Penn-Trafford School District welcomes six new teachers and an additional administrator for the 2024-2025 school year.
Laura Aston joins Penn-Trafford High School’s staff as a Chemistry teacher. She has a degree in Chemistry and minors in Biology and Education from Saint Vincent College. She is certified in 7-12 Chemistry, 7-12 Biology, and 4-8 Math. She worked in substitute teaching and tutor positions for Penn-Trafford and Hempfield and spent last year teaching 8th-grade math and science at Greater Latrobe School District.
Mike Barnes will teach Health and Physical Education at Harrison Park and Sunrise Elementary Schools. He attended Penn-Trafford and earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Slippery Rock University. He has worked as a super-substitute in the district for three years.
Elizabeth Bilinsky will cover all Penn-Trafford schools as the district’s vision teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (California University of PA), a master’s degree in Counselor Education (California University of PA), and certifications in Vision Studies, Supervisory, School Counselor K-12, Visually Impaired PK-12, and Supervisor of Special Education PK-12. She taught for six years at The Western PA School for Blind Children and for six years at Westmoreland Intermediate Unit.
Michael Bowen will join the Penn-Trafford High School staff as a biology teacher. He has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Point Park University and is certified in General Science and Biology. He spent a year as a biology tutor for Penn-Trafford in 2016 and taught science in the Elizabeth Forward School District for five years.
Karli Frank will report to Penn-Trafford High School as a computer science teacher. She has worked in the district for three years as a substitute teacher, math tutor, and student learning assistant. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Pitt and is certified to teach math and computer science (grades 7-12).
Dr. Luke Healey will serve as Assistant Principal at Penn-Trafford High School. He holds degrees from Indiana University of PA (bachelor's degree in Political Science and Geography), Edinboro University (master’s degree in Secondary Ed), and Liberty University (Doctorate in Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction). He is certified as a Social Studies teacher (7-12) and Principal (PK-12). Before joining Penn-Trafford, he worked as a principal for McGuffey School District and as a Social Studies teacher for Propel Pittsburgh and The Summit Academy.
Emily Kochasic isn’t new to Penn-Trafford; she spent four years in long-term substitute and Special Education Classroom Instructional Aide positions. This year, she will be an autistic support teacher at Penn Middle School. She holds a bachelor's degree from Carlow University and is certified in Special Education PreK-8 and Early Childhood Education PreK-4.
Angelo Testa will be a science teacher at Trafford Middle School. He graduated from California University of PA with an environmental science degree and worked as an environmental scientist before returning to Cal U for a master’s degree in secondary education. He holds certifications in biology, general science, and environmental education. He has taught at Geibel Catholic High School (5 years) and Greensburg Salem High School (6 years).
The first day of school at Penn-Trafford School District is Thursday, August 22, 2024.
