Congratulations to Pottstown High School’s Teacher of the Year
During the school board meeting, building Teachers of the Year were honored. Trojan, proud of our outstanding dedicated educators, who come to school every day with the goal of helping prepare each student for success. They are a positive influence that will make a difference in the lives of our children. They serve as role models for both their students and their peers. They truly are more reason for us to say proud to be from Pottstown. Read what their fellow had to say about them.
Barth - MaryEllen Lammey
Edgewood - Erica Faust
Franklin - Jane Hospador
Lincoln - Kelly Mooney
Rupert - Katie Coolong
PMS - Andrea Roberts
PHS - Michaela Johnson Richardson
Michaela Johnson Richardson
As the most senior veteran member of the CTE Department, Michaela has maintained a consistently high level of instruction, leadership, involvement, student engagement, commitment, integrity, and positive attitude for years. She advocates for her students, her peers, and her community. She is a problem solver through critical thinking and collaboration. She could have gone elsewhere many times over or returned “full time” to nursing. Instead, she remained here by choice.
For years, MIchaela has taught all four blocks and planned on her personal time. She does this to meet the needs of the many students wishing to enter the healthcare profession. If Michaela chose to keep her planning, like many of us have, then students would miss out. She does not want that. She sacrifices her time so the students benefit from having her class. She makes the difficult task of learning medical terms, definitions, and abbreviations fun and meaningful through varied activities. Her senior students complete a portfolio to showcase their work. Michaela carefully designs her classes to mimic the healthcare industry. The majority of curriculum is taught with a team based approach because work in healthcare is team based. Additionally, Michaela uses a state of the art 3D Virtual Cadaver Dissection Table to teach anatomy. Due to the rigor of her curriculum, students in Health Occupations need all of that support to meet the expectations mandated by PDE. Her “completers” continually pass the NOCTI and go onto promising careers in Health Care Professions. Michaela collaborates with Pro-Medica Health Service for student clinical experiences, and monitors her students during these clinical experiences. She is currently working on a new internship opportunity for students at Pottstown Hospital. During the Spring of 2023, she will teach a dual enrollment course “Medical Terminology” with MCCC which is being offered at the high school. Outside of the classroom, Michaela coaches winter and spring track, is member of the SAP Team, the ERT Team, she is new teacher mentor, a Basic Life Support Instructor, a Certified Nurse Aide Training Instructor, a member of Second Baptist Church, a mentor for Leading Ladies and President of the Pottstown High School Touchdown Club. Michaela is a Pottstown High School alumnus that chose to raise her children here in her hometown. She is truly a reason to say “Proud to be from Pottstown!” Congratulations again to Pottstown High School’s Teacher of the Year Michaela Johnson Richardson!
Congratulations to Pottstown Middle School’s Teacher of the Year Andrea Roberts
Andrea has been an indispensable and integral part of Pottstown Middle School over her 15+ year career. In each of her roles, she has maximized its potential and possibilities. Over the past few years, she has turned the library into a student-centered hub of learning and exploration. There are kids constantly desiring to go to Andrea’s' library, including during homeroom, lunch, and afterschool. Students of all grades and abilities are choosing to come explore what the library has to offer. She has tried to create the most pathways of interest for the most kids, not only updating and carefully curating the collection for our diverse Pottstown student body, but updating the means by which kids access any form of media.
In addition to meeting the needs of the whole building, Andrea wears the other "hat" of a related arts teacher for fifth grade, again pushing the boundaries of what is included in its curriculum, including group activities where students can utilize more innovative, cutting-edge resources and media. Andrea’s mission has been to get kids to want to read, which means adapting with the times and interests of the kids. Students might explore future careers, research a person in science or history who they relate to, or they might dive into the challenge of Reading Olympics. Andrea is always reaching out to teachers to assist with lessons like Walking Classroom, sampling and sharing resources for staff and students, and initiating school-wide contests and academic-minded challenges. She has been a role model for many students through the years, and many have listed her as one of their most influential middle school teachers. Her consistent, calm demeanor and sincere ability to listen has made her a safe person for kids to turn to. She has been a coach and club advisor, and now helps lead the WEB initiative. The eighth grade students in WEB are not just nurtured for one year, but Andrea continues to check in on them through high school. Over the past decade of transitions at Pottstown Middle School, Andrea has been a figure of stability and a positive force for change. She has demonstrated the ability to grow and adapt, and it is hard to imagine both the library and the school community without her. Although the library position might have been overlooked or under defined in the past, Andrea has challenged those assumptions and made our library the place to be for all students at Pottstown Middle School. Congratulations again to Pottstown Middle School’s Teacher of the Year Andrea Roberts!
