Meet the PA Distance Learning Staff
We’re not just passionate about education–the PA Distance staff embraces the overall learning experience. On the PA Distance Learning administration, we take our mission seriously, but we never take ourselves too seriously–we want to have fun on this journey of learning. When we make Pennsylvania charter school employment fun, it means we can make it fun for those we care about most: our students.
What makes us different? Our teachers. One point of emphasis we continually make is that at PA Distance, teaching still matters. This doesn’t only mean that our teachers are subject matter experts–it means that our teachers know how to interact with students in a meaningful way that fosters academic growth.
Our teachers offer dynamic courses and are always accessible to students when they have any questions. Whether at the level of elementary school, high school, or special education, our teachers ensure that the curriculum is always personal and interactive.
Administration
Stephanie Faith
Dir. Special Ed
Katie Heiles
Asst. Principal HS
Kelly Crooks
Chief Academic
Dr. Michael Leitera
Chief Executive
Dean Pappaterra
Chief Compliance
Nicholas Kocuba
Chief Operations
R.DiGiandomenico
Chief Comms.
Charles Mort
Principal HS
Dr. Aubrey Ploesch
Principal ES
Dr. David Anney
Principal MS
Amy Thornton
Asst. Principal ES
Carol Smialek
Asst. Principal MS
Leigh Anne Lord
HR Coordinator
Sheryl Allmon
Procurement Crd.
V. Panepucci
Admin. Specialist
Online School Support for Our Families
When a child enrolls at PA Distance, they become a member of our school family, where we do everything we can to support each and every student. The relationship we have with our students, parents, and guardians is paramount, and so is the online school support we provide. Our Community Engagement Team is on the front lines of this effort, providing various resources and liaising between each household and their local community.
Angela Abbiati
Coord. / Region 4
Linda Williams
Parent Connection
Janie Ruane
Region 1
Reilly Meyer
Region 2
David Pierce
Region 3
Meet the Counseling team
Cassandra August
Jordan Kist
Alyson Lamberton
Amy Protho
Courtney Stein
Elisa Carpenter
Brandon Payne
Antonietta Riley
Mandy Rauenzahn
Kathy TImmerman
Joanna Bigos
Threat Assessment Team
Our School is committed to fostering a safe learning environment for all students, staff, visitors, and our community. To this end, we have established a Threat Assessment Team composed of administration and support staff. The team’s focus is to assess and intervene with students whose behavior indicates a threat to their safety, the safety of other students or school employees, the safety of school facilities, or the safety of the community.
All team members have received comprehensive training and follow prescribed guidelines and procedures to recognize, assess and follow through with assisting students showing traumatic or threatening behaviors to harm themselves or others.
If you see warning signs or suspicious behavior, please report it via Safe2Say or contact the school principal or counselor at 484-875-5400. If it is an emergency, call 911.
We must provide a school environment where everyone feels safe and welcome so all our students can thrive in their educational journey. We appreciate your support.