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Teacher Appreciation Week: Mr. Terry “TA” Lorah

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As part of this year's Teacher Appreciation Week, we're excited and proud to highlight the longest-serving teachers at Exeter. Mr. Terry Lorah--or "TA" as most everyone knows him--has taught at Exeter since 1984, currently serving as the Senior High's metal and electronics teacher. Although he didn't initially plan to become a teacher, his nearly 40-year career as a teacher in Exeter has left a lasting impact on students and the district that's legacy-worthy as one of the founders of Exeter's esteemed STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program. Moreover, Senior High Principal Mr. Tom Campbell describes TA as just one of those teachers that is immensely likable to everyone. "TA comes to work each day with joy and excitement. He connects to students throughout the district with his involvement in clubs, music, art--or helping kids who might need something built or fixed. His ability to connect with kids and get them excited is truly inspirational as a teacher."

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher? 
A: I started college without any idea what I wanted to do with my life. PSU insisted on choosing a major so I became a music major. That course of study lasted less than a year. So I changed my major to Industrial Arts Education as I really enjoyed my shop classes in HS. Mind, I still did not necessarily plan on being a teacher.

Q: Did you ever do anything other than teaching? If so, what?
A: I was fortunate to secure a job with Bechtel Corp. as an electrical engineer at the Limerick Generating Station working primarily with all electrical outside commodities and the Radwaste Building. I worked there for three years and absolutely loved that position.

Q: If you wouldn’t have been a teacher, what other career would you have pursued?
A: I enjoy motorsports and most likely would have pursued a position as a welder/fabricator with a team.

Q: Can you tell us where you’ve taught, what you’ve taught and for how long?
A: Exeter is the only school district that has employed me. I started teaching Power Tech half a day at the High School and then Junior High Woodshop the other half. I developed one of the first STEM-based classes at Exeter way before STEM was a thing. It was a hands-on science course co-taught by me and a science teacher. I also developed the RS&M (residential systems and maintenance) class and taught that for a while. When we were transitioning to a Project Lead the Way model, I was part of the 9th grade rotation team teaching a wide range of subjects. Metal Lab and Electricity classes are my focus now. I had many jobs and they all were good. I worked full time on a farm between 7th and 8th grade. A short stint at the Mt Penn Mickey Ds. The Columbian Cutlery Co hired me to run gigantic presses and do welding repair work. Powell Engineering hired me as a truck driver and roller operator constructing roads. I repaired and inspected cars part time during college at a used car establishment. All these jobs were important as they gave me insight on what I did not want to do the rest of my life.

Q: What do you love most about teaching?
A: The students keep you young. I get great enjoyment watching someone build something from nothing and be very proud of it. My colleagues in the High School Tech Ed Department are all a team and it is great to work with them daily.

Q: What was your favorite grade or subject when you were a student?
A: I really enjoyed being in band and orchestra. My materials classes in high school were fun and I was really good at them. Other than my father, I learned more from my metal shop teacher (Mr. Tuckey) than any college class.

Q: What’s a moment you’ll never forget from teaching?
A: There was no specific moment, but I absolutely loved working with the lovely Micky Potlunas (now Mrs. Fergusen, who teaches/directs the band at Penn State) with marching band. We had lots of fun.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned from your students that you’ll never forget?
A: Computers and overall tech gadgets often fluster me and I can always count on a student to roll their eyes at me and say, "Let me show you."

Q: What’s the best thing about teaching in Exeter?
A: I live less than 10 minutes from school...very short commute even when missing many traffic lights. Exeter's school board and administrators have always been supportive of our tech programs, and now with our engineering based classes. I grew up in Exeter and it is nice having students of former students.

Q: Did you graduate from Exeter or have kids who went through Exeter?
A: Exeter is my alma mater--Class of '77.

Q: What have you learned about the profession since becoming a teacher?
A: Exeter is a very nice district but still many students arrive at school with tons of baggage, hungry, or have a questionable home life. It is great when we can identify individuals with issues and help to correct them.

