Deer Lakes welcomes 6 new teachers — and a therapy dog — for 2023-24 school year

Deer Lakes School District is welcoming several new initiatives and staff members when classes begin Wednesday.

Spokesman Shawn Annarelli said the district will implement its Portrait of a Learner initiative this year, after it being in the works for about a year. The implementation won’t change the curriculum, but rather enhances it to promote student success and well-being, Annarelli said.

The five outcomes identified in Portrait of a Learner are creativity, communication, collaboration, empowered citizenship and wellness, Annarelli said.

“This is one of the most exciting times of the year, and we can’t wait to welcome all staff and students back to school,” Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden said. “In some ways, that is already occurring with continuous work by our staff to implement Portrait of a Learner, orientations at every school building, the marching band preparing for their performances and our athletic teams back in season.”

Cooper, a 3-year-old golden retriever, also will be available to high school students this year as a therapy dog, Annarelli said.

The dog is owned by high school counselor Tina Pascucci. Annarelli said Pascucci and Cooper began therapy dog training a few years ago in hopes of being able to serve the high school.

“We feel strongly he’s going to offer great support to our students,” Annarelli said.

The district’s IT department also installed Boxlight MimioBoards — an interactive, touch whiteboard — in all district classrooms.

“We are always looking for ways to improve student outcomes, and we believe the Boxlight MimioBoards will be a great resource for teachers and students in the classroom,” Annarelli said.

Deer Lakes Middle School also will welcome a new assistant principal, Nick LaMantia. LaMantia previously was an assistant principal at Highlands High School.

LaMantia earned his doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Point Park University.

New teachers include Natalie Travaglia, a life skills teacher at the high school; Nick Amrhein, a middle school social studies teacher; Alex Gigler, a middle school STEM teacher; Sophia Frye, a first grade teacher at Curtisville Primary Center; Kevin Hughes, a middle school computer science teacher; and Hannah Szalay, a middle school special education teacher.