New Additions to our 2009-2010 Teaching Staff

Jason Birch lives in Plum and will be the band director at Plum Senior High School.  Mr. Birch received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Liberty State College and also attended classes at West Virginia University.  He decided to come to Plum because of the high quality of education and high expectation of the music program.

Brian Bechtold is a graduate of Plum and will be a long-term substitute in third grade at Regency Park Elementary School.  He received both his Bachelor’s Degree of Arts and Sciences and his teaching degree from the University of Pittsburgh.  He is excited to come back and teach in the district that he is from.

Kelly Cummings is a graduate of Plum and will be starting her career as a kindergarten teacher at Pivik Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science and Childcare Administration from Seton Hill University.  She is also certified in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Middle School Math.  She is happy to come back to the place from which she graduated and lives.

Christy Halasowski is from Bethel Park and will be teaching fourth grade at Adlai Stevenson Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Clarion University.  She is currently working on her Master’s Degree at Gannon University.  Mrs. Halasowski is happy to join her husband as a Plum teacher after hearing about all the great things Plum has to offer.

Lindsay Kostorick is from North Hills and will be teaching fifth grade at Center Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Clarion University.  She is also has a Middle-Level Mathematics Certificate.  She is proud to come to a growing district like Plum that focuses on the students and excited to be part of a district that works as a team to ensure student growth.

Lindsey Lamm is from West Middlesex and will be teaching fifth grade at Pivik Elementary School.  Mrs. Lamm holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Grove City College.  She also has an Elementary Math and Science Degree from Slippery Rock University.  She is excited with the challenges ahead and the opportunity to be part of the Plum Borough School District.

Jenna Luptak is from Wilkins Township and will be teaching seventh grade World History at O’Block Junior High School.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Secondary Education from Penn State University.  Ms. Luptak is coming to Plum from Gateway because of our great reputation, amazing staff, and great relationship between teachers and administration.

Gina Lombardi is a Plum graduate and will be teaching ninth grade US History at Plum Senior High School.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Certificate in Social Studies Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  She is returning to her alma mater from the Yough School District because of Plum’s well respected reputation.

Courtney Martz is a Plum graduate and will be teaching French and English at O’Block Junior High School.  She received her Bachelor’s in French at the University of Pittsburgh and her teaching certificate at Seton Hill University.  She has both a French and Middle Level Language Arts teaching certificate.  She is coming back to her alma mater after teaching in Penn Hills and excited for the change of school districts and new challenges.

Jim Nesbit is a Plum graduate and will be teaching fourth grade at Pivik Elementary School.  Mr. Nesbit received his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University.  He also holds a Middle School Math certificate and is excited to teach in the school district which he lives.

Matilyn Plasman is a Plum graduate and will be teaching kindergarten at Adlai Stevenson Elementary School.  Ms. Plasman attended Duquesne University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Psychology.  She is excited to teach in the community that she resides and happy to come to a great school district with ambitious goals and objectives.

Keri Russo is a Plum resident and will be teaching fifth grade at Pivik Elementary School.  She received her dual Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Slippery Rock University.  Mrs. Russo also attended the Master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her Reading Specialist Certificate.  She is coming to Plum from Woodland Hills to teach in the community where she resides.

Dayna Savko is from Murrysville and will be teaching first grade at Holiday Park Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Minor in Child Development and Family Relations.  She student taught at Adlai Stevenson Elementary School and fell in love with the district.  She is excited to teach in Plum because of the wonderful students, parents, and faculty.

Jodi Schorr is a Plum resident and will be teaching special education at Regency Park Elementary School.  Ms. Schorr received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Slippery Rock University.  She also received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Johns Hopkins University.  She recently moved to Plum and enjoyed the school system her child attends.

Michele Spudich is a Plum resident and will be teaching fourth grade at Pivik Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Marketing from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She received her Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.  She comes to Plum to be part of a well-respected school district who implements great programs, technology, and differentiation to the students.  Since she is also a Plum resident, she takes pride in the community and the district.

Heather Szymczak is from North Hills and will be teaching kindergarten at Regency Park Elementary School.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  After reading the district’s philosophy, she felt that her own philosophy and values were well aligned with the districts.

Amber Washowich is from North Huntington and will be teaching at Plum Senior High School.  Ms. Washowich received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Seton Hill University.  She wants to be a member of the Plum teaching community because it is a very united area.

Carissa Whitney is a Plum graduate and will be teaching sixth grade at Pivik Elementary School.  Ms. Whitney received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University.  She has lived in Plum Borough her entire life and received an excellent education here.  She is excited to give back to her community and school district.

Kelly Wickersty is from Cherverly, Maryland and will be teaching fifth grade at Holiday Park Elementary School.  Ms. Wickersty received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and Counseling from the University of Maryland.  She also received her Master’s of Teaching from Johns Hopkins University.  She recently relocated to the Pittsburgh area and is excited and honored to be a part of the Plum Borough team.

Returning from Last Year

Phillip Beatty will return to teach technology education at O’Block Junior High School.

Brianne Brown will continue to work in the Social Studies Department at Plum Senior High School.

Pam Kinzler will move from Plum Senior High School Principal to teach special education at O’Block Junior High School.

Tiffany McClure will return to teach sixth grade at Pivik Elementary School.

Kelly Turner will continue to work in the English Department at Plum Senior High School.

Michelle Zajac will return to teach first grade at Center Elementary School.