Mrs. Kathryn Austin
Teacher - Grade 4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4151
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Mr. Brian Bechtold
Teacher - Art
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4133
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Mrs. Kristina Billingsley
Teacher - Autistic Support
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4119
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Mr. Joshua Biss
School Psychologist
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)
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Mrs. Ann Borowski
Teacher - Grade 3
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4124
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Mrs. Christine Bossung
School Counselor
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4143
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Mrs. Ally Bozicevic
School Nurse - Oblock Elementary Nursing Department
Office: 412-798-6381
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Mrs. Ceara Branch
Speech-Language Pathologist
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4146
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Mrs. Christine Clark
Teacher - Grade 2
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4120
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Mrs. Jamie Cravener
Teacher - Learning Support
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4144
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Mrs. Kerry Cressler
Teacher - Grade 3
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4125
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Ms. Danielle DelVecchio
Learning Support 3-4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4144
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Mrs. Kris Demko
Teacher - Kindergarten
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4111
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Ms. Kaitlyn Ellsworth
Teacher - Special Education
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4141
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Mr. David Evans
Teacher - Grade 4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4137
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Ms. Maria Fajt
Principal, O'Block Elementary School
Office: 412-795-4420
Starting in 2018, Ms. Fajt joined the District’s administrative team as the Assistant Principal at Oblock Junior High and Holiday Park Elementary. Additionally, she has served on numerous building and district-level committees. Most recently, she served as the English Language Arts administrative chair where she successfully led the curriculum adoption of new resources in our K-12 classrooms.
Ms. Fajt’s vast experiences include working as a teacher and academic facilitator for both the School District of Palm Beach County and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. While serving in Charlotte Mecklenburg, she worked as a Dean of Instruction and participated in the Emerging Leaders Program. She has trained with The Teachers’ College at Columbia University and Relay Graduate School of Education in New York City with Paul Bambrick-Santoyo. Ms. Fajt served as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor at Westmoreland County Community College. Most recently, she served as a Literacy Academic Coach for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Ms. Fajt is a graduate of both Hempfield Area Senior High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She also received her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University , and has pursued a School Administration Degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
Ensuring student success has always been a driving force for Ms. Fajt. She has brought a variety of experiences and knowledge to O’Block Elementary School and Plum Borough School District. Ms. Fajt has high expectations for students and staff and will maintains consistent accountability for all. She believes open communication and transparency are critical elements to the overall success of the children at O’Block Elementary.
Bachelor of Science in Education - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership - Gonzaga University
Graduate Certificate in School Administration - University of North Carolina Charlotte
Elementary Education K-6
Mid-Level English - 6-9
Administrative II
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Mrs. Lynn Forbeck
Teacher - Grade 4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4129
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Mrs. Martha Freese
Teacher - Grade 3
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4126
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Mr. Charles Froehlich
Teacher - Physical Education
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4135
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Mrs. Bess Gates
Social Worker
Office: 412-798-6304
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Mr. John Hartnett
Teacher - STEM
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4121
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Mrs. Kelly Haupt
Teacher - ELL
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4119
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Mrs. Kelly Heffern
Teacher - Music
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4136
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Mrs. Ann Kalik
Teacher - Reading
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4140
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Mrs. Heather Kerrigan
Teacher - Grade 1
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4128
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Ms. Sherry Lucas
Teacher - Grade 1 - Department Leader: ELA, K-4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4116
Department Leader: ELA, K-4 B.S. Elementary Education, M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction @PBSD: 22 years
| I have always had a passion for early literacy. I feel that it is important for the primary grades to be represented in decisions regarding curriculum and I am excited to help our students learn and grow in new ways! |
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Ms. Brittani Malik
Teacher - Grade 2
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4142
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Mrs. Peggy Mankovich
Teacher - Grade 4
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4131
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Mrs. Erin Marion
Teacher - Band
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4142
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Mrs. Megan Martz
Teacher - Strings
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4142
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Mrs. Kelly McIntyre
Teacher - Grade 2
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4123
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Ms. Emily Mischen
Teacher - Grade 3
Office: 412-795-4420 x 6346
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Mrs. Tiffany Nazak
Teacher - Grade 2
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4117
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Officer Mike Netzlof
School Police Officer
Office: 412-795-4420 x 6314
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Ms. Brenna Orriola
Teacher - Special Education
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4115
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Mrs. Robbin Pedley
Teacher - Grade 1
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4114
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Mr. JR Pilyih
Teacher - Grade 1
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4113
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Mrs. Michelle Piper
Teacher - Grade 3
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4122
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Mrs. Patty Savinda
Cafeteria
Office: 412-795-4420 x 6382
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Mrs. Jodi Schorr
Teacher - Life Skills
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4145
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Mrs. Emily Smith
Administrative Assistant
Office: 412-795-4420 x 6380
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Mrs. Katie Snyder
Teacher - Grade 2
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4118
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Dr. Brian Stevens
Teacher - Library/GATE
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4132
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Mrs. Jill Venanzi
Teacher - Reading
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4130
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Mrs. Kirstin Vinton
Teacher - Kindergarten
Office: 412-795-4420 x 4112
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