|
Mrs.
Callahan
(Math -- Conestoga
Valley High) |
I always liked math, but Mrs.
Callahan helped me to know that it would be a big part of my
future. My senior year was the first year Mrs. Callahan had
taught Calculus. Nevertheless, she told us everything upfront.
From when a test was going to be difficult, to our grades, to
what college would hold in store for us. She explained that
even though she majored in math, there were a few courses that
really frustrated her and some in which she barely got through.
I always thought back to this when I was struggling through a
math class in my college experience. Aside from being honest
with us in class, Mrs. Callahan and I grew to be friends out of
class too. She and I would meet to go over homework and notes
many times. She even introduced me to other math faculty whom I
have kept in touch with to this day. Mrs. Callahan got excited
when we did well, and encouraged us when things were going
rough. She was not only a great teacher, but also a great
friend helping me through personal problems and school issues.
Nothing could have ended my senior year more appropriately than
the events that occurred at our high school awards night. Mrs.
Callahan got the chance to give me the senior math award,
something that meant a lot to both of us. I truly believe she
was the main reason I got this award, as well as the reason I
love math to this day. Without her encouragement, I doubt I
would be in an engineering field.
-- Abby Hinkle |
|
Dr.
Connie Cooper
(Math & Physics --
Academy of Notre Dame) |
Dr. Cooper was my Physics and
Calculus teacher during my senior year of high school. She
helped me realize how interesting science and math are and how
great the engineering field is. She made her classes fun and
stimulating, offering interesting physics facts and
demonstrations. She also exhibited a wonderful devotion to her
students, offering so much of her free time, especially before
school and during lunch, to help her students develop their math
and science skills. Dr. Cooper was one of my favorite teachers
and I probably wouldn't be in engineering if it wasn't for her.
She greatly deserves to be recognized for her wonderful skills
as a teacher and a role model.
-- Kathryn Roberts |
|
Mr. Paul Fantaski
(Math -- Kiski Area
High) |
During my senior
year of high school, I learned a lot from being in Mr.Fantaski's
AP Calculus class, most of which did not relate strictly to
math. As far as the actual math goes, Mr.Fantaski's teaching
methods made it easy to understand all of the intricate aspects
of calculus. He printed out notes to give to the class to make
sure that everyone had all the right information. Besides just
learning about math in Mr.Fantaski's class, he also stressed the
importance of good writing skills. As a final project, we had to
write a research paper pertaining to calculus without using any
forms of the word "be" to help improve our writing skills. While
that task caused me a bit of stress at the time, it truly did
help me to make my writing more active. Beyond just school work,
Mr.Fantaski always made an effort to really know his students.
He always talked to us about the activities in which we were
involved and the events going on in our lives. Mr.Fantaski not
only played the roles of teacher and mentor, but also that of a
friend.
-- Gillian Friday |
|
Mr. Craig Gahr
(Drafting -- St.
Mary's Area High) |
Mr. Gahr taught
me about many different computer programs that I will need in
the future. He also helped me to decide on what I should major
in at college. He is a Great teacher and I just wanted him to
know that.
-- Katie Sennett |
|
Mr.
Craig Halpern
(Physics -- Pennsbury
High) |
Mr. Halpern not only
made learning physics fun. He inspired me to pursue engineering
as a career. He gave me the confidence that I needed to succeed
in a tough curriculum that is to-date a very male-dominated
world. To this day, he continues to be my best mentor, and the
impact he has made on me is far greater than he realizes. I'm
glad to have this opportunity to show my thanks for all that he
has done for me.
-- Jaclyn Kasrel |
|
Mr. Tom Harden
(Physical
Science & Chemistry --
Hempfield Area Senior High) |
Mr. Harden has inspired me to become interested
in science. He has incredible teaching skills and a unique
student-to-teacher bond with his students. He gave me the
inspiration to learn all I can about science. Mr. Harden was
the teacher whom got me interested in physics which later gave
me the inspiration to enter into engineering.
-- Erika Mendoza |
|
Mrs. Mary Holtz
(Math Department Head -- Franklin Regional
Senior High) |
Out of all of the
teachers I came across during my four years of high school, Mrs.
Holtz is clearly the most caring, enthusiastic, and talented. I
was lucky enough to have her for two years of high school math,
Honors Trigonometry and AP Calculus BC. Mrs. Holtz has a
passion for math, for teaching, and for her students. She
challenges her students and makes them work to their potential,
but she also wants her students to learn the material and to do
well in her class. She is very encouraging, and if a student is
having trouble with a certain topic she is more than happy to
stay after school and go over it with them. She teaches math in
a way that it is hard for a student not to enjoy it. When
making decisions as to what math classes to take in high school
many students chose the challenge of an AP course rather than a
regular course because they knew they would have Mrs. Holtz.
