Souls of Shaler Area

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