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Speaker Series 2020 - Panel Members

Brian Strohmetz

  • Panel 1 - Tranisition to online teaching

  • Summerbridge: 2017

  • Current Position: Silver Bay Elementary School, Toms River Regional School District - Instrumental/General Music Teacher (advisor for Tech Ambassador & Media Marvel Clubs, member of Young Audiences Grant Committee)

  • Degrees/Certs:Bachelor of Music from Moravian College
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Liz Lance

  • Panel 1 - Tranisition to online teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2016, 2017

  • Current Position: Twin Valley High School - 9th and 10th grade English Teacher

  • Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University - Bachelor's in Secondary English Education. Penn State University - Currently enrolled in the Curriculum and Instruction Master's Program with a specialized path in English Education
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Lyndsay Dotzman

     
  • Panel 1 - Tranisition to online teaching
​
  • Summerbridge: 2017

  • Current Position: Pennell Elementary School; Penn-Delco School District - 5th grade position; all core subjects! Currently I run our school’s annual Scripps Spelling Bee, I am a Girls on the Run coach, and Reading Olympics team coach. I am also a member of our school’s Technology committee & our Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (Tier 2) team!
 
  • Degrees/Certs: DeSales University- Elementary Education Degree with Pre-K to 4 certification. I also have my 5th & 6th grade add-on certification. I plan to apply to get started in an Educational Leadership masters program. School is TBD!
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Lara Cesco-Cancian

  • Panel 1 - Tranisition to online teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2016

  • Current Position: Moravian Academy Upper School - High School Computer Science and Mathematics Teacher. Robotics Team Coach, Dance Club Advisor, American Sign Language Club Advisor, Computer Science Club Advisor. Member of Technology Committee, Headmasters Advisory Committee, and Upper School Retreat Committee.
 
  • Degrees/Certs: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. B.S. Secondary Education. B.A. Mathematics. Certified in Mathematics 7-12. Currently enrolled in Lehigh University Graduate Program in Teaching and Learning
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Joey Edsall

  • Panel 1 - Tranisition to online teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2013
 
  • Current Position: Was employed at PA Leadership Charter School, now I work for a company called Paro and have been a critic and journalist for the past 4 years at (Gamesradar [formerly Newsarama, just got acquired last week] and NewRetroWave) - I was previously a 7th grade LA teacher, coach of the minecraft club, did high school summer school as well, all online. I do instructional design at my current job through typical asynchronous educational material as well as chat bot design.
 
  • Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University - BS English Education
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Lindsey Brown

  • Panel 2 - Job Hunting
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  • Summerbridge: 2017
 
  • Current Position:Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School. Literature and Composition - grades 9-10
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University - English/Pro Writing (2014). M.Ed in 7-12 Education - Lehigh University (2017)
 

Shannon Dietz

  • Panel 2 - Job Hunting
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  • Summerbridge: 2012, 2013, 2014
 
  • Current Position: Ephrata High School. 9-12, Math - at previous job (last year) I was an assistant XC coach, prom committee advisor, NHS advisor, powderpuff coach
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Ursinus College - Major: Mathematics; Minor & Cert: Secondary Education; certified math 7-12. Master’s: Secondary Math Ed - Millersville University (2018) Doctorate: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management (concentration in Creativity & Innovation) from Drexel University starting in September
 

Erin Trautman

  • Panel 2 - Job Hunting
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  • Summerbridge: 2014
 
  • Current Position: Lower Macungie Middle School (East Penn School District). 6th-8th grade music and band. I also teach after-school jazz band and assist with the Emmaus High School marching band.
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Penn State University, Bachelor of Music Education. University of the Arts, Master of Music Education. I also have my PA Mathematics 7-12 certification.
 
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Erin - middle

Ailish Simonson

  • Panel 2 - Job Hunting
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  • Summerbridge: 2017, 2018
 
  • Current Position: Pennridge School District - Bedminster Elementary School - 1st Grade
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: DeSales University - Early Childhood Elementary Education Major. Masters and Certification for reading specialist - East Stroudsburg University
   
  • Social Media: Twitter - @Miss_Simonson

Kim Van Orden

  • Panel 2 - Job Hunting
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  • Summerbridge: 2010, 2011, 2012
 
  • Current Position: East Hills Middle School- Bethlehem SD. 6-8 general music, 7-8 choir, East hills theatre company
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian college. Currently working on masters in instructional technology
 
