Field Experience Supervisors

Karen Andre has 30 years of experience working with students and families from historically underserved communities.

Prior to retirement, she was a teacher, learning disability teacher-consultant, principal, and director of child study teams. She converted a special education preschool to one with increasingly inclusive practices and grant-funded tuition. Karen loves PreK-3 grades because they build strong foundations for future success and lifelong learning. She enjoys being a grandma, being with family, gardening, kayaking, and biking.

Dr. Rebecca Blahus has worked in the education arena for more than 35 years. She has been a classroom teacher, consultant, assistant professor, and Early Childhood Advisor at PDE.

She retired as the Literacy Supervisor at Tuscarora School District and enjoys providing professional development for teachers on many topics. 

Dr. Blahus has done research on the imperative role of the cooperating or mentor teacher.  She has served as a cooperating teacher and supervisor for almost 100 students.  She lives in Gettysburg and enjoys traveling, crafting and reading.

George Bradshaw taught for 35 years in the Dover Area School District, where he served as the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson.

A Messiah graduate, Dianne holds a Master’s in Reading Instruction from Pennsylvania State University. Her 30+ year teaching experience spans the globe, from teaching in Israel and Zimbabwe, to locally in Mechanicsburg and Etters.

As a first grade teacher in West Shore School District, Dianne taught in a co-teaching classroom and served as a resource and advocate for the co-teaching model. She recently retired as a classroom teacher and enjoys going to the gym, reading and traveling internationally with her husband Dale. She has three grown children and welcomed her first grandchild in May 2024!

Patricia Colón is a Messiah graduate with experience teaching at the middle school and high school level in both urban and suburban schools.

Patty earned her Masters in Education in curriculum and instruction from Messiah and teaches mathematics courses at Messiah. Patricia is a first generation Egyptian American who is married to a first generation Puerto Rican. She enjoys spending time with her large family where there is never a dull moment!

Dr. Janet DeRosa holds a master’s and doctorate in education. Her professional interests are in co-teaching strategies in the K-12 classroom.

Since 1999, Janet has been engaged in teaching best practices in teacher education at Messiah University as a university supervisor at the undergraduate and graduate level and adjunct instructor in the Messiah University Graduate Program in Education.

Roxanne Dixon has more than 25 years of experience as a public and private school teacher across three states, including 19 years in the Camp Hill School District where she taught elementary music and served as K-12 fine arts department chair. She holds an MA from the University of St. Thomas (MN).

At Messiah, Roxanne teaches undergraduate and graduate music education and interdisciplinary courses and supervises education field experience. She also teaches preschool-Grade 8 music at the Londonderry School in Harrisburg.

Roxanne is an active writer and editor, and currently serves on the editorial board of The Orff Echo, a music and movement education journal.  She loves to garden, create art quilts, bike, and spend time with her husband, Tim, and their two teenage children.

Dr. Kimberly Donahue has devoted 35 years to public education serving as an elementary and middle level principal, Director of Curriculum, and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. Currently, she is supervising student teachers and teaching at both Messiah and Immaculata Universities.

Kim has developed a passion for continuous school improvement keeping in mind, “Schools must continue to change classrooms to meet the needs of students, rather than trying to change students to meet the needs of classrooms.”

Cindy Ebner has 20 years of teaching in the Health and Physical Education field both in private and public school settings. She recently retired from Northern York County School District.

Cindy has a passion for Health Education and mentoring youth. She loves being a grandma, gardening, biking, swimming and skiing.

Dr. Daniel Felix has worked in education for over 50 years as a teacher and an elementary principal.

Dan served as a Safe and Drug Free School Advisor and a team leader for Charter Schools at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He taught at Shippensburg University and Elizabethtown College before coming to Messiah. Among his notable achievements: playing on a state championship 35 and older softball team; self- publishing a book; and being the proud grandfather of a Messiah University student.

In his 37 years in public education, John Gallagher has been a math teacher, assistant high school principal, high school principal, and middle school principal.

John retired as principal of Eagle View Middle School in the Cumberland Valley School District in July 2024.He graduated with a BA in Math with Computer Science Concentration from Shippensburg University.  He followed that degree with his teacher certification, as well as his Masters in Educational Administration from Shippensburg University.

In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with the family and attending sport events.  In the fall, John can be found making trips to South Bend and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish!

Dr. Bev Goodling served as a classroom teacher for PreK and elementary grades and recently retired after 20 years of teaching as an adjunct instructor for the Education and HDFS departments at Messiah.

