At its June 3, 2024 board meeting, the Penn-Trafford School Board recognized retiring staff. Each of these staff members had a direct and positive impact on the lives of many students while making a tremendous contribution to the Penn-Trafford community.
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Gary Bacco completed his 35th year of teaching, 34 of which were at Trafford Middle School (and one year at the high school). He chose a career in education because math came easy to him and he wanted to help young people understand the subject better. Teaching also opened up many opportunities to coach, which he greatly enjoyed. Gary holds degrees from CCAC (Associate’s degree in Engineering Science), University of Pittsburgh (Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Mathematics), and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Master’s in Elementary and Middle School Mathematics). He finds the rise of computers and the disappearance of textbooks among the biggest changes in education. He has always enjoyed seeing former students and reminiscing with them about Penn-Trafford.
Pam Barton started working as a part-time building aide at Penn-Trafford and became a full-time Personal Care Assistant (PCA) in 2006. During her 18 years as a PCA, she spent time at Sunrise, McCullough, Penn Middle, Level Green, and Penn-Trafford High Schools. Some of the biggest changes she’s seen are the use of technology and changes to the Special Education staff from year to year. She has enjoyed watching the growth and development of the students she’s worked with.
Marty Corna didn’t always work in schools, but she was a teacher nonetheless in her previous role as a corporate trainer. When her employer relocated, Marty added a teaching certification in ‘Business, Computer, and Information Technology’ to her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University. She spent 24 years at Penn-Trafford High School. Marty enjoys hearing from her former students and learning of their successes in Accounting and Computer Science careers.
Jane DeBone attended Dickinson College and Seton Hill University. She holds degrees in English Literature and Art. She taught at Penn-Trafford for 25 years as an art teacher and has worked at Penn Middle and Penn-Trafford High School. Jane also coached High School Tennis for 15 years.
Cynthia Dutt had a career in toxicology and then took time off to raise her family. It wasn’t until she became a Girl Scout leader and field hockey coach that she realized her passion for working with kids. She obtained a teaching certificate from Seton Hill University to supplement her Bachelor’s in Science from Moravian College. Cindy taught Biology at Trafford Middle School for 19 years. The biggest change in education that she noted is the growing emphasis on standardized test scores, which unfortunately took away some of her freedom to explore in-depth science topics that most interested her students. Her fondest memories of teaching are seeing the moments her students understood a complicated topic after a struggle with the lesson.
Lynn Eckberg worked at Penn-Trafford for 30 years, calling all 5 elementary schools and both middle schools ‘home’ during that time. She holds a bachelor’s degree (English) from Seton Hill University, a Master’s degree (English) from Gannon University and a Doctorate (Education with emphasis on Gifted Education) from North Central University. Lynn has seen many changes in education, most notably the rise of technology. Reflecting on her career, she cites a Middle School Quiz League ‘final round’ as most memorable. “Upon one team winning a round and advancing to the final round, students from our other team stood and cheered as if they were at a championship sporting event,” she states. “It demonstrated to me the importance academic competitions held for my students.”
Dan Edgerly retired in February after teaching for 28 years at Penn-Trafford. While serving in the Marines, Dan was influenced by the overall concerns voiced by teenage Marines regarding their educational experiences and decided to become a teacher. He attended the University of South Carolina and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds degrees in both Elementary Education and History. He’s seen many changes in education, most notably “increased influences from technology, standardized testing, and societal norms have been impactful.” Dan is grateful for the overall connections he has made with his students and the support from their families.
Roseann Funyak worked for ten years as a part-time office aide before accepting a full-time position as Level Green Elementary’s Building Secretary, a position she held for 14 years. Roseann has noticed many changes over the years, including no longer posting Homeroom Assignments on the front door before school begins, sign-in procedures, clearances, security cameras, Chromebooks, and the online registration procedure. Her favorite time of the year was always when the high school band and chorus came to perform for the Christmas Holiday. “I loved watching the students get excited about it, and I especially enjoyed the performance of the traditional FruitCake song.”
Renee Martz served Penn-Trafford in various substitute and part-time support positions beginning in 1993, which led to full-time High School Guidance Secretary and later the Athletic Secretary job. Over the years, she has seen a dramatic shift from chalkboards, typewriters, and encyclopedias to Chromebooks, keyboards, and Google. As the district’s first Athletic Secretary, Renee served under Athletic Directors Bill Groff, Roger Sullivan, Joe Marasti, Chuck Fontana, and Kerry Hetrick and is very thankful to them all for their friendship. “I have made so many memories here, and have met and worked with so many amazing people over the years,” she reflected. “Penn-Trafford has been a family to me.”
Melissa Matis was passionate about reading and writing as a young girl and always felt that school was her safe place, wonderfully full of possibilities. She became a teacher to help provide that same feeling for other children. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s in Secondary English Education. After teaching in North Carolina for two years, Melissa joined the Penn-Trafford staff in 1999. She most enjoyed her early years of teaching when less emphasis was placed on standardized tests and more freedom was given to teachers to develop curriculum. Melissa has many favorite teaching moments but is most proud of seeing her students succeed. “Most of all, I have loved seeing my students become adults who positively impact the world around them as journalists, lawyers, engineers, photojournalists, costume designers, writers, teachers, doctors, nurses, mechanics, electricians, and armed forces members.”
John Milavec attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds degrees in Mathematics and Science Education. He has worked for 27 years as a science and math teacher at Penn-Trafford High School and Penn Middle School. John also recently served as the Bowling Coach.
Janice Novosel attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s in Special Education/Elementary Education. She has been a Life Skills/Autistic Support teacher for Penn-Trafford since 1990. A big change during her tenure at Penn-Trafford is that more students with disabilities participate in general education classes. Her favorite memory from PT, Janice stated “My only regret is not keeping a diary with favorite moments from teaching. There are too many favorite, funny, and rewarding moments to mention!”
Bronwyn Sodrosky attended Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh and holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a teaching certification in Secondary Math. She served as a Math teacher at Penn-Trafford High School. As a die-hard Penn State fan, Bronwyn’s retirement will likely include many Nittany Lion football games, spending time with her grandchildren, hiking, and biking.
Rachelle Stauffer joined Penn-Trafford’s staff in 1996 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education (Shippensburg University), Certification in Vision Studies and Orientation and Mobility (University of Pittsburgh), and Principal Certification from IUP. Asked about the changes she has observed, Rachelle states, “There is less time spent for creative direct instruction with the students and more emphasis on data/progress monitoring/paperwork for evaluations and IEPs. Learning is built on the foundation of relationships, trust, and sometimes a little creative fun in the classroom.” Her favorite memory from her career is the caring community and work family at Penn-Trafford.
Dr. Eckberg, Mr. Milavec, and Mrs. Novosel were celebrated with a retirement party at Penn Middle School
Trafford Middle School held a retirement breakfast for their retirees: Peg Wingrove(Aramark), Cindy Dutt, Gary Bacco, Lynn Eckberg, and Melissa Matis