PRESENTERS

Dr. Binger is an experienced educator, artist, and researcher with a focus in culture and raising cultural understanding. With a PhD in Global and Comparative studies in Education, MEd in Art Education with a cultural focus, and a BS in Art Education she is passionate about promoting inclusive and innovative educational practices in the classroom.

I am a learning support teacher at Susquenita High School. I teach LS English for the 11th and 12th grade students (I love teaching American and British Literature!). I have exerpience co-teaching in the regular education classroom with LS students, and I am also a cyber teacher for the Susquenita's Blackhawk Academy.

I am currently working on my 6th year of teaching. I started my career teaching Kindergarten at a private school in Camp Hill and am currently working on my third year of teaching second grade at Susquenita Elementary School. I enjoy teaching all subjects, but have a passion for teaching math. I am currently working on my last semester of my Master's Degree in Elementary Mathematics and have enjoyed implementing everything I have learned into creating math small groups.

Emily has been a teacher for 16 years. She is in her first year of building the K-6 STEM program in the Greenwood School District. Prior to taking on this role, she worked in the Susquenita School District as a K-4 Innovation Coach and K-12 Gifted Teacher. Emily has also taught third and fourth grades. She enjoys trying new innovative lessons and activities that will engage and empower her students.

Holly Brzycki is an education professional with 25+ years of experience as a teacher, principal, and supervisor in traditional and cyber programs. Currently, she is the Supervisor of Online Learning at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, where she oversees CAOLA, a consortium of online learning programs for over 135 schools, districts, and intermediate Units in Pennsylvania. Holly is also an Executive Director on the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance and Distance Learning Collaborative boards. She was awarded the DLAC 2023 Individual Excellence in Digital Learning Award.

I am a Life Skills teacher at Susquenita High School. I have taught Like Skills for the last three years. Before Life Skills, I taught LS English and Emotional Support. In addition, I have co-taught several different general education courses within the high school.

Mrs. Kristin Davis is the library media specialist at Susquenita Middle and High Schools. She taught social studies for 8 years before coming to Susquenita in 2016. She earned by Masters in Instructional Technology from Drexel in 2014. She loves learning and finding new ways to bring technology into the library!

Lauren is an educational consultant at the Capital Area Intermediate, focusing on secondary transition and inclusive practices.  Prior to her current position, she spent 11 years as a high school Life Skills Support teacher.  Lauren’s focus is supporting districts in addressing the needs of all learners.

Michaella Fickes is a Licensed Social Worker. She has been employed by the CAIU since 2019 as a School Social Worker. Before coming to SSD, Miss Fickes was a school social worker for the CAIU’s emotional support center-based school, Hill Top Academy. Prior to coming to the CAIU, she worked as an emergency room social worker at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, a therapist for the SPIN Program at Diakon Family Life Services and a therapist at Hoffman Homes, a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

I have been an educator for 16 years and began teaching business courses and careers to students in grades 3rd -12th. I spent 10 years teaching careers and STEM at the middle school level, where I initiated and developed a "Go To" Technology Team before transferring to an elementary school where I designed a makerspace lab for grades K-5.  In addition, I co-wrote the K-5 STEM curriculum and developed STEM projects from ground zero.  

Brian Jacobs has a degree in Kinesiology from Penn State University and has been a health and physical education teacher at Susquenita High School for 14 years. He carries a passion for creating fun and interesting lessons to engage his students in class and works hard with his department to develop activities that promote a lifetime of good heath and physical fitness.

After twenty-two years as a high school educator, Tim Heffernan founded the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow, a Franklin, Pennsylvania-based education 501c3 non-profit.  Since 2018, the Institute’s PA Rural Robotics Initiative has provided thousands of students sustainable, world-class STEM education experiences to prepare them for 21st century careers.  Tim has collaborated with ecosystem partners from postsecondary education, government, non-profits, business and industry, and workforce and economic development to create and deliver innovative student learning and teacher professional development opportunities across the commonwealth.  He was named the 2018 Innovative Teacher of the Year by the Pennsylvania School Board Association and currently serves as a Career Ready PA Coalition Statewide STEM Champion and a PA STEM Ambassador.

I grew up in NJ, went to Shippensburg for my undergrad. I then taught in Patterson NJ, in both third and fifth grades. Then I moved to PA and taught at Northern York for many years. I went back to school and got my Reading Specialist certification, then my Math Coaching endorsement. I taught math for many years, leading the math teams, writing curriculum, and teaching students and families to love math. Recently I came to Susquenita as the D&I and I am working with some new amazing teachers to support and improve instruction, assessment, and MTSS process. 

Lyndy LeVan has been a 6th grade teacher at Susquenita Middle School since 2007. She also serves as the district’s middle school Innovation Coach, working with educators to make exciting technology driven lessons and activities. 

Mrs. Aubrey Loht is a high school Health and Physical Education teacher with a passion for integrating technology into the learning process and coaching others to embrace innovative teaching methods to embrace teaching enriched by modern technology.

I am currently an Instructional Technology Specialist with The Waynesboro Area School District. Prior to taking on this role I was in the classroom for 10 years, charged with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I have been a Teacher of the Year Nominee for WCPS as well as a Maryland Society for Educational Technology(MSET) Outstanding Educator Nominee. I have had the honor of presenting at the IU13 Elementary Tech Conference for the past seven years, as well as MSET Common Ground in 2019, 2022, and 2024. I have also presented ISTE Live in 2023. 

