Substitute Teacher for the Penn-Trafford School District
Hired as a full time Penn-Trafford teacher in 2004
Related Experience:
Deer Valley Facillitator
Personal Information:
Recently, happily married to Kristy! Also known as, “The Original 80′s Man!” |
Posted by Administrator on
Name: Kristy Giovannitti
School: Sunrise Elementary
Position: 1st Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor from Seton Hill University
Teaching Certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Currently taking graduate classes through Gannon University
Penn-Trafford Graduate
Awards:
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
My favorite moment in teaching:
Every year I love watching how much the children grow academically and socially.
Hobbies/Interests:
I enjoy reading, shopping, attending Pitt football games, and spending time with my family. |
Posted by Administrator on
|
Name: Cathy Dettore
School: Sunrise Elementary
Position: 1st Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
California University of PA
Master’s in Elementary Education
California University of PA
Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:
Assist. Director of Allegheny General Hospital’s Child Care Center
Owner and Operator of a Child Care Center (10 years)
My favorite moment in teaching:
I was joking with my first graders and said, “Of course EVERYBODY loves Mrs. Dettore!” A, “Dennis the Menace,” type little boy looked at me with a gleam in his eye and said, “Don’t be too sure of that!”
Hobbies/Interests:
Running, aerobics, and collecting cows! |
Posted by Administrator on
|
Name: Angie Mastroianni
School: Harrison Park
Position: 1st Grade |
Education/Degrees:
Bachelors from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Master’s from Gannon University
Instructional I and II Certificate in Elementary Education K-6
Middle School Language Arts 7-9
Teaching experience/Experience with Children:
Substitute teacher 4 years
Contracted teacher 3 years
Camp Counselor 2 years
Playground Supervisor 1 year
Preschool Teacher 1 year
Tutor 2 years
Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:
Member of the student teacher exemplary board
Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University
My favorite moment in teaching:
My favorite moment is when a child that is struggling with a concept has a “light bulb” moment and uses skills taught to discover the answer on his/her own.
Hobbies/Interests:
yoga, reading, walking my dog, camping, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends |
Posted by Administrator on
|
Name: Tom Monzo, Jr
School: Sunrise Elementary
Position: 3rd Grade |
Education:
Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, Community College of Allegheny County
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, California University of PA
Master’s Degree in Education, Indiana University of PA
Plus 30 Graduate Credits, Gannon University
Teaching experience:
Elementary (Grades 3 through 6) — 11 years
Junior High School (Summer School) — 3 years
High School (Summer School) — 2 years
Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:
Penn Trafford School District’s PRIDE Award (1999)
YMCA Scholarship Recipient
Membership Chairman — Penn Trafford Education Association
What I love most about teaching:
Inside of every real man is a child. Teaching allows me to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear!
My favorite moment in teaching:
Several years ago I taught a girl from the war torn country of Bosnia. She wouldn’t talk, even though she spoke fluent English. In April of that year, she and several girls approached me about putting on the play, “A New Flag for a New Country,” for the class. I agreed on one condition. She had to have the leading role. It was music to my ears the first time that I heard her rehearsing the leading role. She did a wonderful job and has become one of the most popular children in her class. I am proud that I gave her an opportunity to portray Betsy Ross!
Personal information:
I love classic and muscle cars from the 60′s and 70′s and music from the 80′s! Ask me about my GTO! |
Posted by Administrator on
|
Name: Melissa Atticks
School: Level Green Elementary
Position: 4th Grade |
Education:
Gateway Graduate
B.S. Ed. from Duquesne University
MEd. for Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh
Certifications:
Elementary education, special education, supervisor’s certificate, and principal’s certificate
Hobbies & Special Interests:
Playing golf, country line dancing, and going to concerts.
Goals:
To become an elementary principal. |