Congratulations to Rupert’s Teacher of the Year -Katie Coolong
Katie always has a smile on her face. She is kind and generous to all of those around her. Katie goes above and beyond and always demonstrates patience and creativity. She works extremely hard to make sure that her students are prepared for kindergarten. Katie does whatever she can to address the needs of her students and to communicate with her families. She has an excellent rapport with those families and with the rest of the Rupert staff. Katie is well respected. She is willing to help other teachers in any way she can, and never has a negative comment to say. She keeps a positive attitude even when she does not get prep or lunch. Katie is the perfect Pre K teacher! Congratulations again to Rupert’s Teacher of the Year Katie Coolong!
Congratulations to Lincoln’s Teacher of the Year - Kelly Mooney
Kelly has the most excellent rapport with her students that I have ever seen in my teaching career. She finds ways to teach that are engaging and interesting to her students. Her teaching methods are effective because she uses different strategies with each student so that all of their unique needs are met. She knows what is going to help each child. Kelly is open to any method of teaching that will help her students, even if this teaching method creates more work for her. She makes each student feel capable of learning whatever subject she is teaching. She empowers her students. The students look after each other, and there is a genuine sense of caring in Kelly’s classroom. She has more patience than anyone I have ever encountered in my teaching career and life in general! Mrs. Mooney is very caring, empathetic, sympathetic and instinctive in the ways she delivers instruction. She is the embodiment of an excellent teacher! Congratulations again to Lincoln’s Teacher of the Year Kelly Mooney!
Congratulations to Franklin’s Teacher of the Year - Jane Hospador
Jane was born and raised in Pottstown and currently resides in Pottstown. When she was younger she and her brother would often play at the Franklin playground. This is her 24th year of teaching at Franklin. Jane is a dedicated and hard working educator who gives her all to her students. She is creative and extremely organized. She has a plethora of binders in her classroom that are marked so nicely! She has a positive attitude and always brings her personal touch to her teaching. Jane differentiates instruction for her students and works diligently with planning for her reading and math groups. She understands that one plan and strategy does not fit for every student. She adjusts and adapts to her students' needs. She is a team player and is always willing to assist her students and her colleagues as well. Jane is a member of multiple committees at Franklin such as Winter Teacher Performance and Spirit Week. She is an active member of F.O.F., attends many meetings and helps organize multiple after school activities and functions for our students and their families. She is often seen at many of those functions with other Franklin colleagues, her parents and even her dog Junior! Jane is involved at the district level as the first grade representative for Franklin. She is currently one of the vice presidents for the Federation of Pottstown Teachers and is often seen speaking at board meetings to support our students and her colleagues. She is an active member of the Pottstown community and can be seen around town at various events. Thank you Jane for everything that you have done for Franklin, the Pottstown School District and the community of Pottstown. Congratulations again to Franklin’s Teacher of the Year Jane Hospador!
Congratulations to Edgewood’s Teacher of the Year - Erica Faust
Erica is the K-4 emotional support teacher at Edgewood. She makes sure that the students get their education, play-time, and social skills instruction, all while dealing with issues that come up throughout the day. Erica deals with student behaviors with extreme grace, patience and confidence. You can tell she genuinely cares and loves her students, and wants what is best for them. Balancing 5 grade levels is no easy task but she makes it work and gives all of her students the love and attention they need to grow and succeed. It's no surprise that she is loved and respected by students, staff and administration alike. She has confidence in what she does, but she isn't afraid to ask for help or assistance when needed. She is in constant communication with students’ parents/guardians, and Erica is a constant support for other staff here at Edgewood. She communicates with others well about events that are happening within the school/district. Erica makes sure there is structure throughout the day for her students, providing them with visual and auditory timers, so they know when time is up for a certain activity. In detail, she goes over instructions and directions for certain tasks and activities before the students participate.
Erica adds so much to our building. Her students and our school are better because she works here. I am proud to be her colleague. Congratulations again to Edgewood’s Teacher of the Year Erica Faust!
Congratulations to Barth's Teacher of the Year -Mary Ellen Lammey
Mary Ellen brings out the best in all students and staff. She works hard to motivate her students on every level, and she pushes them to achieve their individual successes. She is who EVERY teacher should want to be as an educator. Mary Ellen works collaboratively with her co-workers across grade levels and specialties to benefit her students. She uses STEAM learning opportunities consistently in her curriculum to obtain and maintain the attention of all learning types. Mary Ellen is always prepared with lesson plans that individualize instruction for each student’s skill level including materials that are adapted appropriately for students requiring specially designed instruction. She allows students to "fail" and try again so they are able to learn how they can achieve success after something doesn't go their way. She utilizes the district learning programs daily as instructed by administration to assure validity of the program. SHE REACHES STUDENTS AT THEIR LEVEL SO THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL! Mary Ellen is an active team member at Barth and is willing to assist staff in any aspect possible. She is the best and could be Barth's Teacher of the Year EVERY YEAR! As many staff members at Barth are overheard saying, “ I want to be Lammey!” Congratulations again to Barth’s Teacher of the Year Mary Ellen Lammey!!