Press  Release
September 2, 2008

WSD Welcomes New Teaching Staff/Administrators 

Jason Bialka – English Teacher-Middle School

Jason graduated from Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Illinois, and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English at Eastern Illinois University.  With six years of experience teaching English at the secondary level, Jason will be joining the English Department at the middle school.  

Scott Rongione-Math Teacher-Middle School

A graduate of Bensalem High School, Scott earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Penn State and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University.  With additional certifications in Middle School Math and English, Scott will be teaching Math at the middle school.  Prior to joining the WSD team, Scott taught Math at FDR Middle School in Bristol Township, and also served for a semester as a floating substitute in the Neshaminy School District. 

Carissa Strain-Speech Teacher-Middle School

Carissa is joining our district as a Speech Teacher for the new Autistic Class at the middle school.  She earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from Duquesne University, following her graduation from Nazareth Academy High School in Philadelphia.  Carissa has worked in a variety of settings including schools, children’s rehab center, special education classrooms and clinics, working with students ranging in age from 18 months to 16 years with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, Stuttering and Speech and Language Delays.

Linsday Weiner – Special Education Teacher-Middle School

Following her graduation from Lower Moreland High School, Lindsay earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at West Chester University.  Graduate coursework has been taken at the University of Rhode Island and Holy Family University.  Prior to joining the Wissahickon Team, Lindsay taught for the Montgomery County IU in an autistic class for 3 years.  She will be teaching in the new autistic class at the middle school.

Anne Bongiovanni-Social Studies Teacher-High School  

Anne comes to us from Baltimore, Maryland, where she taught Social Studies at the Eastern Technical High School for two years.  Anne attended high school in Bryn Mawr, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Loyola College.  She will be teaching Social Studies at the high school.

Michelle Harvey—Biology Teacher- High School

Michelle is a graduate of Troy Athens High School and Michigan State University who holds dual certification in Biology and Chemistry.  Previous work experiences include teaching at the Norristown Area High School and serving in a year long teaching internship at Adlai Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, Michigan. 

Katie Heim- Biology Teacher—High School

Katie will also be teaching Biology at Wissahickon High School.  She earned her Master of Education Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her Bachelor of Science Degree from Syracuse University.   Most recently, Katie has been teaching Biology at Revere High School in Revere, Massachusetts. 

Kristin Fulmer –Substitute—High School Guidance

Kristen will be serving as a long term substitute for the first semester in the High School Guidance Department where she completed her internship last year.  A graduate of the Wissahickon School District, Kristin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Health Education at the University of Maryland, and her Master’s Degree in School Counseling at Gwynedd-Mercy College. 

Monika MacDermott- Substitute-French Class

Monika joined us as a long term substitute in French last January; she returns this year to work in the same position.  Monika attended high school in Warsaw, Poland.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Russian at Chestnut Hill College, and a Master’s Degree in French at Bryn Mawr.  She has taught French at Interboro High School and at the Wyndcroft School in Pottstown. 

Shelley Meier-Special Education Teacher

Shelley is known to many here in Wissahickon, as she began working here last spring, as a Special Education teacher at the high school.  She previously worked as a Special Education teacher in the Upper Moreland School District for approximately a year and a half.  Shelley graduated from Jenkintown High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education at Saint Joseph’s University.

Stefanie Paternostro-Substitue-Chemistry

A graduate of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Stefanie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at Chestnut Hill College.  We welcome Stefanie as she joins us as a long term substitute in Chemistry.

Jim Swiggard-Health and Physical Education

After serving as a Special Education Classroom Assistant,  Jim is returning this year in a .5 Health and Physical Education position at the high school.  Following his graduation from Blair Academy, Jim attended Ursinus where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science. 

Marie Carsillo-Supervisor of Student Transportation

 A graduate of Bensalem High School, Marie attended Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia for Administrative Business.  For the last seven years, Marie has been the Transportation Administrator/Route Technician in the Bensalem Township School District. 

Megan Bennett-Classroom Assistant

Megan will be a Classroom Asssistant in the Autistic Support Program at Shady Grove, following similar work for the MCIU.  A graduate of Jenkintown High School, Megan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Social Science at Penn State University.

Deb Duffy—Technology Assistant

Deb joins us as a Technology Assistant, coming from the North Penn School District.  Deb graduated from Liverpool High School in Liverpool, New York, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Lisa Hacking- Classroom Assistant

Lisa will be a Classroom Assistant in the new Autistic class at the middle school.  A graduate of Farmington High School, Lisa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Design Resource Management at the University of Connecticut.  She has work experience as a Personal Care Assistant and as an instructional aide.