'Staff of Seneca Valley'
In 2017, I was hired as an emotional and autistic support teacher at Evans City Middle School. Little did I know that my colleague and mentor would not only share the same job title and position but also the same last name.
We quickly became known as “The Reynolds,” “Reynolds 1” and “Reynolds 2,” “the taller one” and “the shorter one,” “W. Reynolds” and “D. Reynolds.” We jokingly told our students that we were sisters or a mother/daughter duo. From day one, we supported each other professionally—not just in spirit, but also in practice. We encouraged one another on difficult days, connected with each other’s students, updated each other on best practices, and collaborated closely, striving together to plant seeds of growth in our students. As colleagues, together, we thrived.
In July 2006, Wanda gave birth to her third son, Connor. Shortly after his birth, complications ensued, and Wanda found herself thrust into the world of disability and medically complex parenting. In May 2008, Connor passed away, likely from mitochondrial disease, though this was never formally confirmed.
After our first school year as “Team Reynolds,” I had my first child, a daughter named Avery, in July 2018. Three days later, I found myself calling Wanda from Children’s Hospital at 5:00 in the morning. Like Wanda, I was suddenly thrown into the world of disability and medically complex parenting. In November 2019, Avery was diagnosed with Trisomy 12p, requiring lifelong care.
Throughout my parenting journey and Avery’s diagnosis, Wanda was there every step of the way. Her love and support helped us thrive not just as colleagues, but as mothers. Together, we thrived in the face of personal challenges.
Though years apart, our shared personal experiences profoundly impacted our professional lives. Experiencing the challenges of parenting children with disabilities gave each of us a deeper understanding and empathy for the families and students we served. We became more patient, compassionate, and resilient—qualities that were invaluable in our roles as support teachers. We knew firsthand the emotional toll that complex medical conditions and disability can have on a family, which allowed us to connect more meaningfully with our students’ parents and offer them the kind of support that only someone who has walked a similar path can provide.
Moreover, our personal experiences gave us a unique perspective on the importance of fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for all students. Because we understood the significance of small victories and the power of encouragement, together, we thrived. This connection between our personal and professional lives became the foundation of our success.
We have supported each other both personally and professionally—on good days and bad, through ups and downs, grief and celebration. With our unwavering commitment to our students and their families, our colleagues, spouses, and children, together, Team Reynolds thrives. We thrive together because of our connection as women, mothers, and teachers. We thrive together because we learn from one another, challenge one another, and strive to lead with love, patience, and kindness. In every aspect of our journey, we’ve proven that together, we thrive.
- Danielle Reynolds, ECMS Emotional and Autistic Support Teacher, written in reflection of the "Together WE Thrive" theme for the District's All-Staff Welcome Back Event held on Aug. 16, 2024.
Have you ever wondered why things happen the way they do? Have you ever thought the flutter of a butterfly’s wings across the world could somehow create a chain reaction of events that affect the way your life plays out? I have never thought about this until I met my husband in Paris, France thanks to a simple interaction with a substitute teacher at CVE.
“Bonjour!” “Merci!” “Oui!”
The school year was winding down and every so often I would faintly hear these French words coming from the classroom next door. The homeroom teacher was absent that day and she had a substitute. Coincidentally, I was planning a trip to France with my brother for my 30th birthday that summer.
Introducing myself to the substitute was easy as I always love meeting new people. I also thought of it as an opportunity to perhaps learn something about French culture and etiquette.
“Hi there!” “Bonjour!” — Our first interaction and we immediately got to talking about my trip. It turns out she loves France and even splits her time between here and there throughout the year. We kept in touch, and she helped me plan out many details of my European adventure.
Jumping ahead to June 11, 2022, and I found myself visiting a beautiful castle called Château de Chantilly on the outskirts of Paris with none other than the French teacher (who I started to call Madame) as my own personal tour guide.
Some of her family lives close by so we had planned an afternoon picnic and visit of the castle. Her son Michael, who lives a stone’s throw away, had seen it enough times and suggested renting golf carts to explore the grounds instead. I was not going to pass up the opportunity to ride around in a golf cart so there I found myself, driving around a castle with the most perfect French man.
