Souls of Shaler Area

Cathy Bowser, FACS teacher "My favorite expression is: My life is not about me; I am about life. "

The Souls of Shaler Area blog will be on hiatus until September 2017.  Thank you to all students who worked on this.  It was a learning experience and we are still perfecting the process.  If your post did not make it, we probably ran out of time for photos.  Some posts will go up in the fall.  If you don't see your post, contact me at barnerb@sasd.k12.pa.us and we can work on that in the new school year.

Shelley West, Reading Teacher "If I could write a message to my kids,  it would say you could do anything if you put your mind to it."

George Alexander, Science Teacher "One of my favorite things about teaching is getting to know all of the children I teach and see them grow up throughout the years. A message I like to pass on to the children is to always do things to your potential, give 100% in everything, and live your life the fullest."

Brian Duermeyer, English teacher “We used to play our games in the backyard, and we had a variety of games that were made up… a homemade lacrosse game, a run-down with a ball, Home Run Derby...and my grandmothers would act as the officials, and they would sit on the porch and watch us. There were times they would disagree about a call, but they were such lovely and honest women that they would not even argue about it; they would politely reach a conclusion and we would hang on their conclusion, because we cared about them so much.” 

Abigale May, Mathematics Teacher “I trust my family and closest friends. There are some things I share and talk about with my family and there are some things I depend on my closest friends to help me get through.”

Sara Neaves, Science Teacher "I feel happy and content to where I don't feel like I'm missing something."

Lynne Fairman, Lunch Lady "The best thing that happened to me is having my two sons."

Darren Herrle, English and Math teacher "My family and I do a lot of volunteer work and donate to charities.  We don't always donate money and food, but time and work. Sometimes time can be more important than money."

Sally Palka, Lunch Lady "If I could have three wishes I would want to have my husband back, enough money to not worry about money and good health."

Sally Welka, History Teacher "When I was younger, I was a very quiet person who never voiced an opinion.  As I aged, I became more vocal about my opinions.  I believe this happened because I'm frustrated with how the world is and how people act."

Jerome Koller, History Teacher "My father has always been my hero. At age 16, I was at a crossroad in my swimming career. He stated something to me during that time that has always stuck with me. He said, “You have the talent and ability to do great things. But talent and ability mean nothing if you choose not to use your gifts you've been given. You'll have the rest of your life to be mediocre. Stop being afraid of great news and give yourself a chance to see what you can truly be.” I took those words to heart and would be unafraid over the rest of my athletic career. My father had taught me a lot over the course of my life. But this small conversation instilled in me an important virtue, one that I try to encourage with my own children today."

Andy Schrom, GATE teacher "The weirdest thing that happened to me has to do with suppressed memories.  Here is the story:  When I was three years old, I was at the Pitt spring football game that had ended. The weather was extremely hot and humid and my family was outside the stadium talking with old college friends.  One of those people was an overly obese guy and he was standing next to me. As a very young kid not involved in any of the conversation, I was just observing everyone and looking around.  As I looked around, I noticed the obese man next to me "didn't look quite right"; at that moment I saw his eyes roll up into the back of his head, go totally white, and he started swaying.  The next thing I know, I was watching him fall directly on top of me.   At that moment, everything was dark and the guy was lying completely on top of me....dead as dead could be.  Everyone was going nuts and I remember seeing the light from the sun as they lifted his body up

Julie Nigro, Family and Consumer Science teacher “At the end of every summer, there was a fair, called the Grange fair.  It was one week before school started and the highlight to every kid's summer, including mine."

Frank Spiker, Police Officer "After a domestic with a couple, where I got the woman in touch with the right contacts to help her, she came up to me and gave me and my partner a hug.  She said, "No one ever helped me before." That made us feel really good about our jobs and was definitely the best compliment I've ever received." 

Carrie Heim, Substitute Teacher "My favorite thing to do is gather with my immediate and extended family to celebrate during the holiday season. It is a time when we share stories about our family and reflect upon years past and family that has left us, while cherishing the time we have together."

Heather Verbanic, Physical Education Teacher “ The strongest people are the people who have dealt with hardships and have learned from them: people who have enough personal strength to be accepting or understanding of others. They also think knowledge is power. People who are weak in this world are lacking confidence and personal security, but that's why it is hard for them to understand others and they are afraid of what they don't understand.”

Daniel Sullivan, Technical Education "When I was in college one of my high school teachers allowed me to come in and  rebuild a motor for my truck. My teacher's only requirement was that I help out the kids who were in the class.  Sometime during the year, in conversations with him on what I was doing in college, it was suggested that I look into doing what I was already doing there: teaching others."

