While many Berks County public school seniors will graduate this May, they’d likely tell you that it wouldn’t be possible without the teachers who have helped them along the way. So, let’s celebrate some of them! We’ve asked teachers from local districts to share a bit about themselves in a Q&A on the pages that follow.
Favorite place to grade papers?
“My favorite place has changed over the years! I was always the type of student who went to the library to study, work on homework/readings in college, so the first few years of teaching I would go to Panera, Starbucks or Dunkin on weekend afternoons to plan and grade. Now with a busier schedule, I like to finish my planning and grading at home, cozy on the couch with our dog, Trixie, by my side.”
- Brittany Benevenuto
9th grade Civics, 10th grade Honors World Cultures, 12th grade Global Studies at Hamburg Area High School | 9 years teaching
“Not where, but with…I LOVE to grade papers ANYWHERE with my Mr. Sketch smelly markers.”
- Andrea Boyd-White
1st grade teacher at 10th and Penn Elementary School | 34 years teaching
“My favorite place to grade papers is outside on my patio. The fresh air and natural surroundings create a peaceful and rejuvenating environment, allowing me to concentrate on assessments while enjoying the outdoors. It's a refreshing change of scenery that enhances my productivity and makes the grading experience more enjoyable.”
- Christie Viscariello
6th grade math teach | 13 years teaching
One thing always on my desk?
“My plan book and a pencil. While it's important to make plans, it's just as important to be able to adapt and adjust.”
- Angela Burkey
8th grade science teacher at Governor Mifflin Middle School | 25 years teaching
“My personal bottle of sanitizer. There are a lot of germs in kindergarten!”
- Sarah Christman
Kindergarten teacher at Boyertown Elementary School | 19 years teaching
Any “teacher hacks” to share?
“Honestly, the teacher side of TikTok is my hack. I get a lot of ideas, resources and just tips from other teachers on there!”
- Kylene Sanders
K-6 instructional coach at Bethel & Penn-Bernville Elementary Schools | 18 years teaching
“A daily password or question of the day when students enter the classroom creates a quick, easy way to greet students, get to know them, as well as require them to start thinking.”
- Matthew Kramer
8th and 9th grade art teacher at Muhlenberg Junior High School | 16 years teaching
If you had to assign yourself a superlative, what would it be?
“Most Likely to Be A Lot.”
- BJ Dramby
High school social studies: AP World History: Modern, AP Economics, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship at Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School | 25 years teaching
-Lynn Schadler
3rd grade teacher at Willow Creek Elementary School | 29 years teaching
“Most patient. Teaching pre-teens, I have come to realize that they have a lot more going on in their brains along with what you want them to learn. Some days you just have to scrap the lesson or accept that you will not cover all the material you mean to.”
-Ryan Moraski
7th grade science at Conrad Weiser Middle School | 10 years teaching
What do you wish people understood about teaching?
“We are not just their teacher. We are their cheerleader, tear wiper, hug giver, protector and want nothing but the absolute best for every single one of them.”
- Lori Oxenreider
4th grade ELA teacher at Mt. Penn Elementary Center | 22 years teaching
“That it is as demanding as it is meaningful. It is a hard job. It is not meant for everyone. And it is by no means easy. Many people like to think it is easy and we get a lot of time off. We need the time off to counteract the burnout that comes with the school year. I wish people knew that good teachers try so hard to help every child in their classroom and truly care about their child.”
- Sarah Christman
Kindergarten teacher at Boyertown Elementary School | 19 years teaching
Tech piece you can’t live without?
“My Promethean board. As a math teacher, it plays a crucial role in enhancing the learning experience for my students. The interactive features and dynamic capabilities of the Promethean board allow me to illustrate complex mathematical concepts in a visually engaging way, making lessons more interactive and comprehensible for my students. It's an invaluable tool that has become an integral part of my teaching methodology.”
- Christie Viscariello
6th grade math teacher at Wilson West Middle School | 13 years teaching
How do you spend summer break?
“I really enjoy just being at home and spending time with my wife and son (and another boy is on the way). We go on vacations with both of our families as well. I also enjoy working outside. Honestly, I try not to think about school too much; I need that time away to reset and be fresh for the new school year.”
- Adam Rabenold
High school music teacher at Brandywine Heights High School | 9 years teaching
“Relaxing with a good book by the pool or on the beach.”
- Carey Steward
Art K-4 teacher at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School | 33 years teaching
What made you want to become a teacher?
“I wanted to give back to the community that I was raised in. My goal was to always teach at Exeter because it was the school district that I grew up in, and I wanted to repay them for all of the opportunities that they gave me.”
- Matt Burkhart
10th-12th grade US History and AP US History teacher at Exeter Township Senior High School | 18 years teaching
“I have always enjoyed helping people. When I was in 1st grade, I had a wonderful teacher who I adored, and I wanted to be just like her.”
- Melissa Blatt
5th grade teacher at Greenwich-Lenhartsville Elementary School | 23 years teaching
“I am inspired by my parents; both were teachers. My mother taught in the same field of art as I do. I spent my life seeing the rewards and relationships they have gained throughout their careers as teachers.”
- Matthew Kramer
8th and 9th grade art teacher at Muhlenberg Junior High School | 16 years teaching
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
“My favorite teacher was my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Strunk from Lauer’s Park Elementary School. I remember loving everything about school and all she taught me in kindergarten. She made me love school. She was always so kind and caring. As I got older, she would always ask how I was doing and tell me she was proud of me as she watched me grow throughout the years. When I needed to do a classroom teacher observation visit while in college, she allowed me to do it in her classroom and would still tell me how proud she was of me.”