I texted my mom and my friends back home to tell them I found the one. I knew at that moment we would get married someday.
Two days later my trip came to an end, but the most beautiful love story was just beginning. A six-hour time difference and an ocean stood between us for nine months until Michael finally moved back to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2023 after living in Paris for 11 years. Six months later we were married, and the rest is magnifique!
Just like the butterfly sending off tiny ripples in the air, I believe everything that happened that year was part of a butterfly effect. If the teacher next door hadn’t been absent, she wouldn’t have had a substitute. If I had not been planning a trip to France, I wouldn’t have told the substitute about my summer plans. If that substitute hadn’t invited her son, or if he ended up working that day, we would have never met, and Madame wouldn’t have become my mother-in-law!
Et mon française? Je l'améliore avec chaque jour qui passe!
- Amanda Longello, Ehrman Crest second grade teacher
“Señora Kriess, were you born in Mexico?” is a question I often get from my students. I remind them that, just like them, I once sat in a classroom listening to unfamiliar words roll off my teachers’ tongues, doing my very best to follow along and pick up new words that I could use with my friends and their abuelos who lived with them. I grew up in Miami and was always fascinated with the Hispanic culture that surrounded me. I was fortunate in college to study in Spain and completely immerse myself in the language and culture. Since then, I have never stopped learning and, whenever possible, traveling to Spanish speaking countries. That is why when I heard about Operation Walk and their Spring 2024 trip to El Salvador, I jumped on the opportunity to volunteer.
Operation Walk is an organization that travels to developing countries providing free medical care; the upcoming trip to El Salvador was recruiting a group of volunteer doctors, nurses, and physical therapists to treat local patients debilitated by arthritis and other joint diseases. Since many of them were unable to work and provide for their families, these surgeries would be life-changing for them. And wait… what? The group needed Spanish interpreters? I could combine my love of language, my thirst for cultural experiences, AND my innate desire to help others all in one trip? Count me in!
I signed on as a volunteer and began practicing medical Spanish by Skyping with an online tutor. This immediately came in handy when I arrived at the airport in San Salvador. My first task was to communicate with customs officials to convince them to let us pass through with a HUGE suitcase full of anesthetic medication. The pressure was on since, without those meds, none of the 50 surgeries we were to perform would have been possible. After that, I spent very long days at the hospital, mostly on my feet, with very few breaks. My medical Spanish refresher was very useful when I was translating between the patients and doctors and speaking with the local hospital staff. But I also often found myself in a nurturing role, comforting nervous family members and patients prepping for surgery, explaining procedures to them, and chatting with them about their lives and their families while they recovered.
Upon my return, I’ve been asked what my biggest challenge was and what my biggest takeaway was. The former is easy to answer. My whole life I have always been extremely averse to anything even remotely related to the medical field. I’ve even been known to faint at the sight, or even thought, of blood! So, being in a hospital, assisting with medical procedures, and even holding patients’ hands while they received IVs and epidurals, was definitely outside my comfort zone. I somehow overcame this obstacle and faced my fears, much to the surprise of those who know me best!
The second question, my biggest take-away, is a bit harder to answer, mostly because there was so much that profoundly affected me. Perhaps most outstanding was the bravery and resilience of the patients. Besides being incredibly grateful and warm, the patients demonstrated an amazing tolerance for discomfort. The hospital conditions were so different than in the United States: no A/C in an extremely warm, tropical climate; broken and non-functioning hospital equipment (from heart monitors to hospital gurneys); lack of vending machines; uncomfortable plastic chairs in waiting rooms; endless hours of waiting pre-surgery; and major surgeries, knee and hip replacements—with only local anesthesia!
I must have heard a thousand “thank yous” and “god bless yous” in my time at the hospital. I even got invited to my new amigos’ homes, with encouragement to visit the beautiful beaches and numerous volcanoes for which El Salvador is known. However, the real gracias goes from me to the guanacos, the Salvadorans, for providing me with an amazing experience that I will never forget.
