The Jasper Learning Initiative Team
Briana Luancing, Global Science InquiryMy name is Briana Luancing. I currently teach students Honors Biology and Global Science Inquiry, as well as Environmental Science in past years. I have a Bachelor's in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology from Kutztown University and a Master's in Education from LaSalle University. I am thrilled to be a part of the Jasper Initiative to empower students by facilitating their learning through meaningful and creative inquiry-driven projects based on what they are passionate about. I'm excited to create a community within EHS where students develop strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills while making lasting connections with the Emmaus community as a whole.
|
Mike Carolla, American Studies 1My name is Mike Carolla. I am a family man, coach, outdoorsman, and American Studies teacher. I received a B.A. in History and M.S. Ed. in Counselor Education from St. Bonaventure University. The Jasper Institute is a unique opportunity to build close bonds with students while truly preparing them for life in an ever-changing work environment.
|
Sam McFarland, 9th Grade EnglishMy name is Samantha McFarland; I teach 9th grade GP, CP, and Honors English at the high school. I attended Slippery Rock University where I earned my teaching degree in Secondary English Education. In my free time, I like to play with my one-year-old daughter, go on walks and hikes with my dog, and read. I love the outdoors, too: swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing, and biking are some of my favorite things to do with my family. I am excited to join the Jasper Learning Experience because it is important for students to have a variety of challenging, innovative opportunities to grow as learners and to develop their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
|
Shelby Ramirez, English 11Learning is the language of life. Throughout my seven years as an educator, I've learned to constantly seek and try to answer the questions "how & why?" The pursuit of how and why makes me a better educator and facilitator for my students. I'm excited to bring my varied teaching experiences to the students at East Penn. When I'm not enveloped in the teaching world, I can be found watching basketball, reading a great book or movie, playing computer games, spending time with John, drinking coffee, eating sushi, or watching YouTube to learn how to fix something that's broken. Life is about learning, and I'm excited to learn with the students of East Penn.
|
Jon Zolomij, World StudiesMy name is Jonathan Zolomij and I teach World Studies at Emmaus High School. I earned my Bachelor's degree at the University of Pittsburgh and my Master's degree at Lehigh University. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and going on outdoor adventures with my wife and two young sons. I am excited to join the Jasper Learning Initiative because I believe students become best prepared for a dynamic world by spending time in a dynamic world; I aim to get students out into the community and surround them with culture, art, and food as often as possible.
|
Jasper Learning Initiative Administration
Mike Mihalik, Jasper AdministratorI currently serve as the Secondary STEM Supervisor in the East Penn School District. Prior to that, I spent 14 years teaching at Emmaus High School. Every year since 2007, I have organized field trips for EHS students to go national parks. We have had hundreds of students visit parks throughout our country and my experiences in Free-Choice Learning gave me validation that the experiences students were having outside of the classroom in the national parks had tremendous impacts on their futures. Since I have seen firsthand how beneficial it can be to provide students opportunities to learn outside the classroom, I am really excited to be part of Jasper. I also have been a big part of our Student Government charitable work and think that this program is going to be a great thing for the entire community.
|