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Lorane Elementary

Grades K-4 | 610-582-8608

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Directory

LORANE ELEMENTARY

699 Rittenhouse Drive | Reading, PA 19606
(610) 582-8608

Click Here For A Searchable Directory
  • Office

    x4002 Jennifer Cooke, Principal
    x4001 Jen Hemstreet, Secretary
    x4000 Adele Reilly, Attendance Secretary

  • Counselor & Psychologist

    x4006 Kaley Ryan, School Counselor
    x4101 Lisa Jacobson, Psychologist

  • Nurse

    x4004 Jessica Pinkasavage

  • Technology Support

    x4130 Cathy Bittinger

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

  • Kindergarten

    x4110 Lynne DeCamillo
    x4114 Mary Firestone
    x4116 Nicola Kline
    x4113 Kaleigh Stein
    x4112 Chris Young

  • Grade 1

    x4115 Katie Hebel
    x4121 Adam Ousley
    x4117 Emily Zientek

  • Grade 2

    x4120 Patricia Cupitt
    x4123 Ashley Defiore
    x4119 David Fick
    x4122 Sarah Herchelroth

  • Grade 3

    x4146 Taylor Fasig
    x4147 Kelly Learn
    x4148 Sherilyn Reidinger-Smith
    x4149 Josie Whitney

  • Grade 4

    x4137 Shannon Deiuliis
    x4139 Derek Denunzio
    x4133 Danielle Hernandez
    x4138 Jessie Marburger

  • English as a Second Language

    x4127 Kellee Fries

  • Reading & Intervention Specialists

    x4127 Kellee Fries, English as a Second Language
    x4144 Katie Macrina, Reading Specialist
    x4147 Jodi Moyer, Intervention Specialist
    x4144 Monica Weisser, Reading Specialist

  • Special Education

    x4145 Nicole Angstadt, Learning Support
    x4109 Elizabeth Kennedy, Emotional Support 
    x4143 Kaitlyn McMenamin, Learning Support
    x4142 Lisa Nugent, Learning Support
    x4134 Kathy Walker, Gifted

  • Specials

    x4131 Tia Cosgrave, Art
    x4103 Nina Delewski, Music
    x4179 Taylor Kerling, Physical Education
    x4104 Emily Reppert, Instrumental Music
    x4176 Devon Tarewicz, Library

  • Therapist

    x4141 Tara Koch, Speech Therapist

Home » Teacher Appreciation Week: Mrs. Loretta Gaetani
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When you ask people what kind of teacher Lorane's Mrs. Loretta Gaetani is, likely the word "humble" will come up time and time again in people's descriptions. Case in point: When we asked her what teaching accomplishment she's most proud of during her 37 year career--all spent at Lorane in 1st grade--she chose not to answer despite our plea to share her thoughts. But when you learn more about why she chose to become an educator, you soon realize that perhaps she's humble about her career because being a teacher seems like something she was born to do. "When you step into her classroom, you immediately feel a sense of calm and warmth--it's like you're at home," says Lorane's principal Mrs. Karen Hodge. "She downplays just how good of a teacher she is, but she immediately puts kids at ease and sets them in a nurturing environment, which allows them to thrive academically." Mrs. Emily Zientek, who's worked with Mrs. Gaetani for 17 years agrees, "She's a dedicated teacher who is passionate about helping all of her students grow as a learner and individuals to be the best version of themselves," she said.

As we continue our series of our longest-serving teachers here in Exeter, we're excited and proud to share this interview with Mrs. Gaetani, who did her student teaching at Exeter and began working at Lorane in 1986.

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I became a teacher because I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps. Whenever I was not in school, I went to her school to help her and the children.

Q: Did you ever do anything other than teaching? If so, what?
A: I had many jobs as I was growing up. My first job was cleaning houses, retail, and fast food establishments.

Q: If you wouldn’t have been a teacher, what other career would you have pursued?
A: For some time, I wanted to be a social worker to work with children. After my first year at college, I switched my major to elementary education.

Q: Can you please tell us where you’ve taught, what you’ve taught and for how long?
A: My student-teaching experiences were in 4th and 2nd grade in Exeter. After graduation, I taught 3rd-grade summer school and was hired to teach first-grade. I have been teaching in first grade since 1986 at Lorane!

Q: What do you love most about teaching?
A: I consider my students and coworkers to be my second family.

Q: What was your favorite grade or subject when you were a student?
A: Ironically, it was not first grade. I absolutely loved 2nd and 5th grade because of my teachers. My 5th grade allowed me to stay after school to hang work on the bulletin boards and to correct papers. As a reward, she would give me a root beer barrel piece of candy.

Q: What’s a moment you’ll never forget from teaching?
A: In my first year of teaching, I had a student with religious beliefs that did not celebrate holidays. At Christmas time, the other students brought presents, and she wanted to give me something too. While waiting for the bus, she spotted a dead flower arrangement in a neighbor's trash. She collected it and proudly presented it to me! It was a gift from the heart, and after all these years, I haven't forgotten.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned from your students that you’ll never forget?
A: The students at Lorane are so accepting and inclusive of everyone.

Q: What’s the best thing about teaching in Exeter?
A: I have been teaching for so many years that I am now teaching my former students' children!

Q: What have you learned about the profession since becoming a teacher?
A: I learned that the curriculum may change, but students are always excited to learn!

Q: What’s one skill that you hope all students learn from you?
A: I hope my students always remember to do their best work, be kind, and that amazing things will happen!

Q: What advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher?
A: Don't sweat the small things; there's always tomorrow.

Lorane Elementary School

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Address & Contact Info

  • 699 Rittenhouse Drive
    Reading, PA 19606

  • Phone:
    610-582-8608

  • Fax:
    610-249-0173

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Our Schools

Exeter Township Senior High

Exeter Township Junior High

Reiffton School

Jacksonwald Elementary

Lorane Elementary

Owatin Creek Elementary