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Kim - second from left

Jenna DeFrancisco

  • Panel 3 - First Year Teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2006, 2007 (student); 2015, 2016 (teacher)
 
  • Current Position: Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts - math teacher. I have participated in multiple teacher committees at my school, including one where we helped write the new school handbook and currently one where we are working on our plan for returning to school in the Fall. I also advised Scholastic Scrimmage for a year and was a class advisor last year.
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian College, Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Secondary Education certification. I completed four courses in a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction program at Moravian College. I ended up leaving that program but recently was able to apply those credits to a new Masters program though Delaware Valley where I will be pursuing Educational Leadership- starting in about two weeks!
   
  • Social Media: Instagram- mathwithmissd210

Ellyce Nieves

  • Panel 3 - First Year Teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2009, 2010 (student); 2018, 2019 (teacher)
 
  • Current Position: Liberty High School — Bethlehem Area School District. Currently teaching 9th grade English. Certified to teach secondary level English 7-12.
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian College — B.A. in English. Northampton Community College — A.A. in Secondary Education. I’m planning on applying to Moravian College or Lehigh University in the near future. (M.A. in teaching and learning at Lehigh or Moravian’s M.Ed. with reading specialist certification.)
   
  • Social Media: Instagram: @ellycebeingeducator Twitter: MsNievesLHS
  • Teaching Website/Portfolio: https://nievese36.wixsite.com/website

Dani Strunk

  • Panel 3 - First Year Teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2018, 2019
 
  • Current Position: Antietam School District - Middle/Senior High School. Mathematics - Grades 8, 11 and 12 STEM Tech-Ed - Grades 7, 8
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University - Secondary Education Mathematics Certified 7-12 Mathematics
 

Brad Foltz

  • Panel 3 - First Year Teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2015, 2016, 2017; 2018-2019 (9th grade program)
 
  • Current Position: Pottsgrove Middle School - 7th Grade Life Science
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: West Chester University, Secondary Education Earth and Space Science. Middle School General Science Certification
 

Courtney Iversen

  • Panel 3 - First Year Teaching
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  • Summerbridge: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
 
  • Current Position: (Formerly) Denver Center For International Studies. Secondary math, mostly middle school. Ive worked in the online adult learning space for the past 2 years developing courses and curriculum.
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Saint Mary’s College, BA Mathematics​
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Courtney in Gray

Bradley Dender

  • Panel 4 - "Alternative" Educators
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  • Summerbridge: 2018, 2019
 
  • Current Position: St. Jane Frances De Chantal School - 4th grade. I worked aftercare and was part of the games crew. Next year I will be part of the STEM club for 4th to 6th graders
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: DeSales University and I got my certification in Early Education and Elementary Education. Currently getting my Masters Degree at DeSales for Education and just finished my certification of STEM at DeSales
 

Ali Drexler

  • Panel 4 - "Alternative" Educators
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  • Summerbridge: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
 
  • Current Position: Wescosville Elementary School. 4th grade Humanities teacher (ELA/SS) & Reading Specialist
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: West Chester University- Early Childhood Education. Masters of Education in Reading
 

Nicole Markes

  • Panel 4 - "Alternative" Educators
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  • Summerbridge: 2014, 2015, 2016
 
  • Current Position: Rose Tree Media School District. K-5 MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Teacher and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Coach
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University Elementary Education Grades 4-8 Mathematics and Science Concentrations (I also took a test to add on the PreK-4 Certification). I am currently enrolled at Cabrini University for my Masters in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.
 

Joshua Leight

  • Panel 4 - "Alternative" Educators
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  • Summerbridge: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
 
  • Current Position: Pennell Elementary School / Penn-Delco School District - Principal
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: BA Sociology '11 Lehigh University. Lehigh University: M Ed Elementary Education '12 - K-6 Elementary Cert PA - 7-12 Social Studies Cert PA University of Pennsylvania: School Leadership Program K-12 PA Principal Certification
 

Rebekah Campo

  • Panel 4 - "Alternative" Educators
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  • Summerbridge: 2015
 
  • Current Position: Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Advisor for Academic Support and Fellowship Opportunities
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Lehigh University: English with minors in education, sociology and Jewish studies. Lehigh University M.Ed. Educational Leadership
 

Sarah Brown

  • Panel 5 - Special Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2015, 2016
 
