(9/1) Fairfield Area School District (FASD) introduced new staff at the August 8 school board meeting.
Teachers welcomed included Karen Shaffer as a middle school learning support teacher. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Shaffer began as a third and second grade teacher in Maryland before teaching fifth, sixth, and seventh grade at Saint Francis in Pennsylvania.
Thomas Rodgers will be kicking off the school year as a middle school learning support teacher. Rodgers is an alumnus of FASD with two daughters currently in the school system.
Rodgers spent the last ten years working with adjudicated and at-risk youth at Abraxas Youth and Family services and was excited to work in a public school district.
April Taylor was previously a teacher in Kansas for three years and most recently comes from the Montessori Charter School in Gettysburg as a third and fourth grade teacher.
"My goal since I moved here was to be placed in my home district, so I am very, very happy and proud to be here as a second-grade teacher," she said.
Emily Tempel was welcomed to FASD kindergarten as well as serving as a substitute teacher for second and third grade in the area. Tempel served as a third-grade teacher in Maryland last year, "So I’m excited to be working more locally and be back closer to home," she said.
Ensuring board meetings are available for online viewing, Nichole Steele was also welcomed aboard as the district’s Coordinator of Instructional Technology. Steele was excited to start her 19th school year.
Beginning a career out in Arizona as an elementary school teacher, a technology coach, and a technology director all in the same district, Steele brings education experience as well as information technology.
Also recognized but not present was Lisa Mertz as a middle school counselor.
"Welcome aboard," the school board greeted.
Assistance application introduced
FASD members in need of support can now connect with CareSolace as the district begins a contract to provide resources for the community, according to Superintendent Thomas Haupt.
CareSolace helps to connect families identified with a level of need with health providers for issues including mental health, and drug and alcohol addiction, Haupt said. Services are not only available for students and staff but also extend to their affiliated family members. "You do not have to be local," he said.
More information about CareSolace can be found at caresolace.org.
In related news Public School Board Association legislative chairperson Lisa Sturges told the school board that the Pennsylvania Department of Education is releasing a new app for families experiencing homelessness. In addition to district nurses, counselors, and administrators working to identify families in need of services, the app will be additional help to connect families with resources.
