Voices, a Podcast from the Seneca Valley School District

Seneca Valley School District

Want to hear directly from the voices at Seneca Valley on the most current topics and updates?Join us in listening to Voices, a podcast brought to you by the Seneca Valley School District.This podcast interviews guests who share an inside look at what is happening at SV. read less
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Episodes

Episode 90: Introducing Seneca Valley's Paraprofessional Incentive Program with Dr. Jeff Roberts and Ms. Kyra Bobak
Feb 6 2024
Episode 90: Introducing Seneca Valley's Paraprofessional Incentive Program with Dr. Jeff Roberts and Ms. Kyra Bobak
SHOW TOPICIntroducing Seneca Valley's Paraprofessional Incentive Program with Dr. Jeff Roberts and Ms. Kyra BobakSPECIAL GUESTDr. Jeff Roberts, Director of Student Services and Ms. Kyra Bobak, Director of Human Resources  Dr. Jeff Roberts has been an administrator in the Seneca Valley School District since 2009, and currently serves as the Seneca Valley Supervisor of Gifted Education and Student Services. He earned his degree in doctoral studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Administration and Leadership Studies. In addition to supervising gifted education, Mr. Roberts oversees the school counseling, health service and library departments. Dr. Roberts is a graduate of the Leadership Butler County program. He is also currently a member of the Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and a board member of the Butler County Alliance for Children. Ms. Kyra Bobak has over 20 years of experience in education and has been an administrator in Seneca Valley School District since 2006. She served as an assistant principal and then as a principal for Haine Elementary School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and received her Master’s degree in Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWThe job of a paraprofessionalQualifications and skillset needed to become a paraprofessionalDetails about the new paraprofessional incentive programBonuses and other incentives within the new programLearn more about the paraprofessional incentive program:Human Resources / Paraprofessional Incentive Program (svsd.net)
Episode 89: Seneca Valley Selected as National 'Lighthouse' School System with Dr. Tracy Vitale and Dr. Sean McCarty
Jan 29 2024
Episode 89: Seneca Valley Selected as National 'Lighthouse' School System with Dr. Tracy Vitale and Dr. Sean McCarty
SHOW TOPICSeneca Valley Selected as National 'Lighthouse' School System with Dr. Tracy Vitale and Dr. Sean McCartySPECIAL GUESTDr. Tracy Vitale, Seneca Valley Superintendent of SchoolsDr. Sean McCarty, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for K-6 InstructionDr. Tracy Vitale proudly serves as the Superintendent of Schools for Seneca Valley, which is one of the largest public school districts in Western Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming Superintendent in 2011, she was an Assistant Superintendent, Principal and Teacher in urban, rural and suburban environments in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. She has a strong understanding and experience in community relations, public education advocacy, business partnerships and workforce development. She also has an extensive background in personnel selection, training & supervision.Dr. Sean McCarty has held the position of assistant superintendent of elementary education, grades K-6, since 2012. In his role he has expanded the elementary curriculum and added unique courses for the K-6 student. Dr. McCarty has overseen the development and expansion of an elementary foreign language program and is also credited for introducing and initiating the District's Creativity, Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), which serves as a model program for K-6 schools all across the State.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWWhat is the AASA and AASA’s Learning 2025 Network? What is the “Lighthouse” designation and how did SV earn such an award?What is the application process like?What this prestigious recognition means for Seneca Valley.