A former director of a NAEYC accredited childcare center,she continues to provide professional development to local early care and education professionals. Bev is passionate about promoting best practices in early childhood education, especially in the areas of language development and nature-based learning. In her free time, Bev enjoys traveling to interesting places, spending time with friends and family, biking and flower gardening.

Caitlin Gump is the Director of Special Education at Eastern York School District.

Caitlin began her teaching career as a 4th and 5th grade special education long term substitute in the Crestwood School District in Mountain Top, PA. She taught elementary learning support in Susquehanna Township  and South Middleton school districts. She has a dual Bachelor's in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University and a Master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State University. She also holds her principal's certificate.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and baking. She lives in Enola with her husband, Zach, daughter and 2 dogs.

Stacey Hansen taught elementary special education classes for 24 years in rural New York, as well as serving as literacy coach, mentor, and department chair.

Stacey has worked with a variety of learners with different learning styles. She loved building relationships with students, seeing them find their own interests in learning, and being an advocate for them beyond the classroom. Her passion for helping others grow led her to enroll in Messiah University and transition into a mental health therapy career.

Tonya Husic is a retired classroom teacher, Reading Specialist, and elementary Principal.

She has retired after 40 years in education. She has taught overseas, and various locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Her last assignment was with the Harrisburg School District. She was an adjunct instructor of 21 years at Harrisburg Area Community College teaching Developmental Reading in the English Department. 

Deborah holds a B.S. in Physical Oceanography and Dynamic Meteorology from SUNY Maritime College; an MAED in Teacher Leadership and Curriculum from Ashford University, and an EdD in Teaching and Curriculum from Northcentral University.

Deborah is the co-founder of Girls Rock STEM, an educational program for underrepresented female middle school students in the STEM fields. She was named to the inaugural class of Master Teachers by the State of New York, is the recipient of the 2009 Science Teachers Association of New York (STANYS-SE) Earth Science Teacher of the Year, a 2015 finalist for New York State Teacher-of-the-Year. Deborah is a Regeneron STEM Teaching Fellow, National Geographic Certified Educator and has received multiple research grants from the National Science Foundation, the College Board, the American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences, the National Urban Alliance, and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. She has been an adjunct member of the Bard College MAT Faculty and Citizen Science Program since 2015, as well as being an adjunct in the MAT Program at Marist College and Empire State University where she is a Clinical Supervisor. Deborah is a member of the SUNY Maritime College Council.

Kristen LaBuda was a classroom teacher in Pre-K-3rd grade for over 20 years, including online teaching. She has also supervised summer camps through the districts where she has taught - Cumberland Valley and South Middleton.

Kristen earned her B.A. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Wilkes University with a Master's in Reading from Shippensburg University.  She is a children's book author of The Good Sports Club and ran many assemblies throughout PA sharing her books with students across the elementary school levels. 

She enjoys hiking with her family and crafting with the cricut.

Richard Miller taught high school Special Education at Susquenita, East Pennsboro, Camp Hill Prison and Susquehanna Township. He served as an assistant principal, principal, Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent, and Acting Superintendent at various school districts in the region.

Since retirement, Dick has been working with student teachers, Drug Free PA, and doing consulting work for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He likes cars, sports, and computers and has 4 children and 13 grandchildren.

Linda Huber Mininger has taught for 24 years in a variety of settings including middle school and community college. She has taught reading, writing, mathematics, and physical science and recently completed a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Her specific interests include language acquisition, literacy acquisition, and learning theory.  Her undergraduate degree is in Math/Chemistry Secondary Education, and her graduate degree is in Reading Education. Kind of a math nerd, she has always enjoyed interpreting and analyzing data. Leadership positions included Reading Discipline Coordinator as well as Developmental Education Coordinator at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. She loves talking about education and understanding how to better help students.

Chris Mostoller currently serves as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment at Middletown Area School District.

Chris began her teaching career as an elementary teacher in Derry Township School District, and transitioned to Middletown Area School District, where she worked as a middle school reading teacher, Assistant Principal at the middle and high school.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University, a Master’s Degree in Reading and Language Arts from Millersville University, a Reading Specialist Certificate, and completed a K-12 Principal’s Certification Program at the Pennsylvania State University.

Chris resides in Hummelstown with her husband, and is the mother of two grown daughters.  She enjoys cooking/baking, reading, and spending time at the beach with her family. 

Susan Ososki served 35 years as an educator in the Central Dauphin School District. Starting her career as an elementary teacher, She also was a middle school reading specialist, assistant principal, and then retired as an elementary principal.