Her enthusiasm is clearly evident in the classroom, but also
outside. She is interested in her students’ activities and
attends school events to support her students. She is always
willing to write letters of recommendation to deserving students
and encourages them to pursue careers in math related fields.
It is because of her that I had the confidence to enter an
engineering major and even take an honors calculus course my
first semester in college. When you talk to students that have
graduated from my high school, if there is one teacher that they
wish to go back and visit, it is always Mrs. Holtz. This is
Mrs. Holtz’s last year of teaching, as she is retiring after
this school year, and I think receiving “The Women in
Engineering Mentor Educator Award” would be an awesome way to
recognize all of her years of service to the school, her
students, and the math world. I am grateful for being able to
have her as a teacher, as is every other student she has taught,
and I feel she is highly deserving of this award.
-- Melissa Lackey |
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Mrs. Maria Hoover
(Physics -- Central Cambria High) |
I am nominating Mrs.
Hoover because she was one of the best teachers I have ever
had. She was not only my teacher but I also considered her as
one of my friends. She was always there for her students and
she cared if they understood the material or not. She took time
out of her day to help you if you had any questions. She made a
hard subject fun and exciting.
-- Nominated by Alana Adams |
|
Mr. Joseph
Kochman
(Math -- Purchase Line High) |
He was the best high
school teacher I've ever had. With his teaching methods and a
positive, light-hearted attitude, Mr. Kochman always has his
students interested in math. He gives them the confidence
that's necessary to learn such a tough subject and makes the
experience enjoyable. It was because of him that I became so
interested in mathematics and had the courage to go into
engineering. After taking him for Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and
Trigonometry, my knowledge in math sent my SAT scores soaring
sky-high above average. He proved to me that I had the ability
to go far in life with my skills. Now that I'm in college and
seeing for myself that I can accomplish everything I've always
dreamed of doing, I realize that I'm lucky to have known him.
Without Mr. Kochman, I probably wouldn't have had the confidence
to pursue my major.
-- Jamie Lee Fisher |
|
Mr. Ray Kreiser
(Math & Computer Science --
Annville-Cleona High) |
Mr. Kreiser is a dedicated
teacher who cares about his students. He was my C++ and AP
Calculus teacher, as well as the advisor for Student Council and
the Math Team. He never failed to take time to explain an
especially difficult related rates problem. Perhaps the most
lasting effect he made on me though was through my participation
in the American Computer Science League competitions. Mr.
Kreiser taught us the concepts required to succeed against
private and public schools on a national level, and he
fundraised in order to allow us to go and compete in the
national all-star contests. My success in these competitions and
in classes such as AP Calculus encouraged me to pursue a career
in bioengineering. I plan to earn my Ph.D. in bioengineering
following my undergraduate degree and one day become a professor
at a major research university.
-- Rachel E. Miller |
|
Mr. Luciano
(Computer Science -- Pocono Mountain High) |
No matter what Mr. Luciano pushed me to do as
well as I could and to challenge the fact that there are not
many women in the field. He was always positive in wanting me to
do better and I really appreciated it. I credit him for where I
am today! THANKS MR. L!!
-- Jennifer Girgenti |
|
Mrs. Anne Majcher
(Chemistry -- Bishop McCort High) |
I am nominating Mrs. Majcher because she has
always encouraged my interest in math and science. She ha
repeatedly told me that I could be an engineer as long as I set
my mind to it and worked hard--and she was right. Mrs. Majcher
not only made chemistry interesting but it was fun too. Her
chemistry classes were the ones that everyone looked forward to
attending each day. I wish all teachers could be just liked her.
Although I will have been graduated from high school for 4 years
this coming May, she has continued to be a source of guidance
and encouragement in all that I do. But most importantly, she
has been my friend. I look forward to the day when I can show
her my engineering degree and know that she'll be extremely
proud.
-- Jaclyn A. Papuga |
|
Mrs. Milkent
(YALE Teacher/Director -- Yough High) |
Mrs. Milkent has encouraged me to go after my
goals! She continuously organizes activities to evolve the
variety of talent in her students, and she always supports her
students 100 percent. Many achievements that I accomplished in
the YALE Program still remain on my resume! She deserves many
Thank Yous for the motivation!
-- Danielle Zurovcik |
|
Mrs. Margaret
Mira
(Counselor
-- Trinity Catholic High) |
I never would have
applied to Penn State if Mrs. Mira hadn’t suggested I do so as a
safety school. She knew I was interested in engineering and told
me I’d love it here, which I definitely do.
-- Jessica Passero |
|
Mrs. Jenny Negin
(Math -- Marjory Stoneman Douglas) |
I never really cared
for math until I had Mrs. Negin as a teacher. After taking her
class, I realized that math was actually a lot of fun, and I'd
like to pursue a career in which it was involved.
