Nine area educators to be honored at State Theatre
Nine area educators will be honored as Fayette County Educators of the Year at a reception in the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown this Wednesday. The Fayette Chamber of Commerce Education Council selected the educators based on those whose career is a role model of skill and dedicated service to students, schools, the education profession and the community.
Well over 50 nominations for Educator of the Year were received after they were sought from the public earlier this year. Selections were chosen based on the nominations received.
An educator from nine areas, including each of Fayette County’s five school districts, were selected and will be honored at the awards presentation, which is now in its 17th year.
Educators receiving awards are as follows:
Jane Pramuk of the Albert Gallatin (AG) School District. Pramuk teaches chemistry at the AG Area High School, and is also involved in curriculum writing. Pramuk received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania and an AP in chemistry training at LaSalle University. She has sponsored “Young Astronauts” and worked on the “Coal & Coke” inter-curricular project. Other honors include the “Salt and Light” Humanitarian Award given by the Diocese of Greensburg. Outside of school, she is very involved with St. Mary’s in Leckrone, where she coordinates summer bible school and serves as Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) coordinator.
Gary L. Wandel of the Connellsville Area School District. Wandel currently teachers what his nominator considers the three hardest classes at Connellsville Area Senior High School: AP Calculus, Trigonometry and Probability and Statistics. Wandel was responsible for developing and initiating AP Calculus at the high school. He sits on several school committees, including the curriculum and computer evaluation committees. Other honors received by Wandel include the St. Vincent College Outstanding Educator Award, Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator, and Duquesne & West Virginia Educator Awards.
David Karwatsky of the Frazier School District. Karwatsky is the ninth-grade English teacher at Frazier High School. He sponsors the school newspaper, the Commodore Chronicle. His educational background is from Penn State, California University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh. A former student nominated Karwatsky, stating, “Over the years, my friend and I have made numerous ‘Unofficial Teach of the Year’ certificates for Mr. K., but we feel that it’s about time he received the real thing.”
Richard Bobincheck of the Laurel Highlands School District. Bobincheck teaches eighth grade technology education at the Laurel Highlands Middle School. He holds both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in education. He organized and conducts a CO2 car club in which he allows students to join after producing their first CO2 car. Bobincheck recently was recognized for his wood carving ability after he placed second in the world in the Worldwide Masters Division Carving Competition. He was featured in the Herald-Standard newspaper on Sunday, July 17, 2005 for his craftsmanship.
Jacqueline Goldberg of the Uniontown Area School District. Goldberg serves as the guidance counselor at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. She holds a graduate degree from California University of Pennsylvania and a Masters Degree in Elementary Guidance. Goldberg has been nominated twice for the KDKA Thanks To Teachers Award and has been named Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She also volunteers her time for numerous worthy causes, including Junior Achievement and the Greater Uniontown Heritage Consortium Board of Directors for the State Theatre Center for the Arts.
Jes Hutson for Post-Secondary Education. Hutson is a full-time faculty member at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, where he teaches kinesiology. He is the founder of the Fayette County Community Service Scholarship Program, which honors high school and college students. Hutson also was recognized as the Penn Stater of the Quarter for excellence in teaching and service, and was a Community Champion nominee. The United Way, the American Heart Association, the Salvation Army and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers all benefit from Hutson’s volunteered time.
Melvyn Sepic for Private/Parochial Education. Sepic serves as the principal of St. Mary Nativity School in Uniontown. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from California Teachers College, a Masters in Education from West Virginia University (WVU) and received his principal certification from WVU and Penn State University. Sepic taught in the Laurel Highlands School District from 1963 through 2000 before he accepted his latest assignment. Sepic has served on various local boards, including the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Commission, the South Union Township Sewage Authority and the Greater Uniontown Joint Sewage Authority.
Pam Herron for Intermediate Unit (IU) 1. Herron is as a transition support teacher for the IU 1 in the Connellsville Area School District. Herron has a Masters Degree in Special Education from Penn State University and California University of Pennsylvania. One of her community activities includes the Connellsville Business and Professional Women’s Club, where she has held several board positions. She also has helped with mailings for both the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Asociation. Herron is an active member of St. Aloysius Church, where she serves on the pastoral council and is assistant coordinator of the youth group and a eucharistic minister.
Christina Sanner for Early Childhood Education. Sanner is the director and pre-kindergarten teacher for the Uniontown Area YMCA’s Learning Center. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in both early childhood and children with special needs. She is actively involved with the Early Care and Education Committee, the United Way and the Special Olympics. Several parents and co-workers nominated Sanner, each believing that she has filled the lives of children in her care with “rainbows and sunshine.”
In addition to recognizing educators, the Education Council is also proud to honor five Fayette County students with the first EducationWorks! Student Scholarship Awards. These individuals were chosen from a pool of the previous year’s Student of the Month recipients.
The following students will be honored:
– Troy Lowry, son of Kenny and Darlene Lowry of Mount Braddock, student in the Laurel Highlands School District.
– Joshua Fronczek, son of Sylvester and Deborah Fronczek of Uniontown, student in the Uniontown Area School District.
– Matthew Cavalcante, son of Ralph and Brenda Cavalcante of Masontown, student in the Albert Gallatin Area School District.
– Jessica Barcelo, daughter of Luis and Vicki Barcelo of Fayette City, student in the Frazier School District.
– Caroline Gessner, daughter of Richard and Susan Gessner of Charleroi, student at Geibel Catholic High School.