Spotlights

Students of the Month-8th Grade

Rubi Guaman Yadaicela-Purple Team

Rubi is a model student. In the classroom she is organized, always participating, and is always willing to help those around her. She is a reliable and dedicated to her schooling in all of her classes. We often see Rubi leading her peers and wanting for their success as well as her own. She is a consistent bright spot in the classroom for all of her teachers!

Jasmine Baker-Blue Team

As a multi-sport student-athlete of CD East Middle, Jasmine Baker excels at all tasks she attempts! Jasmine is an excellent model of social interactions with peers and adults always exhibiting the values of EMS. She reaches for excellence in her academics and pushes herself further with each new topic learned. Overall, Jasmine is everything a teacher wants in a student.

Reece Smith-Silver Team

Reece is always following the school expectations throughout the school. He’s always very polite and respectful to anyone he crosses paths with. Reece is always willing to help others out and creates such a welcoming space for everyone.

Students of the Month-7th Grade

Domenic Baker-Gold Team

Domenic is a very hard-working student. He asks thought provoking questions and is always wanting to learn more. He is friendly and respectful to everyone. Domenic is an accomplished student in orchestra and is exemplary in all his other classes.

Roheeka Subba-Red Team

Congratulations to Roheeka, our Red Team Student of the Month, for consistently embodying our school's EMS expectations. Her positive attitude and dedication to schoolwork, coupled with respectful interactions with teachers and peers, deserve recognition. Well done!

Students of the Month-6th Grade

Xochi Miller-Aqua Team

Xochi has demonstrated that she is a unique and enthusiastic participant in classroom discussions and activities. She stands out as an avid reader, a natural leader, and someone who is always happy to lend a helping hand to peers. She is considerate, kind, and consistently thinks outside the box, making her a valuable asset to class discussions. Her cooperative nature and ability to share creative ideas have positively impacted out Language Arts class.

Aubrielle Turner -Orange Team

Aubrielle is a wonderful student who works well with others, works exceptionally hard in her academic path, is kind and displays excellent character.

Staff Spotlights

Ms. Young

What made you want to work at EMS?

I was looking for an administrative job when coming back to the Harrisburg area from Charlotte, North Carolina. I spent a year as a math teacher at Swatara Middle School, and loved the school district. When EMS had an opening for an administrator, I quickly filled out my application, and love being a part of the EMS family.

2. How long have you been working at EMS?

I have been at EMS since March of 2022!

3. What is your role at EMS?

Principal

4. What is the highest degree you have in education? Where did you go to college?

I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Shippensburg University, then got a Master’s Degree from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

5. What is your favorite sports team?

E-A-G-L-E-S!!

6. What do you do on the weekends to relax?

Watch Netflix

7. What is your favorite thing about EMS?

The family…both the staff and the students!

Ms. Gibney

What made you want to work at EMS?

Nursing goes well beyond applying a Band-Aid or administering medication when our patients are sick. A larger part of nursing is teaching our population how to be proactive in their care and to value their health. What better place to do that than at EMS!

2. How long have you been working at EMS?

I have been working at EMS since August 2022.

3. What is your role at EMS?

I am the school nurse at EMS.

4. What is the highest degree you have in education Where did you go to college?

I graduated Ocean County college in New Jersey, 2008 with my associate degree in nursing. My BSN was completed at Penn State with a certificate in Forensics, 2020. I am currently completing my certificate for Certified School Nursing and a master’s degree in education at Eastern University.

5. What is your favorite sports team?

Team “Gibney!!” Life is a sport, and we all need a coach and cheerleaders. For me that is my Husband and our busy home. There is little time to enjoy any mainstream sports between our four dogs, three cats, 4 chickens and encouraging our son to be his best. When there is extra time, it is time well spent in the garden!

6. What do you do on the weekends to relax?

Relax? I usually work my weekends at Hershey Park First Aid. In between the craziness of life, you can always find me in the garden with my four-legged children. Who knew dogs like to eat green beans right off the vine! Sometimes I even race them to the tomatoes, to save the tomatoes of course! Coffee and a used bookstore take second place. You can travel anywhere in a good bookstore.

7. What is your favorite thing about EMS?

My favorite thing about EMS is the students! I enjoy connecting and laughing with the students.

Teachers of the Month-8th Grade

Miss Fisher-Purple Team

What subject do you teach? Was that your favorite subject in school? I teach 8th grade English Language Arts. It has always been my favorite subject in school! I have always been an avid reader and have always enjoyed writing.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? My favorite thing about EMS is building relationships with my students that make learning fun!
Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? I graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Mid-level English Education from Elizabethtown College. I then received my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in 2023 also from Elizabethtown College. I am currently working on my Doctorate degree at Gwynedd Mercy University in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Mr. Clark-Blue Team

What subject do you teach? Was that your favorite subject in school? 8th Grade Science – Physics/Astronomy
What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? When students ask questions and are truly interested in more than what I am teaching!
Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? Lebanon Valley College ’12 Bachelors in Elementary Education

Teachers of the Month-7th Grade

Ms. Barone-Gold Team

What subject do you teach? Was that your favorite subject in school? Grade 7 Math and Pre-Algebra/Favorite subject in school was math class
What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? My favorite thing about teaching at EMS is being on a team with other super teachers.
Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? Fairmont University/Cabrini College: Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Math Education, Grades 7-12 and a Master's in Education.

Mr. Grubb-Red Team

What subject do you teach? I teach 7th grade math.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? The greatest thing is working every day with the other staff members.
Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? My undergrad is from Shippensburg, while my masters is from Temple.

Teachers of the Month-6th Grade

Mrs. Byers-Aqua Team

1.What subject do you teach? The subject that I teach is ELA grade six which includes, reading, writing, and English.

2. Was that your favorite subject in school? All components of ELA were not my favorite subjects in school. Each subject was broken down separately! English and diagraming sentences was my absolute favorite and mathematics was my favorite subject overall!

3. What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? My favorite thing about teaching at EMS is, well, of course the students! I love the diverse population, connecting with students personally and assisting the academically.

4. Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? I attended Penn State University and received my master’s degree from Wilkes University and hold 45 additional credits from the University of La Verne.

Mrs. Hollenbach-Orange Team

1.What subject do you teach? Was that your favorite subject in school? Greetings! My name is Mrs. Hollenbach and I am the Orange Team's 6th grade Social Studies teacher here at East Middle School. Throughout school I was always drawn to History. I loved reading historic fiction and watching films based on historic events. I knew I wanted to be a Social Studies teacher from the time I was in 3rd grade and did everything I needed to do to make that dream a reality.

2. What is your favorite thing about teaching at EMS? I love teaching at East Middle School. I actually grew up in the district. I attended Tri-Community Elementary, Swatara Middle and East High School. I have taught for 10 years and this school holds a special place in my heart. I love the diversity in our school. Regardless of the things that make us different, we are a community!

3. Where did you go to college/what degrees do you hold? I earned my bachelor's degree in teaching from Penn State University. I then earned my master's degree in instructional technology from Grand Canyon University.

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