-- Mariana Garcia |
|
Mr. Charles
Preice
(Math -- Dallas School District) |
I am nominating Mr. Preice because if he was not
my teacher I would have never gone into engineering. I took
trigonometry, analysis, and calculus with Mr. Preice. I hated
math before I met him. I didn't understand it and I found it
very difficult. Mr. Preice helped me to understand math
concepts and he made learning fun. If I wasn't good in math I
would have never gone into engineering. He also told us to go
for whatever we wanted to do regardless of how difficult it
was. He always said "Shoot for the stars, but if you miss and
land on the moon that's ok too." He told us to strive for
careers that we could be proud of and to try as hard as we could
for whatever we wanted to do.
-- Melissa Shaver |
|
Mrs. Jodie Ramsay
(Math -- Upper St. Clair High) |
Mrs. Ramsay was the
best math teacher I ever had and I had her for 3 years in high
school. She helped me build a good foundation in math which has
been very helpful. Her teaching also helped me realize that I
have a love for math which was a big part of why I decided to go
into engineering.
-- Amanda Evans |
|
Mr. Renzi
(Spanish -- Yough High) |
Mr. Renzi has the
BIGGEST HEART EVER!!! Energy illuminates from his teaching. He
encourages all of his students to do well in school and never
hesitates to help someone out. If you cannot find his room in
Yough High School, just look for the room where the sun is
always shining!
-- Danielle Zurovcik |
|
Jay Rexroth
(Architecture & Engineering Teacher --
Dallastown Area High) |
It was partly by reference but mainly by chance
that I enrolled in Mr. Rexroth's class first year architecture
class; there is not a doubt in my mind that doing so set the
course, not only for my wonderful high school career, but also a
life afterwards which is to suit me perfectly. In the following
year I took several more courses taught by him, became a
basketball manager, and could be found in his room nearly every
other moment of the day. Coach was always willing to help me in
every possible situation I could bring to him, and I did bring
him everything. He served as my most comfortable outlet and
source for advice. From last minute mousetrap timer designs to
the break up with my boyfriend of nearly four years, Coach was
always the one I came running to for help. He's formed my life
in so many ways, not the least of which was showing me the
perfect synthesis of my skills in art, design, math, physics,
and engineering and allowing for my pursuit of architectural
engineering, what I have found to be the perfect fit to my
abilities. I know what Mr. Rexroth has given me in my final
years of high school was not limited to my experience of the
time, he has given me the guidance and the friendship that I
will continue to carry with me in every aspect of my life.
-- Lauren Wilke |
|
Mr. Robert Rosen
(AP Physics -- Marjory Stoneman Douglas
High) |
Mr. Rosen tought me to love and appreciate all
aspects of physics. After taking AP Physics, I realized that I
could not choose a career that didn't involve physics.
-- Mariana Garcia |
|
Mr. Curt Vasas
(Chemistry -- Knoch Senior High) |
Mr. Vasas was a truly inspiring teacher who put
forth 110% effort in his classroom everyday. He is one of the
main reasons why I love chemistry and chose to become a chemical
engineer. Science never used to be one of my strong points, but
his passion for the subject and especially for teaching his
students always shown through and helped me to love chemistry.
One of his mottos was that no matter what unfortunate things
happen to us it is up to each individual to decide what kind of
a day they are going to have. We don't have to have "bad days"
if we choose not to have them. It is all about having the
proper attitude. Mr. Vasas related to his students very well
and for these reasons I am nominating him.
-- Stephanie Geibel |
|
Mr. Kevin Willis
(Chemistry -- Carmichaels Area Jr/Sr High) |
He, by far, was the
most influential teacher that have had. He was my chemistry
teacher for two years. He had a huge impact on my choice of
major. I knew I wanted to be an engineer, but he made chemistry
interesting and fun, leading me towards Chemical Engineering. I
have also decided to minor in Education because of the pure joy
and enthusiasm he showed when teaching my class. He would give
us helpful advice on life, college, classes, and everything in
between. Each day, you would leave the room thinking "Wow!" and
have a completely new outlook on something. He was a teacher, a
friend, and a role model, and for that he deserves to be
recognized.
-- Joai Koratich |
|
Mr. George Zober
(Physics -- Yough High) |
Mr. Zober created such an energetic, fun learning
environment. He was a true inspiration, as he motivated the
entire class to success. Looking back at my high school
education, he was the only teacher that I remember who
emphasized teamwork, a concept that is very important for one's
future. After five years and many experiences, I still remember
every concept in physics that Mr. Zober taught me, and I still
use my high school physics notebooks! I just want to say Thank
You!