Dennis Reagle, Science Teacher “If I could write a message to my children I’d say, as long as you're doing what makes you happy and taking care of those who depend on you, you're making me happy."

James Hellinger, Science Teacher   “My father left my family when I was in 7 th grade.  This experience made me the person I am today.  In some ways, I may have benefited from it.  I got my first job at age 14 and have worked ever since. It caused me to mature much quicker and take life more seriously.”  

Melissa McConville, Math Teacher "Upon graduation from Saint Vincent College, I was awarded the President’s Award. The winner of this award was determined by the SVC college community -professors, faculty, staff and student body. This humbling and inspiring award had a big influence on my confidence as a student leaving college to find and make a place in the world. I can’t express how much it meant to me to receive this honor from so many people that believed in me and that I admired - teachers, mentors, and friends. I still feel such humility and pride as the winner of this award. I hope as a graduate and alumnus I have continued to bring pride to the Saint Vincent College community. "      

Tom Gray, Social Studies Teacher "My role models would have to be my  grandfathers; they were war heroes. Because I had  a love for history, I was always fascinated by them and  the stories they would tell me."

Scott Heller, English Teacher “Growing up, I wanted to be a writer for a comedy show. That didn't work out, and eventually I became a teacher at Shaler Area Middle School where I’m working with great teachers and youth.”

Diana Butler, Reading Teacher "I would consider my life to be a very happy one.  I was always a good kid: helpful at home, did well at school, even helped my younger brother and sister.  It brings me joy knowing that I achieved having a happy family.  Now as I get older, seeing my kids start to enter adulthood, I found that the best and longest lasting advice is to stay positive if things don't go your way and make the best of your current situation. "

Tracey Lafayette, Physical Education/Health Teacher “To have a successful life, you must have self-acceptance and you must be  happy.  I decided to go to college to become a physical therapist.  After the first year, I realized I really  didn't   enjoy it and did not want every day of my life to be unhappy.  I went back to school to become a health/physical education teacher. So far I feel that my life has been successful.”

Donel Slonka, Special Education Teacher “When I first became a teacher 13 years ago, I would hear students say the word "retard".  It was casually thrown around and I didn’t make a big deal about it.  The next year I worked with a classroom aide who had a son with significant disabilities. I remember at the time the “R” word or “retard” was in my vocabulary outside of the classroom and I think I would use it casually, similarly to how people would say, “Oh, that's stupid; it's so gay,” or “This traffic is so retarded.” I didn't realize the impact that one small word could have on people until I started working with this aide who was adamant that the kids didn't use the “R” word in ANY context.  Since then, I have always enforced that kids not use that word in my classroom.  I don’t just enforce the rule but I explain to them why that word can be so hurtful.   I feel like I’ve carried that message on to my friends, family and even strangers and I like

Michael LaGamba, STEAM teacher “When I was younger, my friends and I always met up and played sports.  There were always some kids to play either baseball, basketball, or soccer. As I got older, my friends and I could drive, so we would go down to a sand volleyball court nearby and played there a lot. I wanted to be a Major League Baseball Player, but that dream soon turned into an architect, then to a school teacher.” 

Jeannine Vittorino, Reading Teacher “I met my husband, Mike, during college.  We both went to Duquesne University and when I met him I knew he was the one. We had our wedding in the university chapel.  The people in charge did a wonderful job with the ceremony. My husband was amazing when it came to planning our wedding; he let me do whatever I wanted and didn't argue with any of my decisions.  Now we have a son, Luke, who means the world to me and I'd do anything for the both of them. My son loves to play baseball and when I watch him I am so proud that that's my son out there.”

Sharon Isherwood, French Teacher "When I was 26, my mother was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  From one day to the next, I moved back to Pittsburgh from Paris and helped care for her until her passing four years later.  I have since lost my father to leukemia and have to say that I am still dealing with the loss of both of my parents.  Thanks to time, friendships and the love and support of my husband, I try to focus more on the joys of life rather than the sorrows."

Thank you to my students who have tried to build a bridge to our community by interviewing the many people of Shaler Area and putting their stories online for all to enjoy.  The purpose of this activity is to showcase the human interest story in all of us, similar to HumansofNewYork.com.  Students had to interview a person with pre-selected questions and then determine which small segment of that interview would end up on the site as a quote to give insight into our common human condition.  We hope you enjoy perusing Souls of Shaler Area.