  • Current Position: The Windward School - 6th grade classroom teacher (ELA and SS), 6th grade team leader, speaker series for assistant teachers
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Tufts University - bachelors in English and Child Development. MA in Cognitive Studies in Education from Columbia Teachers College
 

Cassidy Alston

  • Panel 5 - Special Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2007, 2008, 2009
 
  • Current Position: Wissahickon High School - Special Education: Life Skills - Grades 9 to 12+ (most of my students stay until they age out at 21 years old)
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian College - BS in Math with teaching certificate in Math 7-12. - Arcadia University - MEd in Special Education with certification. Chestnut Hill College - MEd to be a Certified Reading Specialist - About to start a program at Lamar University (online) for a MEd in Educational Technology Leadership - Also took the Praxis to earn my certification for English 7-12 as a requirement for my job at Wissahickon
 

Carly Glantz

  • Panel 5 - Special Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2014, 2015
 
  • Current Position: Wilson Area School District - K-2 learning support
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Lock Haven University Bachelor degree in education Early childhood and special education certified. Lehigh University Graduate degree in educational leadership with a principal certification
 

Laura Melone

  • Panel 5 - Special Education
  • Panel 6: jobs out of state/abroad
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  • Summerbridge: 2015, 2016
 
  • Current Position: Scholars’ Academy, public school within the NYCDOE. 9th Grade US History, Youth Development Team, advisor for Trivia Club, Renaissance Retreat Lead Team
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Lehigh University, Teaching/Learning/Technology in Secondary Ed with concentration in History and English 7-12
 
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Laura on left

Hailey Pletz

  • Panel 6: jobs out of state/abroad
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  • Summerbridge: 2015, 2016
 
  • Current Position: Houston Independent School District - 4th Grade ELA
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Penn State - BS in Early Childhood Education. Certified PreK-6th grade in PA and TX
 
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Hailey on left

Rachel Benowitz

  • Panel 6: jobs out of state/abroad
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  • Summerbridge: 2016, 2017
 
  • Current Position: Wissahickon School District - 5th Grade General Education
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: DeSales University BA Elementary/Early Childhood Education. M. Ed Learning and Technology
 

Eda Turkdonmez

  • Panel 6: jobs out of state/abroad
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  • Summerbridge: 2019
 
  • Current Position: Amerikan Kultur Dil Kavacik - English Language Grades 7-12
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian College, Secondary English Education 7-12, ESL PK-12
 
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Eda on left

Leah Nissley

  • Panel 6: jobs out of state/abroad
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  • Summerbridge: 2016
 
  • Current Position: Internationella Engelska Skolan- Skärholmen, Stockholm (Previous locations: Falun and Täby) art (aesthetics) teacher - Grades 4-9: In Sweden mandatory schooling ends after year 9.
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Elizabethtown College and Kutztown University BS Fine Arts Education, Concentration in Digital Photography, Minor in Art History Certified K-12
 
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Leah on left

Nathaniel Wigman

  • Panel 7: Elementary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2014
 
  • Position: Homework Room Aide and Literacy Center Supervisor at Boys & Girls Clubs
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Lehigh University, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
 

Antonia Spadafora

  • Panel 7: Elementary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2016, 2017, 2018
 
  • Current Position: Plainfield Elementary School, PAASD - Kindergarten
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Moravian College, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Pre-K - 4 Teaching Certification. Enrolled in Graduate School for Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction
 

Abby Brossman

  • Panel 7: Elementary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2018, 2019
 
  • Current Position: Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School - Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: DeSales University- Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education
 

Julie Synder

  • Panel 8: Secondary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2018, 2019
 
  • Current Position: Saint Margaret School - History teacher
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: DeSales University 
 
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Julie on right

Autumn Busser

  • Panel 8: Secondary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2018
 
  • Current Position: James Buchanan High School - 9th grade Science
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Cedar Crest College Dual Biology and Secondary Education Bachelor's of Science - In the process of applying to Shippensburg University's Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed program
 

Matt McKay

  • Panel 8: Secondary Education
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  • Summerbridge: 2014, 2015, 2016
 
  • Current Position: Moravian Academy Middle School - 7th Grade Math, Pre-Alg & Alg 1
 
  • ​Degrees/Certs: Kutztown University Middle Level Education Grades 4-8 Math Concentration - Lehigh University Masters in Teaching, Learning & Technology
 
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