-- Danielle Zurovcik |
|
Mr. Ken Welsh
(Math Department Head -- Williamsport Area
High) |
Mr. Welsh had high
expectations - he never thought there was some problem that I
couldn't do. He would always make time to meet with his students
if we had questions. And he wouldn't just answer our questions,
either - only ask more questions back to me that made me think,
and I just hated that. But I was glad that he did that, forcing
me to think about the calculus. Mr. Welsh was very enthusiastic
about math and his enthusiasm was contagious. He made learning
boring old integrals fun and even "died" for the sake of math -
he concocted this elaborate story where he died and we, his
calculus students, had to figure out who killed him, all using
calculus, of course! He class quickly became one of my favorites
and he is one of the reasons that I'm minoring in math now.
-- Kristina Zaleski |
|
Mrs. Patricia
Fried
(Chemistry, Genetics & Biology --
Whitehall High) |
I'm nominating Mrs.
Fried because she has always believed in all of her students.
As a woman she has understood how hard it is to work in a male
driven field (in her case science). She also did so
independently, working to support herself in school. Mrs. Fried
gives practical advice and cares for her students beyond
academics. Her lessons don't just come from the book, but she
incorporates current events as well. She's a great role model
as a woman, a mother of three children, and as a scientist!
-- by Diana Maimone |
|
Mr. Frederick
Leuschner
(Chemistry -- Central Dauphin High) |
Mr. Leuschner always
made chemistry very fun and interesting. He helped me to decide
on majoring in chemical engineering during my senior year in
high school, and I'm glad I made that decision.
-- Erin Spangler |
|
Mrs. Patricia
Fallon
(Chemistry -- Penn Trafford High) |
Mrs. Fallon was one
of the best teachers I have ever had. She taught me chemistry
for two years and I was so well prepared for college that I have
yet to cover any new chemistry material and I am currently
enrolled in my second chemistry class here at Penn State. She
made learning a difficult subject fun and interesting. Mrs.
Fallon also took the time to write me several letters of
recommendation for college applications and scholarships. I
would like to thank her for all of her help and let her know
that she is a great role model!
-- Allison A. Reynolds |
|
Mr. Thomas Lake
(Physics -- Carrick High) |
When someone has a
love of something, it truly shows. Mr. Lake loved physics. To
this day, I couldn't tell you why, but the man just loved this
wacky science. I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite
and went into my first year of high school physics with one of
the worst attitudes ever. I didn't see the point in learning
about laws and rules that some old, dead people had already
created. What's the use? I never really appreciated the sheer
miracles and geniuses associated with the realm of physics...
that is, until I met Mr. Lake. He was so passionate about this
science that he made you want to like it to, even if it was
challenging and, at times, just plain hard. Lake (that's what
we called him) made you look at the big picture and the actual
lives of the physicists we studied and not just the laws they
derived. (Did you know Tycho Brahe didn't have a nose??) He
made the subject interesting, so interesting to some (including
myself) that we wanted to base our career on it. I am
nominating Mr. Lake for a WEP Award, not only for his passionate
and spectacular teaching of physics, but for sharing his love of
this science. Mr. Lake is an educator who not only taught me
the ways of physics, but also how to appreciate and use
education to its fullest extent. (Not to mention I got
wonderful grades in both Physics courses I took here at
University Park. They were cake, thanks to Lake.)
-- Rebecca Roell |
|
Mr.
Michael Choroneko
(Technology Education
-- Upper Darby High) |
Mr. Choroneko
really got me to stay interested in engineering. I had him
first for CADD, which I didn't especially want to be in because
I had tried to schedule Engineering Drafting and Design 1, which
was full already. I took CADD as an alternative, but I was not
very happy about it at first. Mr. C showed me that it could be
fun and helpful and that I should give things a try. I went on
to take Engineering Drafting and Design 1 and 2 with him, where
I learned a great deal about engineering design and teamwork.
It was with him that our class participated in the Boeing
Factory of the Future project at Boeing in Ridley, PA. That was
one of the best experiences of my life thus far, and Mr. C
really supported and encouraged me to do my best and never let
anyone get me down. What I learned most from him was to how to
be successful in school and in life - he taught us how to manage
our own time by giving us several assignments at once with
different due dates; he made us work by ourselves and also in
groups, and he encouraged us to help each other instead of
always going to him with our questions. He helped us become
individuals, but also helped us realize the importance of
networking and working together. He really inspired me to be
the best I could be and to also persevere in a field dominated
by men. He always especially encouraged his female students to
not be intimidated by the majority of men in engineering and
helped us realize that we could do just as well as any man. He
is also continually trying to recruit women into his engineering
and technology classes; and tries to encourage the counselors to
NOT discourage the female students from taking these classes
just because there are a lot more male students in them. He
will always hold a very special place in my heart, and that is
why I am nominating him for this award.
-- Rita Gladulich |
