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.
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 contact Mary Trott at
(814) 898-6212. All instructors are required to have Pennsylvania Criminal
and Child Abuse Clearances.
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With your energy and imagination, |
College for Kids 2008 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.”
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."
Penn State Master Gardeners of Erie County
Mission: To support the Penn State Cooperative Extension by utilizing
research-based information to educate the public on best practices in
consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. Members dedicate
volunteer time to teaching horticulture information based on university
research recommendations.
Zack Eriksen
Education: B.A., History, Penn State; PA Secondary Education Certification
Social Studies, Mercyhurst College
Experience: 2 years student coordinator, 2 years instructor CFK
Why I teach at College for Kids: “It’s a good program with good children,
allows me to enjoy coaching in the summer.”
Mary Flowers
Education: M.A. and teaching certification in Special Education, Edinboro
University
Experience: Worked with the College for Kids program for the past four
years.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “College for Kids is hands-on, active, and
student centered. The program offers children the chance to take classes
that aren't usually found in elementary schools.”
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.”
Kellie Gilmore
Education: B. A., Penn State Behrend.
Experience: Penn State Behrend Early Learning Center, 6 years.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love kids and want them to have an
educational and fun summer.”
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, from deserts of Arizona to the cultured halls
of Chautauqua Institution.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “Teaching College for Kids has enabled me
to encourage and mentor our upcoming artists!”
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 twenty years martial arts experience.
Experience: Over twenty 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.”
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
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.”
Meredith Meyer
Education: Political Science, Penn State Behrend
Experience: College for Kids student coordinator
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love kids and want them to have a good
role model.”
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
Experience: Eight years of theatre/acting and eighteen years dance
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love theatre and dance.”
Lisa Pearson
Education: 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 wanted 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.”
Erin Wright Pollifrone
Education: M.A., English, Gannon University
Experience: English instructor
Why I teach at College for Kids: “As a Penn State Behrend alum, I have
always wanted to return to this campus to contribute skills I’ve learned
through education provided by Penn State.”
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.”
Nick Renaud
Education: B.A., Journalism, Oswego State University, Elementary Education
Certification, Wilson College
Experience: Teaching writing at Montessori Regional Charter School
Why I teach at College for Kids: “Working with kids is fun and it keeps me
young.”
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: M.S., Special Education, Mercyhurst College
Experience: 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 girls golf coach and North East
Middle School 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.”
Sherry Sterling
Education: B.S., Gannon University
Experience: 13 years teaching experience in private and public education
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy teaching and leading children to
discover new things.”
Diana Tinlin
Education: Mechanical Engineering, Penn State Behrend
Experience: Penn State Behrend Mechanical Engineering Program and President
of the Society of Women Engineers.
Why I teach at College for Kids: “Teaching engineering, a subject that I’m
passionate about, to students sounds like a great experience.”
Jennifer Vrenna
Education: M. Ed., Edinboro University
Experience: Twelve years teaching, Iroquois School District
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I enjoy making learning fun and memorable.
CFK is an exciting social venue in which to accomplish this.”
Lisa Wagner
Education: B.S., Business, Liberal Arts, Science, Teaching Certification,
Business, Computers, Information Technology, Mercyhurst College
Experience: College for Kids student coordinator
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I would love to work with kids over the
summer to be a part of their continual learning, specifically in the area of
business and computers."
Brian Young
Education: M.S., Manufacturing Systems Engineering, B.S., Plastics
Engineering Technology, Penn State
Experience: Assistant Professor of Engineering, Penn State Behrend
Why I teach at College for Kids: “It’s a good opportunity to expose kids to
plastics and get them interested in engineering. The world needs more
engineers.”
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—in
a relaxed environment for the students.”
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.”
Patty Zukowski
Education: M. Ed., Psychology, Edinboro University
Experience: First grade instructor, Iroquois Elementary School
Why I teach at College for Kids: “I love the learning environment and want
to help students learn the basic skills they need to be successful adults.”
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