Q: What teaching accomplishment fills you with pride?
A: It is always nice to run into Exeter grads and they tell you, "Thanks, I am the foreman on a construction crew," or "Thanks, I rewired my basement," or "Thanks, I am building shocks at Penske," etc. Success stories are always wonderful.

Q: What’s one skill that you hope all students learn from you?
A: I hope students learn three skills: Patience, accuracy, and perseverance.

Owatin Creek’s Eco Club Creates Upcycled Chandelier

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Several of the students and the teachers who worked on the chandelier show off their finished work before it was hoisted up to be hung in Owatin Creek's cupola.  

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If you're heading to the Owatin Creek Art Show this Friday from 5:30 to 7:30PM, please take a moment and look up at the cupola skylight to see a colorful chandelier created by students in OC's after-school Eco Club. Mrs. Britta Hyneman, Owatin Creek's art teacher, said that the project was inspired by glass artist Dale Chihuly, and began with students collecting used plastic water bottles that students turned into beautiful pieces of glass-inspired art when they colored the bottles with Sharpie markers and cut them into spirals. The bottles were then mounted onto a wire frame and hung from the school's cupola earlier this week.
 
"Students are so excited about this project," said Mrs. Hyneman, who received help from Owatin Creek teacher (and Lorane paraprofessional) Mrs. Stephanie Van Sickle, who helps her run the after-school club. "We had more than 35 students participate in this project who learned that we can take ordinary objects that we often throw away and turn them into an unexpected, unique piece of art. I'm so proud of their dedication to this project--they collected and prepared more than 600 water bottles for this chandelier!"
 
Owatin Creek's Eco Club is a free after-school club that meets to teach students ways in which they can help help preserve and protect the earth. Each meeting features an upcycled art project. The club is organized by parent volunteer, Mrs. Van Sickle, and OC teachers, Mrs. Hyneman and Ms. Kristen McBride.

Students Selected to Participate in Big 33 Football Classic

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We are thrilled to announce that Alana Campbell and Anthony Caccese were invited to participate in the PSFCA Big 33 66th Annual Football Classic at 7PM on May 28th in Harrisburg. According to the PSFCA, the Big 33 Football Classic is considered the "Super Bowl of High School Football," and represents a selection of the best cheerleaders and football players from around the state. Many of the players who have participated in this game are recruited by Division I colleges and universities and include notable former NFL players such as Kyle Brady, John Cappelletti, Kerry Collins, Sean Gilbert, Marvin Harrison, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Ricky Watters, Ed McCaffrey, Larry Johnson and Steve Slaton, just to name a few.
 
Alana, a senior, plans to continue cheerleading at Eastern University and Anthony, also a senior, plans to continue football at the University of Delaware. A Fan Fest will be open before the game on May 28th from 3:30PM to 6:30PM at Rocco Ortenzio Stadium in Harrisburg with food trucks, inflatables, music, activities and more. Kick off for the game will follow at 7PM. To purchase tickets for the game or for more information, please visit https://big33.org
 
Congratulations on this BIG achievement, Alana and Anthony! We're thrilled for both of you! 

Exeter Team Named Grand Champion in State STEM Competition

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From left: Leahnessa Ortiz, Zak Kauffman, Hansika Kunduru, Peyton Seamans and Olivia Maldonado. Below: Images from the team's prototype test at Blue Marsh Lake.

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A group of some of the brightest STEM students at Exeter won the distinct honor of presenting their design and working prototype of a remotely-operating water-sampling vehicle in the ninth annual Pennsylvania Governor’s STEM Competition--a statewide competition that challenges student teams from across the state to research, design and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians by accomplishing a series of practical tasks that can fulfill real-world needs. Out of more than 60 entries from across the state, Exeter's team was named a Grand Champion, placing among the top teams in the state.

