Guest Info:

Diane McCallum is the assistant superintendent of the Waynesboro Area School District, located in Franklin County, PA. A former Earth and Space Science teacher, Dr. McCallum has proudly served the Waynesboro Area School District since 2013 as an assistant principal and principal. She received her Bachelor's Degree from West Chester University, Master's Degree from Penn State University, and Doctoral Degree from Widener University.

Alli Kopco is the principal at Waynesboro Area Senior High School. She is a former middle school math teacher, and previously served in Waynesboro Area School District as an assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, and Masters' and Doctoral degrees from Frostburg State University. Dr. Kopco feels blessed to serve in WASD, the district that she herself attended as a student.

Guest Info:

Dr. Lura Hanks currently serves as the superintendent of the Greencastle-Antrim School District in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Lura has previously worked as the preK-12 Supervisor of English Language Arts and Social Studies in Washington County, Maryland and held the positions of principal, assistant principal, teacher and teacher specialist in Maryland and Pennsylvania over the course of her 29-year career in public education. Lura has been dedicated to curriculum design and instructional practices that lead students to deeper and more authentic learning experiences. Dr. Hanks has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate of Organizational Leadership from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences on topics of literacy education and teacher professional development. She has authored and contributed to a variety of articles including the 2019 released book by Doug Fisher titled This Is Balanced Literacy, Literacy Leaders Shift the Spotlight (English Leadership Quarterly, 2021) and in 2022, 5 Key Elements to Successful Curriculum Design. In October of 2019, Dr. Hanks presented at the International Literacy Association conference on improving literacy instruction through talent management professional development. Dr. Hanks lives here in Greencastle with her husband and two children.

Resources:

Portrait of a GA Teacher

Guest Info:

Carrie Jones started her educational career in 2001 and joined West York Area School District in 2006 as a High School Biology Teacher. After teaching for 15 years, she became High School Dean of Students and then High School Assistant Principal prior to taking the helm as High School Principal in 2018. Carrie obtained her Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Pennsylvania Western University in 2023. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Education from McDaniel College, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Biology from York College of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Gettysburg College. Carrie strives to ensure her students feel valued and loved while they are in the care of West York High School. She and her colleagues work tirelessly to prepare and inspire their students to pursue their purpose beyond graduation so they can be successful in both life and the workforce. This is only possible because Carrie profoundly believes in and empowers her exceptional teachers; they are the heart of the mission, consistently going the extra mile to connect with, challenge, and champion every student.

Melissa Appnel is the Director of K-12 Education and Assessment in the West York Area School District. After earning her undergraduate degree from York College, she obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership from Temple University, and her Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Shippensburg University. In her 23 years in the West York Area School District, she has served as a 5th grade teacher, technology coach, elementary principal, and now a central office leader. Melissa has centered her instructional work around enriching the student experience for all through focused professional development opportunities and educator collaboration.

Resources:

McTighe and Associates

Understanding by Design Framework

Doug Enders is the Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern York School District in rural Pennsylvania. He brings over 25 years of experience in education, having served as a high school teacher, elementary principal, and district leader. He earned his undergraduate degree from Messiah University and his doctorate from Shippensburg University. Doug’s doctoral research explored Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset and how intentional messaging can shape student and school success. Doug is passionate about organizational culture, parent/family engagement, and most importantly, supporting the growth and success of all students and educators.

Resources

Modern Teacher

Progression of Modern Teaching and Learning at Eastern York School District

League of Innovative Schools

Guest Info

Erinne Lynch is a 5th grade science teacher at Conewago Valley Intermediate School. She holds a Master of Education degree in Integrative STEM Education and serves as the Science Curriculum Leader for grades 4 through 6. In this role, she plays a pivotal part in preparing for the new STEELS standards and evaluating science programs that align with CVSD's vision for current science instruction and learning.

Mark Herb is currently the Assistant Principal of the Conewago Valley Intermediate School in New Oxford, PA. He has served as a middle school assistant principal, grades 5-8, as well as a high school biology teacher for the past 12 years. Prior to entering education he was a research scientist in both industry and academia and held leadership positions in biotechnology marketing, sales, business development, and training. Mark is focused on helping to implement STEELS standards in his district, instilling the practices and habits of mind of scientists in students, and guiding administrators through the process of implementation through a scientist/coaching lens.

Christina McLaughlin serves as the Curriculum Director for the Conewago Valley School District, bringing 24 years of experience in public education to the role. Her diverse career spans positions as a teacher, school counselor, K-12 principal, educational consultant, and professional development specialist. Mrs. McLaughlin is deeply committed to social-emotional development, MTSS, student engagement and educational leadership. She is passionate about collaborating with the Conewago Valley faculty to create transformative experiences that open a world of possibilities for every young Colonial.

Resources

Ed Reports Ratings

4 Steps to Ensure High-Quality Curriculum Leads to Impact

Guest Info:

Vanessa Wolbrink, Associate Director of the NextGenScience project at WestEd, works with state, regional, and district leaders to enact systemwide strategies that move them toward their vision for science instruction. With expertise in today’s science standards, their implementation, and science education research, Wolbrink leads science leadership networks and partnerships to improve learning experiences for students at scale.

Resources:

Quality Examples of NGSS Design

How People Learn (Full Publication)

How People Learn (Synthesized)

What is multi-dimensional learning with the PA STEELS?

A New Vision for Science, Technology, and Engineering, and Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Education

Kara Olewiler is a secondary science educator with 22 years of experience at Conewago Valley School District. 15 of these years were dedicated to middle-level science education with the most recent time at the high school teaching various biology and earth science courses. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently pursuing her administrative certificate. Kara is passionate about fostering meaningful learning experiences and supporting the growth and success of both students and educators.

Resources

Talk Science Primer

Communicating in Scientific Ways Chart

AST Discourse Primer

Discussion Planning Tool

Discussion Tools and Ideas from OpenSciEd

Carrie Lankford currently serves as her district's K-12 STEELS Implementation Coach at Red LionArea SD. Over 18 years she has been a 7th grade science teacher, 4th grade and 2ndgrade teacher. Her undergraduate degrees from Slippery Rock University-Environmental Education and Elementary Education serve her well as she integrateslearning from, about, and within the outdoors. She currently serves as the PennsylvaniaSouth Central Environmental Literacy Hub Leader and is a 2024-2025 NOAA BWETGrantee. Her Master's in Educational Leadership and role as a writer for the PA STEELSstandards contributed to the role she is in now where she works to support teachers,involve community members and environmental partners, and (re)ignite students'interest in the natural world.

Resources:

OSE DQB Resource

Edutopia Article

"The Value of Asking Questions" - National Library of Medicine

"Intentional Questioning to Promote Thinking and Learning" - Science Direct

Ambitious Science Teaching

Val Stone is the Assistant Director of Advancing Science, Gettysburg College’s K-12 science outreach program. She brings over 20 years of experience in K-Gray education, with a focus on making science accessible and engaging for learners of all ages. Val specializes in helping teachers and students explore science and nature through hands-on investigations in their own schoolyards and local communities.

Resources:

Wild Wonder Foundation

California Academy of Science - Setting Up Your Science Notebooks

Dot Journals from Amazon

Val’s Nature Journaling Session Slides