- Andrea Boyd-White
1st grade teacher at 10th and Penn Elementary School | 34 years teaching
“Just one? This is not a fair question to ask a teacher. Mr. Frey was one of my favorite teachers in high school because he was fair and taught us about the strength of being honest even in difficult situations.”
- Jennifer Kennedy
3rd grade teacher at Daniel Boone Intermediate Center | 27 years teaching
“My favorite teacher was my mom. She taught me all the basic life lessons, but most of all, she taught me to be kind, loving and caring.”
- Joan Carroll
Speech/language support for kindergarten-3rd grade at Oley Valley Elementary School | 28 years teaching
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“Besides getting hugs and Picasso drawings every day from little humans, I love watching a student reteach another student while imitating my mannerisms/voice.”
- Lori Oxenreider
4th grade ELA teacher at Mt. Penn Elementary Center 22 years teaching
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is when students continue with music after high school. I realize that most of my students will not pursue a career in music, but it’s very fulfilling to know that students continue to sing in a choir in college and beyond. Another one of the most rewarding parts of my job is working to create a safe space for students. I think the collaborative and creative nature of music classes naturally promote inclusivity, which is one of my top priorities.”
- Adam Rabenold
High school music teacher at Brandywine Heights High School | 9 years teaching
“The most rewarding part of my job is helping my students grow with their communication skills and seeing their excitement when they come for their speech sessions.”
- Joan Carroll
Speech/language support for kindergarten-3rd grade at Oley Valley Elementary School | 28 years teaching
“In another world and if I would teach English, I would LOVE to create a novel unit on The Hunger Games or Harry Potter. A dystopian unit would be a lot of fun to teach but also shows the importance of our democratic system. There would be a lot of fun comparisons to Panem (Futuristic US in The Hunger Games) to our current US states to touch on Geography. Harry Potter would be a fun unit to teach for its themes of friendship/loyalty, perseverance, love and good vs. evil.”
- Brittany Benevenuto
9th grade Civics, 10th grade Honors World Cultures, 12th grade Global Studies at Hamburg Area High School 9 years teaching
Favorite Book to Teach?
“Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse because it is such a good journey story that also helps students learn about Asian belief systems. It is not a hard book to read, but it can become very personal as you reflect.”
- BJ Dramby
High school social studies: AP World History: Modern, AP Economics, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship at Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School | 25 years teaching
“In another world and if I would teach English, I would LOVE to create a novel unit on The Hunger Games or Harry Potter. A dystopian unit would be a lot of fun to teach but also shows the importance of our democratic system. There would be a lot of fun comparisons to Panem (Futuristic US in The Hunger Games) to our current US states to touch on Geography. Harry Potter would be a fun unit to teach for its themes of friendship/loyalty, perseverance, love and good vs. evil.”
- Brittany Benevenuto
9th grade Civics, 10th grade Honors World Cultures, 12th grade Global Studies at Hamburg Area High School | 9 years teaching
Trickiest school subject for you as a student?
“Math was incredibly challenging for me as a child. Ironically, it subject that I LOVE to is the I enjoy discovering ways to teach. teach concepts to make it easier for my learners to learn. I want to avoid having them feel the level of frustration I felt so long ago!”
- Lynn Schadler
3rd grade teacher at Willow Creek Elementary School | 29 years teaching
What’s your teaching philosophy in one sentence?
“No two students enter a classroom the same way, and it is essential to find how to best reach each student so that they may grow during their short time in your room.”
- Jennifer Kennedy
3rd grade teacher at Daniel Boone Intermediate Center | 27 years teaching
“Do what’s best for kids.”
- Kylene Sanders
K-6 instructional coach at Bethel & Penn-Bernville Elementary Schools | 18 years teaching
“‘I can't tell you how many people say they were turned off from science because of a science teacher that completely sucked out all the inspiration and enthusiasm they had for the course.’ - Neil deGrasse Tyson.”
- Angela Burkey
8th grade science teacher at Governor Mifflin Middle School | 25 years teaching
Most memorable teaching moment?
“There have been many over the years, but probably one of the most memorable students was a young lady who struggled with math. She was so determined to get better that she would show up to school at 7am so that I could help her and work with her.”
- Melissa Blatt
5th grade teacher at Greenwich-Lenhartsville Elementary School | 23 years teaching
“When the football team made it to states several years ago and senior football players chose teachers who have had the biggest impact in their lives by asking them to wear their jersey. Kellen Boyer chose me to wear his jersey because of the impact I had in his high school educational career.”
- Matt Burkhart
10th-12th grade US History and AP US History teacher at Exeter Township Senior High School | 18 years teaching
“I have worked with some terrific colleagues and students in several states and have had many moments that I still think about to this day. I think one of the more memorable ones was when I was teaching high school chemistry at a previous school in North Carolina. One of my students was a Top 2 finalist on The Voice television singing contest with a song he wrote in my chemistry class. His coach, Alicia Keys, shouted me out on TV. This student and I caught up before his finale on the news. It was a whole big thing.
- Ryan Moraski
7th grade science teacher at Conrad Weiser Middle School | 10 years teaching
“When one of my students from the very first year I started became an outstanding art teacher and is now working with me at SV.”
- Carey Steward
Art K-4 teacher at Schuylkill Valley Elementary School | 33 years teaching