Episode 87: Introducing "The Power of Prevention: Insights into Youth Substance Abuse and Addiction" with Dr. C. Thomas Brophy
Oct 16 2023
Episode 87: Introducing "The Power of Prevention: Insights into Youth Substance Abuse and Addiction" with Dr. C. Thomas Brophy
SHOW TOPICIntroducing "The Power of Prevention: Insights into Youth Substance Abuse and Addiction" with Dr. C. Thomas BrophySPECIAL GUESTDr. C. Thomas BrophyDr. C. Thomas Brophy is one of the regions only physicians board certified in Addiction Medicine as well as Emergency Medicine. He is local to the western PA area, obtained his neuroscience degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed his medical residency training at Allegheny General Hospital. With a passion for education, Dr. Brophy has become well known for educating the public as well as medical professionals on the neuroscience of addiction. He is a regular contributor to KDKA radio and has organized and executed over 100 public education seminars on topics related to addiction. His passion for helping addicts started at an early age.  Dr. Brophy has dedicated his life to not only helping those struggling with addiction, but also helping everyone understand the neurophysiology of addiction better, so that we can all be part of the solution. Dr. Brophy began working with the Gaiser Center in 2019 and serves as Medical Director for the facility.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWThe upcoming parent event, "The Power of Prevention: Insights into Youth Substance Abuse and Addiction" Facts about the neuroscience of addictionWhat parents can expect to hear during "The Power of Prevention"Why attend "The Power of Prevention"
Episode 85: Introducing 'We are SV' with Ms. Lisa Graham and Seneca Valley sophomore, Miss Elaina Donahue and junior, Mr. Nolan Aleprete
Sep 6 2023
Episode 85: Introducing 'We are SV' with Ms. Lisa Graham and Seneca Valley sophomore, Miss Elaina Donahue and junior, Mr. Nolan Aleprete
SHOW TOPICIntroducing 'We are SV' with Ms. Lisa Graham and Seneca Valley sophomore, Miss Elaina Donahue and junior, Mr. Nolan Aleprete SPECIAL GUESTSMs. Lisa Graham and Seneca Valley sophomore, Miss Elaina Donahue and junior, Mr. Nolan Aleprete Ms. Lisa Graham is in her sixth year as a school counselor at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, grades 9-10.  Prior to her position as school counselor, she was an emotional and autistic support teacher in the district at both elementary and secondary levels for 12 years. She has Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education from Mercyhurst University and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University. She has been part of Seneca Valley’s positive behavior intervention and support committees since she began teaching at Seneca Valley and currently serves as the secondary LEAD committee chair. Miss Donahue is a sophomore at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School. She participates in Latin and key club, as well Pom Pons, track and field, and she is also involved in chorus and piano.Mr. Aleprete is a junior at Seneca Valley High School and has been a member of Seneca’s student diversity committee, SHOUT since freshman year. He hopes that his contributions can make Seneca a more inclusive and safe space for all. In his free time, he creates and releases his own music and plans to go to college for music business.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW• How "We are SV" evolved• What students, teacher and community members can expect from "We are SV"• Marketing efforts that are taking place to promote this new initiative• What makes students excited about "We are SV"
Episode 83: Athletics & Activities - What's New for the 2023-24 school year with Ms. Heather Lewis
Aug 21 2023
Episode 83: Athletics & Activities - What's New for the 2023-24 school year with Ms. Heather Lewis
SHOW TOPICAthletics & Activities - What's New for the 2023-24 school year with Ms. Heather LewisSPECIAL GUESTSMs. Heather Lewis, Athletics & Activities DirectorMs. Lewis, entering her 12th year as the District’s Athletic & Activities Director, has previous experience as the chief operating officer for USA Field Hockey, a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic National Governing Body. As part of this role, she hosted major events for the International Federation of Hockey, supported the women’s and men’s national teams in international competition, and assisted in the reorganization of the Association’s executive leadership structure. She also has previous experience as the head field hockey coach, head women’s lacrosse coach, associate athletic director and assistant athletic director for Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. Additional experiences include time spent as an official for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and president of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.A former athlete herself, Ms. Lewis was a regional All-American and All-ACC and captain of the field hockey team, and regional All-American and NCAA champion for women’s lacrosse, all while at the University of Maryland, College Park. Ms. Lewis has a bachelor’s of science in zoology and a master’s in kinesiology from the University of Maryland.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW• Major accomplishments by SV's sports teams from the 2022-23 school year• Welcome, Mr. Eddie Kurtz, Assistant Director of Athletics & Activities • A look back at the first year of the girls’ wrestling season • Introducing a brand-new fieldhouse and press box
Episode 79: Seneca Valley presents 'The Dangers of Tech' with Officer Jason Young and Officer Chris Miller
Apr 18 2023
Episode 79: Seneca Valley presents 'The Dangers of Tech' with Officer Jason Young and Officer Chris Miller
