Five new additions familiar to Bangor High School have joined the faculty. 

Mrs. Finkbeiner makes transition from middle school to high school 

After teaching 7th and 8th grade gifted students at Bangor Area Middle School, Mrs. Finkbeiner is fresh and ready to tackle Horticulture 1, 2, and Horticulture for Life, which she taught 10 years ago during her original placement at the high school. Mrs. Finkbeiner also will work with the 9th and 10th grade gifted students. 

In addition to teaching classes, Mrs. Finkbeiner has the especially lofty goal to reinvigorate a program that helps the school and community. 

“My expectation is to bring the greenhouse back to life and provide a fun hands-on science elective credit for students,” Mrs. Finkbeiner said. 

Mrs. Finkbeiner can be found in room 117 or the greenhouse throughout the day. 

By: Allyson Heard

Ms. Kuchar: a returning Slater star

Ms. Kuchar, while a new addition to Bangor Area High School’s Physical Education and Health staff, is no stranger to Bangor.

Kuchar was a soccer star at our beloved high school and graduated in 2011. She then moved on to East Stroudsburg University to further her education.

“Going into college, I knew from the start that teaching gym and health was my passion and I am so excited to be able to pursue that,” Kuchar said.

At this time last year, Kuchar was teaching both Health and Physical Education at the middle school in the Allentown School District as well as assistant coaching the Bangor girls soccer team. When an opportunity from her alma mater came about, she could not pass it up.

“When I was walking through the halls, it reminded me of when I was a student,” Kuchar said. “It’s weird being on the other side of everything in terms of teaching, but I have high expectations for myself and I’m eager for what’s to come.”

By: Sara Phillips

Mr. Johnson: same district, new school 

 One of Bangor Area Middle School’s most beloved teachers, Mr. Johnson, is excited to be teaching both Sociology and American History II at the high school for the 2017-2018 school year. 

 “I’m very happy to be here at the high school,” Mr. Johnson said. “I really enjoy all of the students’ maturity and it’s a pleasure to be working with the other teachers in the history department.” 

As a newbie to the high school, Mr. Johnson is looking forward to engaging in new experiences. 

 “My goal is to learn all of the new technology before my students do,” Mr. Johnson said with a smile. “In addition, I’m excited to be going to my first homecoming dance as a chaperone.”

By: GG Murgia  

 English teacher moves to history

Everyone’s favorite Middle School English teacher is finally moving up to the High School-but not in the department one would expect.

Mrs. Verbeke will be using her language arts background to teach two sections of World History I and a section of World Cultures this fall semester.

“My goal this upcoming school year is to encourage my students to grow as both writers and researchers while allowing them to be challenged and have a great time,” Verbeke said.

Besides English, Mrs. Verbeke always had a fascination for history.

“My classes were taught together with two teachers. One would teach the history portion and the other would teach the English. It was really interesting because you could get a fuller picture, and deeper appreciation of a time when examining the literature when you understood the time period,” Mrs. Verbeke said.

Because she has always considered the two subjects linked, Mrs. Verbeke decided to spend a semester in Rome in college.

“I doubled majored in history and English and studied archeology, and ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian histories,” Mrs. Verbeke said.

Along with the jump from the Middle School and to a new subject, this school year has many more firsts for Mrs. Verbeke and the whole of Bangor Area School District.

“The technology experience is going to be different for me. I’m really looking forward to trying out new strategies with our one-to-one program,” Mrs. Verbeke said.

Although teaching a new subject may have its hardships, Mrs. Verbeke is excited to start a new chapter creating different memories.

By: Maria Bartolucci

Ms. Schiavone 

Bangor alumnus Ms. Schiavone rejoins the Bangor community teaching pre-algebra and algebra I at the high school and transition math at the middle school. Seeing all her old school teachers makes this experience stand out for her.  

Ms. Schiavone hopes to push her students in the right direction and teach them in the best way possible. 

“I hope to see all my students be successful both inside and outside of the classroom. It is amazing as a teacher to get to watch students grow in both math and life,” Ms. Schiavone said. 

Although this is her first year teaching at her alma mater, Ms. Schiavone has high hopes and expectations for this new beginning.  

 By: Gabby Zeeman