Athletics

Directory: Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Kelly Bechtold

Teacher - Learning Support

bechtoldk@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2152

Mrs. Jennifer Berrott

Teacher - Grade 2

berrottj@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2122

Ms. Katie Bish

Teacher - Reading Specialist

bishk@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2145

Mr. Joshua Biss

School Psychologist

bissj@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-0100 x 6358

Mr. Biss earned his B.S. in Psychology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He earned his M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and CAGS in School Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He holds his PA Level II Certification in School Psychology. Mr. Biss joins the Plum Borough School District with experiences in the provision of traditional and nontraditional School Psychology services across rural, suburban, and urban settings. Most recently, Mr. Biss served as a School Psychologist with the Penn-Trafford School District.

Mr. Biss began his professional service as an intern with the Derry Township School District in Hershey, PA. This afforded him the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and experience with the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) as both a service-delivery model for instruction and for identifying children in need of specially designed instruction using Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII) data in accordance with best practices. He then spent time with the Grove City Area School District where he continued to provide services to children, youth, and their families using both traditional and nontraditional School Psychology services. Mr. Biss followed this experience up with several years of practice with the Pittsburgh Public Schools that saw him expand into more leadership roles as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, a BrainSTEPS Team Leader, and a Pathway to Graduation (P2G) facilitator in schools all over the city. Mr. Biss has also previously helped develop and lead a pilot program that helps identify and assist children with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties through coordination of school-based and community-based resources. He also has worked on implementing best practices in crisis response, specifically the use of risk and crisis assessment for at-risk youth.

Throughout his entire career, Mr. Biss has been an advocate for youth with disabilities and their families. He recognizes the unique skillset that a School Psychologist can bring to a school and community and believes in building relationships with students, families, and staff; using evidence-based practices at the systems level to improve academic achievement and mental health; and fostering a safe and welcoming school environment. If he can be of service to anyone in the Plum Borough community, he encourages individuals or groups to reach out.

Mr. Biss lives with his wife, Samantha, daughter, Kinsley, and his two dogs in Murrysville. He enjoys all things Pittsburgh sports, working out, spending time with family and friends throughout the AK Valley, and trying not to embarrass himself on the golf course.

B.S. Psychology
M.Ed. Educational Psychology
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) School Psychology
Doctoral Candidate
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)

Mrs. Matilyn Bonura

Teacher - Grade 2

bonuram@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2123

Mrs. Melissa Bradfield

Teacher - Grade 4

bradfieldm@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2136

Mrs. Leanne Christ

Teacher - Grade 2

christl@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2124

Ms. Ann Cole

Teacher - STEM

colea@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2144

Mrs. Candie Comunale

Teacher - Grade 3

ComunaleC@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2135

Ms. Tonya Coy

Teacher - Grade 2

coyt@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2141

Mrs. Shannon Cummings

Teacher - Learning Support

cummingss@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2151

Ms. Janet DeMarco

Teacher - Grade 4

demarcoj@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2137

Mrs. Terri Ehalt

Teacher - Reading Specialist

ehaltt@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2146

Mrs. Leah Emanuele

Teacher - Grade 1

emanuelel@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2115

Mrs. Kim Exler

Teacher - Grade 1

exlerk@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2117

Mrs. Bess Gates

Social Worker

milchb@pbsd.net

Office: 412-798-6304

Mr. Michael Gauntner

Principal, Pivik Elementary School

gauntnerm@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 6383

Mr. Gauntner joined the District’s administrative team as the Assistant Principal at Plum Senior
High School in 2016. During this time he has also served on numerous building and district-level
committees. Most recently, he served as the Library and Science administrative chair where he
successfully led the adoption of new resources in our K-12 curriculum.

Mr. Gauntner previously worked for the Penn Hills School District for 17 years before joining the
Plum Family. During his tenure at Penn Hills, he started as a classroom teacher and Math
Coach. He took his first step into administration as an Associate Principal at Linton Middle
School and Penn Hills Elementary School.

A resident and a parent in Plum, Mr. Gauntner is also able to wear his “parent hat” as a
community member. He said, “As a principal and leader, I aspire to build a school culture and
educational program conducive to student learning and development. Families face tremendous
challenges today, and my goal is to instill positive behavior, student and faculty teamwork, and
cooperation within the learning environment. I am passionate about fostering strong working
relationships and facilitating the integration of initiatives designed to foster a rigorous and caring
learning community.”

Mrs. Christy Halasowski

Teacher - Grade 2

halasowskic@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 5147

Mr. Jake Halasowski

Teacher - Grade 4

halasowskij@pbsd.net

Office: 412-795-4580 x 2133

Mrs. Tracey Heffron

Teacher - Social Studies - Department Leader: Social Studies, K-6

heffront@pbsd.net

Department Leader: Social Studies; K-6

Bachelors in Ed. Masters in K-8 Math/Science

@PBSD: 8 years

I was motivated and inspired to take on the role of department leader as both a teacher and community member with children in the district. I hope to collaborate with colleagues to provide the best Social Studies curriculum to best serve our students.