This school year we welcomed many new staff members. Throughout the year, we’d like to introduce these new staff members to the Salisbury community through a series of blog posts. Please welcome Katie Stehly, Nancy Fenstermaker and Linda Gardus!
Katie Stehly
Job role in STSD: 8th grade Social Studies teacher
Building assignment: Salisbury Middle School
Previous work experience: I have spent the last five years teaching at Broughal Middle School in the Bethlehem Area School District as a Language Arts/Reading and Social Studies teacher. Prior to that I actually spent my first year teaching as a long-term substitute at Salisbury Middle School for 7th, 8th and 9th grade social studies.
Educational background: I am a 2004 graduate of Salisbury High School. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Elizabethtown College in 2008 in Secondary Education in Social Studies. I also have my mid-level PRAXIS for English. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree through Wilke’s University in Classroom Technology.
No. of years in education: 8
How do you “sharpen the saw”? I spend my free time playing my violin, exercising, reading, spending time with my friends and family and relaxing up in the Finger Lakes in New York.
Other interesting facts you’d like to share: I am getting married on Black Friday, November 27th of this year and we will be going to Costa Rica this summer for our honeymoon. In 2009 I spent six months in Tanzania, East Africa teaching English at a secondary school.
Nancy Fenstermaker
Job role in STSD: Instructional Assistant/ Main Office
Building assignment: Salisbury Middle School
Previous work experience: The past 10 years I worked for the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit as a Job Coach. The 12 years before that I worked for the East Penn School District in the Attendance and Main Office at Emmaus High School.
Educational background: I graduated from Salisbury High School and Lehigh Carbon Community College.
No. of years in education: 22
How do you “sharpen the saw”? I love being with my family and spending as much time as possible with my granddaughter. I love to sew, walk my dog, listen to music and go to Eagles games.
Other interesting facts you’d like to share: I have three sons and I’m married to my high school sweetheart for 33 years.
Linda Gardus
Job role in STSD: Instructional Assistant
Building assignment: Salisbury Middle School
Previous work experience: I was a Developmental Skills Instructor at The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties for seven years. I continue to work there as a substitute. I was also employed by Lehigh County District Courts for four years as an administrative assistant.
Educational background: I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Scranton in Health/Human Services.
No. of years in education: I taught Fifth Grade Religious Education for 15 years.
How do you “sharpen the saw”? I love spending time with my family and friends. I am an avid reader and belong to a book club. I keep busy attending my daughter’s sporting events and volunteering. I also enjoy taking long walks.
Other interesting facts you’d like to share: I have four children. Three sons which are Salisbury graduates and a daughter in 10th Grade.