BOARD REINSTATES ELEMENTARY POSITION;

HIRES TEACHER

At a special meeting on Monday evening, August 4, 2008, the Homer-Center Board of School Directors approved the employment of Mrs. Katelin Stossel as an elementary teacher at Homer-Center Elementary School. At the time of the retirement of an elementary teacher in the spring of 2007, that position was not refilled due to lower projected and actual student numbers at the first grade level.  This position was reinstated due to the higher student numbers in first grade and to lower the student-teacher ratios. 

Katelin Stossel of Indiana, PA, received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with certifications in Early Childhood (N-3) and Elementary Education (K-6) at Slippery Rock University.  For the past four years, Mrs. Stossel has worked as Pre-Kindergarten teacher (from 2005-2008) and as a Kindergarten teacher (from 2004-2005) in the Harmony Area School District in Westover, PA.  She also had a long-term substitute position in second grade in the Moniteau School District—a district in which she did her student teaching in Grades K and 4.  Her participation in Professional Development activities over the past few years has been quite extensive, some of which include Differentiation in the Early Childhood Classroom, Assessment Training, The Inclusionary Classroom, and Orton-Gillingham—The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education.  In addition, Mrs. Stossel has certifications in First Aid and Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  We welcome Mrs. Stossel to the Homer-Center School District. 

New Hires for Homer-Center School District Approved

At a special meeting on Monday evening, July 28, 2008, the Homer-Center Board of School Directors employed as a full-time custodian, Don Brown; an elementary aide, Nancy Mitchell; and Dan Bell was also approved as a Head Custodian at the High School.  In addition, Elizabeth Paddock was approved as a new elementary teacher and Karen Woods as a health and physical education teacher at the Homer-Center Junior-Senior High School.  These two positions were a result of two recent retirements. 

Elizabeth Paddock, originally from Indiana County, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and the Arts with a dual major in Visual Arts and Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.  She received her Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  For the past five years, she served as a kindergarten teacher (2005-2008) and a second grade teacher (2003-2005) in the Osceola County School District in Kissimmee, Florida.  Prior to her teaching experience in Florida, she worked from 1999-2002 as a Teacher Counselor in a residential setting at Pressley Ridge Schools in Pittsburgh—serving students with special needs.  This summer, Mrs. Paddock has been working as an adjunct faculty member at IUP teaching English Composition to rising seniors from various cities throughout the state to help improve their writing and proofreading skills in preparation for college.  This is part of the Benjamin Wiley Partnership Program.  Mrs. Paddock will be teaching first grade at Homer-Center Elementary School, and we welcome her to our school district. 

Karen Woods, employed as a new Health and Physical Education Teacher at Homer-Center Junior-Senior High School, received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with dual degrees—one in Health and Physical Education and the second in Physical Education and Sports with an emphasis in Athletic Training.  She received her Master of Science Degree from IUP in Sport Studies with an emphasis in Health Science.  Mrs. Woods is originally from Indiana County.  For the past four years, she served as a Health and Physical Education Instructor for the Curwensville Area School District.  Prior to this position, she was the Health and Physical Education Teacher in the West Branch Area School District from 1999-2004.  We welcome Mrs. Woods to the Homer-Center School District. 

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Homer-Center High School and Elementary School student homeroom lists will be posted on each building's front door on August 18, 2008.

Mission Statement

The Homer-Center School District is a caring district where "Everybody is Somebody!" Through our partnership with the family and community, we are committed to a diverse educational program that develops and prepares students for the challenges of our rapidly changing world.