In every position she enjoyed making connections with students, supporting families, and collaborating with staff.

She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and staying active with friends playing pickleball and reading with her book club.

David Rohrer taught instrumental music and music theory in public schools, while serving as Band Director and Music Department Chairman.

Dave has been an adjunct instructor in Messiah’s Music Department since 2012, supervising junior field students, student teachers, and teaching the Brass Methods course. Mr. Rohrer has served as PMEA District 7 President. He is presently the District 7 Retired Member Chairman and Music Director of the Carlisle Town Band and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in December 2020. 

Paula began and ended her teaching career at Mechanicsburg Area School District. She has additional experience in educational administration as building principal, district elementary principal, and assistant superintendent.

Paula recently retired after 32 years. She lives in Dillsburg with her husband and two children: Grace, a junior at Lock Haven University and Braedon, a freshman at Huntington University. 

Paula loves baking and reading. She also enjoys her time with “Dugan,” an elementary school facility dog from United Disability Services (UDS).

Les Smith, a New York State Master Teacher, has over 20 years experience teaching science and driver education to middle and high school students.

Les earned his BS in Earth Science and Meteorology from California University of PA and his MS in Education and Human Development Adolescence Science from State University of New York College at Brockport.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, biking, and disc golf.

Dr. Rebecca Speelman has been blessed with over 25 years as an educator, including time spent in the K-12 setting as a teacher, junior high and varsity athletic coach, class advisor, district office leader, as well as experience in post-secondary settings as a professor of teacher education, student education advisor, coordinator of middle level and secondary education programs, and academic leader.

She is also a published author, national presenter, and consultant.

Dr. Maggie Stolar has extensive background teaching physically, emotionally, and intellectually disabled students.

Maggie also taught English Language Learner college students, as well as pre-school children in a Christian setting. She spent much of her earlier career advocating for laws and legislation for the educational, social, and human rights of the disabled population, including working for the PA Dept. of Education. She loves spending time with her family and friends. She is a true beach bum.

After 35 years in public education, Jeanne Temple is currently teaching at Messiah University at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

While supervising all levels of pre-service teachers, she teaches Introduction to Special Education, Capstone Project and Transition and Secondary Education. Professional experience includes special education teacher, instructional support teacher, Supervisor of Special Education, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Assistant Superintendent in local school districts. Through her tenure as an educator, Jeanne has been particularity interested in Teacher Supervision, Instructional Strategies, Special Education, and Curriculum Design.

A 37-year veteran of the teaching profession, Susan Van Zile has served as a classroom teacher, adjunct professor, author, and presenter.

Susan's specific interests include language arts and project-based learning. She earned her undergraduate degree in English Education from the University of Virginia, and her graduate degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Pennsylvania State University. 

Susan loves spending time with her two grandchildren, tutoring ESL students, volunteering, and participating in two book clubs as well as a writers' group. She is an avid UVA basketball fan and enjoys walking four miles a day.

TEP Supervisor

I have been in education for over 30 years serving as a teacher, building principal and most recently as an assistant superintendent. I began my career in Irvine, California as a teacher and recently retired from the West Shore School District as the assistant superintendent. I now serve as an adjunct professor for Messiah University in the education department and Wilson College at the graduate level. In addition, I am involved with the local library, supporting the wonderful programming for the community.

I was fortunate to be able to work in the areas of supervision, instruction and assessment, instructional technology, professional development, writing curriculum and supporting new professional staff and mentors.

Education:
B.A. Psychology University of California, Irvine
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction Penn State University
Ed.D. Educational Leadership Immaculata University

Deborah Wickwire began her Messiah experience in January 2015 after retiring from Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 as a Supervisor and Staff Developer with 35 years of experience.

She has supervised various levels of undergraduate juniors and senior teacher candidates, as well as having taught courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Deb lives in Camp Hill with husband Pete and enjoys babysitting her two young grandsons and baby granddaughter.

Dr. Glenn Zehner's long career in education included roles as teacher, elementary principal, curriculum/federal programs administrator, superintendent, and intermediate unit executive director.

He has worked at a non-profit drug and alcohol agency, Messiah Lifeway’s Pathways Institute, and Pennsylvania Department of Education,as a leader of a team of school improvement specialists. Glenn supervises student teachers at Messiah University and Lebanon Valley College. During the past year, Dr. Zehner completed a family novel and attained his goal of visiting all 50 states with his wife.