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Exeter Township Junior High

Grades 7-8 | 610-779-3320

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Directory

Exeter Township Junior High

151 East 39th Street | Reading, PA 19606
(610) 779-3320

Click Here For A Searchable Directory
  • Office

    x3004 Alex Brown, Principal
    x3003 Jennifer Cooke, Assistant Principal
    x3001 Nancy Barrasso, Attendance Secretary
    x3002 Patti Suruskie, Secretary

  • Counseling & Guidance

    x3015 Autumn Rheaume, Counselor A-L
    x3014 Kimberly Shaw, Counselor M-Z
    x3012 Shannon Buser, Secretary

  • Nurse

    x3016 Kathy Blume

  • Psychologist

    x3010 Chad Rutherford

  • Technology Support

    x3209 CaroleMcGarry

Note: Faculty phone numbers go to voice mail during school hours

  • Art

    x3108 Kimberly Lopez
    x3107 Colin Temple

  • Computer Applications

    x3116 Kevin Adams

  • English & Reading

    x3104 Hillary Arndt
    x3103 Sophie Cannon
    x3211 Megan Heller
    x3114 Heather Kelly
    x3105 Cheryl Larson
    x3106 Alison Patton
    x3219 Nina Reynolds
    x3102 Stephanie Walters

  • Fitness & Wellness

    x3127
    x3126 Shannon Schmidt

  • Librarian

    x3008 Kate Sowers

  • Mathematics

    x3112 Kelvin Altemose
    x3303 Laura DeLong
    x3301 Scott Haag
    x3305 Sara Prout
    x3306 Jayme Raffauf
    x3302 Shawn Seidel
    x3304 Kathy Topper

  • Music

    x3122 Micah Albrycht
    x3123 Melissa Crotty
    x3221 Kyle Luckenbill

  • Science

    x3205 Brenda Brenner
    x3207 Gretchen Hess
    x3208 Nicole Keen
    x3204 Michelle Obst
    x3203 Tracy Powell
    x3206 Darryl Schucker

  • Social Studies

    x3226 Dena Burkhart
    x3202 Brad Galuska
    x3218 Cynthia Jurasinski-Boyer
    x3201 Janine Lucas
    x3227 Mike Noecker

  • Special Education

    x3210 Abigail Elsavage, Learning Support
    x3017, Stephanie Isselmann, Gifted
    x3215 Kaitlyn Kontopodias, Learning Support
    x3216 Amy Lubenow, Emotional Support
    x3113 Alyssa Raab, Life Skills
    x3101 Michelle Raccuglia, Learning Support
    x3220 Erin Schermerhorn, Learning Support
    x3117 Robyn Shaffer, Autistic Support

  • Technology Education

    x3206 Darryl Schucker
    x3111 Zachary Schools
    x3224 Jason Zalno

  • Therapist

    x3217 Kristin Swartley, Speech Therapist

  • World Languages

    x3212 Nichole Mandel, Spanish,
    x3219 Nina Reynolds, French
    x3104 Carolyn Woodford, German

Home » Teacher’s journey inspires students and colleagues

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During the last 20 years, Michele Bautsch has worked in nearly every building in Exeter, and has held nearly a dozen different job titles, but none have been the most fulfilling to her until this year when she achieved her goal of becoming a full-time certified special education teacher–a journey that she said she owes to teachers and administrators who saw her special light, talent and love in working with emotional support students and kept encouraging her to further her education to have a classroom of her own. “I never thought I would become a special education teacher at 54,” said Michele, adding a touch of her signature encouragement: “It is never too late to go back to school and get the degree you deserve. It takes a lot of effort, but in the end it is all worth it.” 

Michele’s journey began in teaching when she earned an elementary education degree after graduating from college. However, when her children were born, she decided to stay home to care for them. When her girls, Rachel ‘12 and Jordan ‘14, entered school full time, Michele looked to return to work as a teacher, but her teaching certification had expired. It was then that she began her 20-year journey in the district holding a variety of teaching aide positions at Jacksonwald, Owatin Creek, Reiffton and the Senior High, mostly working with students who have special needs. Looking back, she said she always loved working with younger students, but it was seeing her impact on older kids with emotional needs that she found the greatest satisfaction, which propelled her to return to school in the fall of 2019 to recertify as a special education teacher. Next week, she’ll graduate from Alvernia with her master’s degree in special education–and a 4.0. 

Although Michele is quick to thank the administrators who encouraged her and inspired her to chase her dream of becoming a certified teacher, you’ll find that it’s those same people who are inspired by Michele’s own journey and perseverance. “She shows her students day in and day out that hard work pays off and that you can always strive for more for yourself,” says Secondary Special Education Supervisor Jillian Brodhead. Owatin Creek Principal Kristi Coble agreed, and added, “Seeing Michele in action with students, it was always evident she was meant to be a teacher. Her dedication to student success and to continue her education in order to do so is inspirational!”

Exeter Township Junior High School

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Address & Contact Info

  • 151 East 39th Street
    Reading, PA 19606

  • District Phone:
    610-779-3320

  • Fax:
    610-249-0171

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Our Schools

Exeter Township Senior High

Exeter Township Junior High

Reiffton School

Jacksonwald Elementary

Lorane Elementary

Owatin Creek Elementary