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New Teacher Profiles

By Concetta Lupo

This month we continue to introduce the new teachers at Plymouth Elementary School.   Please welcome Marna Lynne Caintic, Tara Holdworth,  Janette Hornick, Laura Gojeski, Kathryn Ketterer, and Gael Sagel.

Marna Lynne Caintic –

Special Education Teacher

     Marna also joined our staff last year.  She is an incredible asset to our building.  Marna graduated from Temple University, with her Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education certifications.  She then attended Arcadia University for Computer Technology K-12.  Her professional experience includes three years teaching an emotional support class in Philadelphia and three years in Bristol Township teaching Resource Room and Inclusion children.  Marna has been married for two years and enjoys skiing and watching movies with her husband.  She even used to be a ski coach for the Philadelphia Special Olympics.  Her hobby outside of school is immortalizing special moments in scrap booking.  Her fondest memory as a teacher was in Bristol Township.  She had a child come to her in fifth grade who couldn’t read.  The child’s parents were frustrated and thought their child would never be successful.  The little one wasn’t motivated or organized. He would come to school unprepared and frequently misplaced things. Marna worked hard with this child all year.  This child has made honor roll ever since and has recently been accepted into the Bucks County Tech School for his high school years.

Tara Holdsworth –

Third Grade Teacher

     Tara Holdsworth joined us here at Plymouth Elementary last year in third grade.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from Temple University.  She then went back to obtain her M.Ed. from Holy Family College, where she is now an adjunct faculty member teaching undergraduates in their education department.  Prior to coming to Colonial School District, Tara worked in the School District of Philadelphia for Six years.  She taught fifthgrade for one year and third grade for five years.

     Her favorite part of teaching is when the children begin to love reading and take risks in their reading.  It makes her very excited when the children reach the point where they are not afraid to try something new. 

     Tara was born and raised in Philadelphia, where she continues to reside.  Her hobbies include: reading, ceramics, and playing with her two Holland Lop bunnies, Thor and Queen.

Janette Hornick –

First Grade Teacher

     This is Janette’s second year with the Colonial School District.  She is very enthusiastic about teaching and brought many fresh ideas to share with colleagues and grade level teammates.  Prior to joining us at Plymouth Elementary School, she spent two years as a substitute in Philadelphia. 

     Janette graduated from Pennsylvania State University with her bachelor’s degree.  She is currently pursuing her M.Ed. and Reading Specialist Certification at Chestnut Hill College.  The best part of teaching for Janette is when old students come back to visit or help out in the classroom. In her spare time, Janette loves to eat chocolate, read books, and laugh.

Laura Gojeski – Art Teacher

     Laura is a school district veteran who is new to Plymouth.  Laura joined us last year as our art teacher after teaching art for three years at Conshohocken Elementary.  Laura received her undergraduate degree from Rosemont College and her M.Ed. from Kutztown University.  She enjoys painting murals (her home has a few!) and reading books.  Her proudest teaching moment was actually deciding to become a teacher. 

Prior to education, Laura spent many years as an art director for a national trade magazine. It was a hectic, but rewarding job.  Laura decided to go back to school to become an art teacher.  Teaching children can be just as hectic, but there is something about the children that makes it all worth it!

     Laura was born and raised in the Philadelphia area.  However, she has had enough of the snow and ice in our area!  She is planning to head for a warmer climate upon retirement! 

Kathryn Ketterer – 3rd Grade Teacher

     Katie is a two year veteran of Plymouth Elementary School.  She came to us fresh out of college last year to join our third grade team. Her excitement and new innovative ideas have been a great asset to our building.  Katie graduated from West Virginia University.  Her hobbies include skiing, going to the beach, and learning how to bake delicious desserts.  She is also engaged and planning her wedding!

     Katie has several favorite teaching moments, the first is when her students from last year came back to visit her and told her how wonderfully they were all doing in school this year, thanks to all they learned in her class.  She also loves hearing her students talking about reading and writing!

 

Gael Sagel – 1st Grade Teacher

     Gael is new to our building this year.  She comes to us with a vast wealth of experience and training in education.  Her undergraduate degree  is from Penn State University and her M.Ed.is from Beaver College (now Arcadia University).  She has also received Reading Recovery Training from Shippensburg University.  Gael taught in the School District of Philadelphia for seven years: kindergarten, first grade and reading recovery.  She has also taught for two years in New Jersey.

     The most exciting thing about teaching this year is the love of writing her current crop of students has developed.  The actually whine if they do not get time to write in their notebooks!

 

President:Jim Muscarella, PWHS   cea_pres@msn.com

First Vice-President:  Bob Slagle, PWHS  cea_vpslagle@msn.com

Second Vice-President: Carol Cohen, CES cea_vpcohen@msn.com

Treasurer:  Frank Whitehead, PWHS ceatreasurer@msn.com

Secretary: Colleen DiFabio, CMS ceasecretary@msn.com

The Advocate: cea_advocate@msn.com

Please send articles to the address listed above.

Editors:  Rosemary Hamilton, PWHS rhamilton_cea@msn.com

                 Tracey Pollick, PWHS tpollick_cea@msn.com

CEA  business should be conducted through these addresses instead of  the Colonial School District email system.

 

The Colonial Education Association

 is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania State 

Education Association and the National

 Education Association.

Happy Valentines Day

Volume 3 Issue 5                                                                                                                The Advocate

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