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.

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.

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!”

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

Name: Devon Barr

School: Level Green Elementary

Position: 3rd Grade

Education:

Degree in Elementary Education / Early Childhood

Hobbies & Special Interests:

I coach Cross Country and Track at the High School. I love to read, garden, and run

Goals:

I plan to complete my Master’s Degree within the next year.

Name: Christen Moleton

School: Level Green Elementary

Position: 5th Grade

Education:

The University of Dayton, Ohio – Special Education / Elementary Education 2000

Graduate School:
George Mason – Master’s in Special Education / Curriculum

California University of PA – Master’s Administration 2008

Hobbies:

Traveling, exercising, decorating and design, and cooking

Special Interests:

Autism Research and maintaining healthy lifestyles

Goals:

To obtain an appraisal license to use over the summers.

Favorite Moment in teaching:

When a child recognizes their strengths and puts them into action. I love seeing children who work to reach their fullest potential in the classroom and out.

Current Teaching Assignment:

6th Grade: Science, Reading, & Language Arts