Caren Mann has worked as a high school, middle and elementary school counselor for over 15 years. She is currently an elementary school counselor at Susquenita Elementary School and earned her counseling certificates from the University of Scranton and Eastern University and is a nationally certified counselor. She has been involved in C4C (Counselors for Computing) for the last 3 years. Some of her other professional endeavors have included work in diversity, English as a second language, and trauma informed practices. A professional highlight for her was organizing a yearly 8th grade career day event bringing in guest speakers to assist with college and career readiness. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children and traveling. 

Jerry Mitchell is an Outreach Specialist with Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Jerry has been working in state government for 18 years, specializing in computer application development, cyber-crimes and fraud. In 1998, Jerry started his career with the Department of the Auditor General in the Office of Management Information Systems. Jerry’s work involved training more than 800 employees statewide on the latest application software and system protocols. Jerry lectured department employees on internet safety protocols and how to prevent identity thieves from stealing or cloning a person’s identity and personal devices. Jerry attended Harrisburg Area Community College and received his Trainer’s Certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.

Technology Teacher at East Juniata Junior/Senior High School. Originally from Texas with 20 years in education. Presented at TCEA, TCEA Tots & Tech, ISTE, and EdCamps. Magic School AI Certified Trainer.

Derek Mueller serves as the Cyber Security Advisor, Cyber State Coordinator for Pennsylvania at the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), where he leads the effort to protect and advance the resilience of the nation's cyber infrastructure within the critical infrastructure while working with federal, state, local, and other stakeholders to maximize collaboration and minimize risk on matters of homeland security or emergency management.

Erin Murphy is co-author of Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. How to Unpack PBL and Inquiry and Hacking Project Based Learning: 10 Easy Steps to PBL and Inquiry in the Classroom, and she regularly consults with other leaders and learners regarding literacy, learning, and leadership. 

Erin earned her Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University with a research focus on adult learning. She is a proud graduate of Penn State University’s Professional Development School, where she was trained in inquiry-based instructional approaches. Erin spent four years as a middle school assistant principal and has classroom experiences ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade. 

Currently, she has the pleasure of serving as the Supervisor of Teaching & Learning in the East Penn School District. Erin, her husband, and her two daughters reside in Pennsylvania, and the family enjoys spending time gardening, hiking, and kayaking.

Lindsey Peterson has been a French and Spanish teacher at Greenwood High School since 2010. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Education from Dickinson College and a master’s degree in the Teaching of Languages with a focus on Spanish through the University of Mississippi. Additionally, she earned French credits through Penn State and Rutgers. Currently, she lives in Duncannon with her husband and two children.

Judd R. Pittman is a champion for policies, practices and programs that help learners enter careers that enable them to attain a family thriving wage. Judd spent 8 years as a middle school science teacher in Harrisburg City School District and spent 7 years serving on the Harrisburg City School District and Dauphin County Technical School Boards of Directors. He has served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an educational consultant at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), as the Special Consultant to the Secretary of Education for STEM and as the Director of K -16 Initiatives at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He now serves as the Director for the Bureau of Career and Technical Education. In addition, Judd serves as the Chair for the International STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice (SLECOP).

Terrance Shepler is a history teacher at Susquenita High School, where he teaches Civics and Government, AP US History, and PA History. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator. He holds a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Wilson College, and a Master’s in Educational Development from Wilkes University, which has helped him to integrate technology seamlessly into his teaching practice. Terrance has spoken at numerous local and regional conferences as well as MACPL, PETE&C, and ISTE, where he has shared his expertise in educational technology and innovative teaching strategies. Terrance derives immense joy from using technology to breathe life into his lessons and ignite a passion for history in his students. He is deeply committed to sharing his knowledge and ideas with fellow educators. He firmly believes that the power of creativity transcends all subjects, grade levels, and learning styles, and is dedicated to fostering this spirit of innovation and originality in his teaching practice.

Jesse Snyder has been working as a Susquenita High School Physical Education and Health Teacher for 16 years. He also graduated from Lock Haven University. He has worked directly with Aubrey Loht and Brian Jacobs for four years. Jesse has a passion for inspiring physical fitness and wellness. He enjoys finding new and creative ways to live a healthy lifestyle. He is excited to work with the LIFTED program this summer!

Theresa Stevens has taught many grades in elementary and middle school for 31 years. She is currently a 5th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher at Susquenita Middle School.

Marci Walborn, OTR/L, ATP has a BS in Occupational Therapy.  She started her career in UCP’s Assistive Technology program in 1999 however through the years has worked in a variety of different areas including early intervention and nursing home/rehabilitation.  She was an Early Intervention OT for sixteen years before transitioning into a supervisory role.  She currently oversees the Early Intervention, Family Support, Assistive Technology, and AgrAbilityPA programs at UCP Central PA.  Throughout her career, she has been implementing the use of Assistive Technology and adaptations to help individuals achieve their goals in all aspects of their lives.  She completed her Assistive Technology Practioner (ATP) certification through RESNA to better serve the needs of individuals around seating and mobility, communication, and environmental access using adaptive technology. 

Rebecca has been an educator for more than 10 years. She has taught in urban and rural education settings. Rebecca taught 4th, 5th, & 6th Grade and her passion is Reading & Writing. She has her Master's Degree in Literacy Education with a Reading Specialist Certification. Currently she is an Assistant Principal at Susquenita Elementary School.

Kathryn Wilson has been teaching 5th grade math and science at Susquenita since 2017. In the summer of 2023, she completed her Apple Learning Coach certification.