College for Kids Instructors
Penn State
Behrend College for Kids is proud of its roster of instructors which
include Penn State Behrend faculty and staff, experienced community
teachers, and local business professionals. Instructors offer a
diverse class selection in a safe learning environment, which is
sure to enhance a child’s education by challenging their
imagination, creativity, and desire to learn.
Instructors are generally available at
the drop-off location prior to class. If you would like to meet your child's
instructor, please notify one of the College for Kids staff members to
arrange this.
Join Our Team
If you are an educator or have extensive experience in a
particular field and would like to be considered, or would like to
recommend someone with these qualifications, please email
Mary Trott
and provide complete contact information along with area of interest. All instructors are required to have Pennsylvania Criminal
and Child Abuse Clearances.
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With your energy and imagination, |
College for Kids 2009 Instructors
Tom Atkins
Education: B.S., Broadcast Journalism, Iowa State University
Experience: Over twenty years experience as a meteorologist
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love meteorology, love teaching it, and
love working for Penn State Behrend.”
Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies
Mission: To develop and implement unique, experiential maritime educational,
vocational, and recreational opportunities in a universally accessible
waterfront facility.
Ed Beck
Education: M.A., Special Education, Edinboro University
Experience: More than twenty years experience teaching model rocketry
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy working with kids who enjoy
rocketry.”
Laura Green Berquist
Education: Currently enrolled, Edinboro University, M.Ed., Art Education
Experience: Art teacher, Erie School District
Why I teach at College for Kids: “College for Kids offers a great
opportunity to work with creative kids from all over the Erie area.”
Joni Blackman
Education: M.Ed., Environmental Education, Slippery Rock University
Experience: Educator, sixth grade math and science, Villa Maria Elementary
School
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy teaching in an informal setting
like College for Kids because we can have fun with the activities that teach
concepts. The kids are learning main ideas and are having fun at the same
time without the stress of tests and grades.”
D. Bradford Boughton
Education: ; M.S. College of Notre Dame; B.S., Recreation & Park Management;
Environmental Education, Penn State University
Experience: Maritime Education Specialist; over 15 years federal experience
U.S. Navy and U.S. Park Service; over 6 years public school experience; 3
years coordinating Environmental Rediscoveries Program with PA Sea Grant.
Why I teach at College for Kids: The resources available between the DCNR
and Sea Grant on Presque Isle are unique and exciting and I am eager to
share this opportunity with College for Kids students.
Pat VanZandt Christianson
Education: B.A., Speech Communication, Edinboro University
Experience: Therapy Dogs United, Inc. Certified Pet Instructor.
Why I teach at College for Kids: The joy of educating young minds with
valuable information that could save their life.
Elaine Crandall
Education: B.M., Music Education, Mercyhurst College, M.M., University of
Wisconsin
Experience: Music Teacher, Erie School District
Why I teach at College for Kids: “To see the excitement and accomplishment
brought forth by ensemble drumming.”
Ron DelPorto
Education: M. B. A., Gannon University
Experience: Lecturer in computer science, Penn State Behrend
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I think this is a great opportunity to
introduce young people to computers and programming in a gentle and fun
way.”
George Dudas
Education: M. B. A., Gannon University
Experience: I have taught computer science courses at Penn State Behrend for
29 years.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “To introduce students to computer science
in a fun but educational environment."
Margaret Giles
Education: Paraprofessional Workshop Series, Clarion University
Experience: Owner, Shore and More, Lake Erie beach glass and beaded jewelry
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I want to be a great role model, not only
in learning, but in life’s choices.”
Thomas Hemminger
Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University
Experience: Penn State Behrend faculty member, 16 years.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I hope to interest young people in
electronics.”
Tami Hritzay
Education: B.S., Art Education, Edinboro University.
Experience: Rostered Artist for Pennsylvania's Arts in Education, over
twenty years of teaching art. Educator at Chautauqua Institute's "Young
Artists" Program. Mural painter, practicing professional artist.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I am greeted every day with a new
group of "budding" artists ready to listen, learn, and create!"
Jr. Achievement of Erie County
Mission: To ensure that every child has a fundamental understanding of the
free enterprise system.
Purpose: To educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise,
business, and economics to improve the quality of their lives.
Tim Lucas
Education: Over thirty years martial arts experience.
Experience: Over thirty years teaching martial arts and wilderness survival
skills.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love helping children learn new
self-discipline techniques they can use throughout their lives.”
Joe Marsili
Education:
Experience:
Why I teach at College for Kids:
Sheryl May
Education: B.S., Music Education, Penn State
Experience: Elementary music teacher, Harbor Creek School District; music
teacher, Penn State Behrend Early Learning Center, licensed Kindermusik
instructor.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love providing musical experiences for
children in a relaxed summer setting!”
