The Elizabethtown Area School District welcomed its newest educators and professional staff on Monday, August 17, as they began orientation and induction activities in preparation for the 2026-27 school year.

New staff began their first day with a welcome breakfast, where they heard from Superintendent of Schools Tom Strickler and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Megan Moffett and had an opportunity to meet members of the district’s administrative team before beginning the day’s orientation sessions.

The three-day orientation introduces new professional staff to the district, its schools, programs and instructional practices. Sessions throughout the week focus on technology, human resources, school safety, student support services, special education, positive behavior supports and the district’s instructional priorities. New staff also tour their buildings, become familiar with their classrooms and connect with mentors and instructional coaches.

The district’s new professional staff members include:

East High Street Elementary School

• Nina Bonanno - First Grade Teacher
• Alison Brown - Kindergarten Teacher
• Kristen Swords - First Grade Teacher

Bear Creek School

• Jennifer Hotsko - MTSS Coordinator
• Kristina Strohm - School Psychologist
• Joseph Williamson - Third Grade Teacher

Elizabethtown Area Middle School

• Holly Kopp - Seventh Grade Science Teacher
• Megan Lanza - Certified School Nurse
• Gary Luft - Seventh Grade Math Teacher
• June Shepherd - Eighth Grade ELA Teacher

Elizabethtown Area High School

• Chung Wai Yue - School Psychologist

District/Multiple Buildings

• Gillian Conner - K-5 School Psychologist
• Maya Johnson — Elizabethtown Area Middle School/Elizabethtown Area High School Librarian
• Juliann Langworthy - K-5 Elementary Learning Support
• Laura Why -  Elizabethtown Area Middle School/Elizabethtown Area High School French Teacher

Orientation is the beginning of the district’s ongoing support for new professional staff. Depending on their previous experience and induction status, new hires participate in mentoring, instructional coaching, professional learning sessions and other supports designed to help them become acclimated to the district and continue their professional growth.

The Elizabethtown Area School District welcomes its newest staff members and looks forward to their contributions to students, schools and the broader EASD community.