SHOW TOPICSeneca Valley presents 'The Dangers of Tech' with Officer Jason Young and Officer Chris MillerSPECIAL GUESTSOfficer Jason Young, Seneca Valley School District Safety and Security Supervisor and Officer Chris Miller, Seneca Valley Senior High School Student Resource Officer (SRO)Officer Jason Young has previous law enforcement experience as a Police Officer for Jackson Township, as well as eight years working as a Deputy Sheriff for Butler County where he presented the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to numerous Butler County public and private schools; organized safety lectures for teachers on active shooters; and field trained new law enforcement deputies. He also worked for nearly ten years with the Saxonburg Borough Police Department where he started as a Patrolman and was later promoted to Patrol Supervisor. Additional service includes his first year as a Patrolman with the Fawn Township Police Department in Tarentum, Pa. His training highlights include Crisis Intervention Training (C.I.T) that focuses on mental health incidents and a Field Training Officer certification through Penn State University. Officer Young earned an Associates Degree in Emergency Services-Police Services Option from Butler County Community College and attended the Municipal Police Academy (ACT 120) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.Officer Chris Miller has been a Police Officer employed by the Jackson Township Police Department for the last 15 years. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy Class #63.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW• The upcoming event, "The Dangers of Tech"• What parents can expect to hear during "The Dangers of Tech"• Online safety and awareness• Why it's important for parents to attend this event
Episode 78: Preparing Students for the Workforce with Ms. Jess Pyle and Ms. Angela Kotula
Apr 3 2023
Episode 78: Preparing Students for the Workforce with Ms. Jess Pyle and Ms. Angela Kotula
SHOW TOPICPreparing Students for the Workforce with Ms. Jess Pyle and Ms. Angela KotulaSPECIAL GUESTMs. Jess Pyle, Transition Coordinator of Transition Planning, Career, and Vocational Education and Ms. Angela Kotula, parent and Ryan Gloyer Middle School librarian. Ms. Jessica Pyle is in her 18th year teaching at Seneca Valley. She has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education PK-12 and Elementary Education K-6 from Slippery Rock University and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University. She currently serves on the BC3@Cranberry Advisory Board and is a member of the Special Needs Consortium, Tri-County Transition Coordinating Council, Butler County Transition Council and Perkins Committee at BCAVTS. She also serves as a CHS teacher for Robert Morris University. Ms. Angela Kotula is in her 15th of teaching at Seneca Valley.  During that time she taught second grade, 7th grade English, and is currently the librarian at Ryan Gloyer Middle School.  Ms. Kotula graduated of both Robert Morris University and Edinboro University where she received a Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Education.  She has participated in multiple special needs trainings for parents, presented to pre-service teachers about being a parent of a special needs child, and has participated in various podcasts and interviews regarding parenting and special needs. Angela’s eldest son was diagnosed with autism at two and half years old and from that moment on, she became his biggest supporter and helped him take advantage of all the community and school resources possible, especially the Community Based Vocational Training (CBVT) program at Seneca Valley.  As a result, her son is now a productive community member and a competitively employable adult.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWResponsibilities of the Coordinator of Transition Planning, Career and Vocation Education  SV's Community Based Vocational Training (CBVT) program A parent's perspective of the CBVT program How the CBVT program prepares students for the workplace
Episode 71: 25 Years of the SV Graduation Project: A Review with Dr. Matt McKinley
Mar 3 2023
Episode 71: 25 Years of the SV Graduation Project: A Review with Dr. Matt McKinley
SHOW TOPIC25 Years of the SV Graduation Project: A Review with Dr. Matt McKinleySPECIAL GUESTDr. Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley Assistant Superintendent for 7-12 InstructionDr. Matthew McKinley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction, grades 7-12. Prior to his assistant role, he served for six years as principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School. He also served as assistant principal of the Seneca Valley Senior High School and as a mathematics teacher at the same building for six years. Prior to coming to Seneca Valley, Dr. McKinley taught as a mathematics teacher at Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School.Dr. McKinley earned his bachelor of art’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College and obtained his Master of Education degree and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. McKinley developed the Academy of Choice Program in the district, which includes a growing cyber program and a one-of-a kind performing arts department. He is also author of the Seneca Valley Random Drug Testing Policy, which has been lauded locally as well as nationally and was cited as a model program by the White House Drug Policy Council.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEW•  What the Graduation Project is.•  The history behind the Graduation Project.•  Why the Graduation Project is a requirement for SV seniors.•  How students benefit and the overall goal of the Graduation Project.