Exeter's team, who was selected and advised by Mr. Zachary Potter, consisted of Leahnessa Ortiz, Zak Kauffman, Hansika Kunduru, Peyton Seamans and Olivia Maldonado, who worked with Army Corps of Engineers representatives from Blue Marsh Lake to design and create a prototype meant to be used as part of Blue Marsh's harmful algae bloom (HABs) management program. "The device the team designed allows park rangers at Blue Marsh to conduct water sampling at the swim beach and other areas of the lake without having to enter the water and potentially come in contact with harmful cyanotoxins produced by the harmful algae bloom. In the summer, this sampling is required multiple times each week, and currently requires park rangers to wade into water chest deep to take samples," said Mr. Potter.

In the 10 years Mr. Potter's been advising the Governor's STEM team, this is the first year that one of his teams has qualified for the state-level championship. Additionally, he said, it's the first time that a team he's advised has ever been able to deliver and test a completed prototype of their design to their real-world partner, which is a requirement of the competition as teams are required to meet with a member of their local community or business to develop a solution to a real problem rooted in the community. This helps create an authentic experience for them, while providing opportunities for them to learn more about career pathways and employment opportunities based in STEM.

The theme for this year's competition was "Innovating the Commonwealth through Collaboration and Computing." In a press release announcing the winners, Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin congratulated Exeter and the other 19 winners and said, "The thought and innovation that went into this year’s projects continues to show us why Pennsylvania has long been seen as a national leader in STEM. The Commonwealth is fortunate to have such talented, knowledgeable, and creative students.”

Exeter Alumnus to Star in Documentary

On Saturday, catch Exeter alumnus, Phil Pinti '01, as he makes his debut in the extreme sports documentary, "A Long Way from Nowhere," which will be shown at the GoggleWorks theater on Saturday at noon. In the documentary, Pinti, who went on to graduate from West Chester University and serve in the U.S. Marines, is featured as one of several ultra runners who participate in the grueling 150-mile Desert Rats race, which takes place during the summer in the southern Utah desert. Following the screening of the documentary, Pinti plans to be on hand to discuss the documentary and the race with those in the audience.

Pinti currently lives in Maryland with his two children, Penelope and Nolan, where he works for the Department of Defense when he's not participating in races and other adventures. To learn more and buy tickets for the show, please click HERE.

Patricia Phile Finalist for County Teaching Award

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From left: Lorane Elementary Principal, Mrs. Karen Hodge; Superintendent Dr. Christy Haller; Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Dawn Harris; Annie Sullivan nominee Mrs. Patricia Phile

The District is so proud to recognize Mrs. Patricia Phile and her nomination for the BCIU’s Annie Sullivan award, which recognizes local educators for their service to students with special needs. Mrs. Phile–or Miss Patty as she’s affectionately known–is a 20 year veteran of the Exeter Township School District, where she works as a paraprofessional to support students with social, emotional and behavioral needs. Miss Patty works at Lorane, and was nominated by the school’s principal, Mrs. Karen Hodge, who said, “Miss Patty understands and tailors her support to help and encourage all of her students… She exudes positivity and promotes joy to her kids and to adults, alike, even during difficult times and long, challenging days… She delivers her academic support with the same enthusiasm and encouragement as a classroom teacher. She tactfully coaches students to take academic risks and promotes a true love of learning.” Mrs. Hodge continued, "As her building principal, Miss Patty is the warmest, kindest individual I have ever worked with... I am so grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge Miss Patty’s work today amongst all the wonderful examples people like her have on special education here in Exeter." 

When thanking the Board for recognizing her work, Miss Patty reflected back on how losing her mother to cancer before she started kindergarten and how her son’s struggles with dyslexia while growing up shaped her professionally and allowed her to become a more understanding and supportive educator. "(My son's dyslexia) journey has enabled me to want to help students in need, to spur them on, and to share the wonderful world of knowledge with them so that they, too, can become a success in academics as well as in their lives," she said. 

We are so honored to recognize Miss Patty and her tremendous work and caring support of our students, and we are grateful that her work was recognized among her peers at the county level. Congratulations Miss Patty; we are so lucky to have you here in Exeter!