Elana Foster Kriess, Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School Spanish Teacher
“‘Where are you from?’ It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot in life. It’s a simple ice breaker to start a conversation. For most people, those four words usually come with a simple answer, ‘I’m from _____.’ But you see, I am a Third Culture Kid (TCK). A TCK is a person who was raised in a culture outside of their parents’ or the culture of their country of nationality during their formative years of life (between birth and adolescence). I’m a first generation American, born in California to Ghanaian immigrant parents. However, that is just the beginning. Not only was I a TCK, but I was also raised by one. My mother’s father was a Ghanaian diplomat which meant she grew up living in multiple countries as my grandfather moved from embassy to embassy. I guess that laid down the foundation for what was to come for me.
Up until the age of 18, I spent six years growing up in three different countries. I lived in Ghana with my maternal grandparents from my first birthday until I was six. I then moved back to the US where my family settled in Kansas City, Missouri. When I was 12, we moved to the Middle East to a country called the United Arab Emirates.
Since settling back in the US after college, I’m able to adapt to new places and situations quickly and get along well with everyone I meet. Growing up among TCKs, I had friends who had to move to new countries every couple of years because of their parents’ work. We learned how to make quick connections despite social, cultural and even language barriers and to make the most of the time we would have together before moving on. All those experiences between the ages of 1 and 18 have shaped my life and the person I am today. I was able to learn new languages, interact with different cultures, visit historical sites and most importantly, broaden my view of the world.
‘So, Nii, where are you from?’ Well, how much time do you have?”
Photo Captions:
Top Right: Mr. Sowa-Doku in Ghana, 2000.
Middle Left: Mr. Sowa-Doku with parents, 1995.
Bottom Right: Mr. Sowa-Doku and TCK friends, 2013.
- Nii Sowa-Doku, Seneca Valley Assistant Athletics Director
"I started playing hockey at a very young age, but the support of my grandparents, both rabid hockey fans, led me to fall in love with the sport. Growing up, I played girls’ Tier 1 AAA hockey for Team Pittsburgh (now Pittsburgh Penguins Elite), boys’ hockey for the Allegheny Badgers, and Franklin Regional High School varsity hockey. After college, when I was working on my master’s degree, I started officiating to make extra money to pay for my master’s. Little did I know how much this decision would impact my future.
I started with local youth hockey and worked my way up. I was selected to officiate for the USA Hockey Women’s National Championship Tournament during my second season. I met terrific mentors, supervisors and other officials there who opened my eyes to opportunities available through officiating. At this point, officiating had become much more than just a way to make extra money but rather an opportunity to challenge myself to improve, develop and progress. I attended numerous officiating camps and clinics and jumped at any chance to learn and gain experience.
In 2018, I skated my first Division III NCAA game, and the following season, I began officiating NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey and Women’s Professional leagues. In addition to girls’/women's hockey, I have also become increasingly involved in men's college and Junior hockey. I am an assignor for local college club teams, and I've also become more involved in training and instruction for our local district within USA Hockey. I recently was selected as the MidAm Female Officiating Coordinator and work with the national office to grow, inspire, train, and mentor female officials. The highlight of last year’s season for me was skating the Women’s USA vs. Canada Rivalry Series game at PPG Paints arena (shortly after the teams arrived home from the Olympics). This summer, I was awarded an International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) license, and now my goal is to officiate international hockey tournaments and, someday, the Olympic Games.
Officiating has become more than just a way to stay involved in the game and make extra income. I have met outstanding individuals and formed great friendships (including my husband, who I met through officiating). Ironically, my husband and I skated the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp scrimmage the day before our wedding this past September. I will forever be thankful for the opportunities, growth, friendships and traveling officiating has and will continue to bring me."
Photo Caption:
Top Right: Ms. McGuire conducts a faceoff during the Duquesne vs. IUP ACHA Division 1 men's game
Bottom Left: Elite officiating experience camp where Ms. McGuire (pictured far right) trained and officiated the USA Women’s National Teams tryouts as they were evaluated for their IIHF (international) Licenses.
- Mackenzie McGuire, Seneca Valley Academy of Choice (SVAOC) Teacher