Stephen Maynard
Education: Attended Slippery Rock University for Elementary/Special
Education
Experience: Music teacher for six years
Why I teach at College for Kids: “The youth of the world are the ones that
have to carry on the tradition of music and composition. It’s in my interest
to help them embrace these ideas and love music.”
Barbara Nodes-Nakoski
Education: M.S., Special Education, Mercyhurst College
Experience: Music educator, Erie School District, over 20 years
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love teaching. Teaching students art and
music is both rewarding and exciting.”
Julie Kosin O’Donnell
Education: B.S., Mathematics, Penn State Behrend; Education Certificate,
Mercyhurst College.
Experience: Previous experience with College for Kids. Twenty years dance
experience, choreography and musicals.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy encouraging student sot try
something new and do something they never thought they could before."
Steve O’Donnell
Education: B.A., History, Penn State Behrend; Teaching Certificate from
Edinboro University.
Experience: Stage Manager at Seneca High School. Previous experience with
College for Kids. Acted and directed in numerous shows and currently teach
Set Design at Seneca High School.
Why I teach at College for Kids: "The children challenge me to exercise
my creativity daily. They push you to have patience while reminding you that
you are human. We are all one improv game away from being equals."
Lisa Pearson
Education: Continuing Graduate education at Gannon University. B.S., Elementary Education and Early Childhood, Edinboro
University.
Experience: Second grade teacher, Harbor Creek School District
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy the opportunity to teach children
who are eager to expand their knowledge in the relaxed fun-filled setting of
summer.”
Jennifer Pinzok
Education: B.A., Liberal Arts-Criminal Justice, Edinboro University
Experience: Worked in special education classrooms for two years
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy working with children and enjoy
learning from them as well. The rewards go hand-in-hand.”
Dan Quiggle
Education: B.A., History, Penn State Behrend, Secondary Social Studies
teaching certificate Edinboro University.
Experience: Social studies teacher, Harbor Creek School District
Why I teach at College for Kids: “Because I honestly can’t get enough
teaching throughout the school year, so teaching in the summer is a great
thing.”
Ann
Quinn
Education: M.Ed., Natural Science, B.S., Gannon University
Experience: Science lecturer at Penn State Behrend. Worked on L.E.A.F.
Educational Trusts to supplement elementary science curriculum.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love to get young kids interested in
science."
Janice Ronan
Education: B.S., Home Economics, Ohio State University, Graduate Work, Adult
Education, Penn State
Experience: Work with youth in the Erie County 4-H program
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy seeing youth learn in informal
settings. It is exciting to see them realize that learning can be fun and
having fun can be a learning experience, too.”
Christina Schlee
Education: Currently enrolled at Edinboro University; M.S., Special Education, Mercyhurst College
Experience: Seven years teaching experience. Currently Special Education teacher, Iroquois Elementary
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love kids and I think it’s a great
program. Kids get to learn in a fun and exciting way.”
Jon Sedelmyer
Education: M.S. Elementary/Secondary Guidance, Gannon University
Experience: Currently North East High School Boys Golf Coach and Intramural
Golf Director.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love teaching young golf students at CFK.
The facilities for this program are wonderful for the beginner to
intermediate golfer.”
Paul Semrau
Education:
Experience:
Why I teach at College for Kids:
Scott Strasser
Education: B.A., Geography/Environmental Planning, Edinboro University
Experience: Educator; Member of Natural Resources Defense Council and
Defenders of Wildlife; Cryptozoology Certificate; writer; hiker; hunter; storyteller.
Why I teach at College for Kids: "The enthusiasm of the children attending
these classes is a natural draw for any teacher."
Lisa Wagner
Education: B.S., Business, Liberal Arts, Science, Teaching Certification,
Business, Computers, Information Technology, Mercyhurst College
Experience: Currently teach 9-12th graders in Business and Computers at
Seneca High School.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “College for Kids is a great summer
program for students and I love working with different age groups throughout
the summer."
Melissa Weismiller
Experience: Teacher's Aide. 15 years experience working with children in
school/church setting. Education Director of Lawrence Park United Methodist
Church. Personally owned and operated a Craft business.
Why I teach at College for Kids: "I love children. This is an excellent way
for me to teach children to have fun while learning a creative hobby."
Amber Wildfire
Education:
Experience:
Why I teach at College for Kids:
Vicki Zellefrow
Education: Master’s Equivalency, Elementary/Special Education, Mercyhurst
College
Experience: Erie School District nineteen years
Why I teach at College for Kids: “College for Kids provides me with an
opportunity to do what I love—teach!
I enjoy spending time with the children in a relaxing, fun environment.”
Mark Zielinski
Education: B.S., Elementary Education, Penn State
Experience: I have been teaching for three years and I have been associated
with the College for Kids program for the past four summers.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy working with children and I want
to share my knowledge and experiences with my students.”
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