Name: Richard Briggs, Jr. 
Title/Position: Special Education Teacher
Education/Certification(s): B/S Health and Physical Education K-12; Masters’ Special Education N-12
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352, ext. 133
Favorite Book: Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Lost Symbol, Eight Men Out
Hobbies/Interest: Anything Athletic!!!
Favorite Quote: “It's supposed to be hard! If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great!” Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own
Personal Information: Grew up in upstate New York.  I went to Slippery Rock University for both my degrees. Married for almost 4 years to Jessica, my best friend of 10 years!  She is the one who keeps me in line! I have a beautiful black lab named Zoe.
Suggestions: Communication is everything! Without it, we would be lost!
Plans for the future: Have children of my own, continue to make an impact in the world one step at a time, and when I retire open a breakfast diner!
What I like about working at PA Distance: The TEAM aspect of the staff in working together to achieve the common goal of providing the best education for the students we have in our school!  The interesting ways we can impact a child’s life in helping them to learn in ways they never thought possible!

Name: Jamie Conrad
Title/Position: Special Education Assistant/Receptionist
Education/Certification(s): Currently pursuing a BA in Psychology
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 101
Favorite Book: The Twilight series.  I never thought that I would be able to enjoy books about vampires, but boy was I wrong! Team Edward or Team Jacob?  I can’t decide!
Hobbies/Interest: I collect Barbie dolls.  I also make my own OOAK (one-of-a-kind) dolls.  I buy an inexpensive Barbie off of the shelf and remove all the paint from her face and all the hair from her head.  I then repaint her face the way I want it to be and re-root her hair in a style/color that I like.  It’s a long process, but one I enjoy doing in my spare time.
Favorite Quote: “Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.” –Mark Twain
Personal Information: I am a proud mother to a beautiful 2 year old little boy named Alex who was born on St. Patrick’s Day.  I love seeing the world through his eyes each day and discovering new things with him.  I also have a little Pug at home named Diego who Alex loves to play with.
What I like about working at PA Distance:  I really enjoy working here because of the wonderful group of people that I get to interact with each day.  The teachers here really care about the welfare of the students and the school and each other.  It is refreshing and fun to come to work each day.

Name: Bill DeJoseph 
Title/Position: K-6 Academic Advisor
Education/Certification(s): BS in Elementary Education, an ESL Certification and a certified Student Assistance Program (SAP) team member.
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 135
Favorite Book:  Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Theodore Seuss Geisel.
Hobbies/Interest:  I have a fondness for fishing and tend to spend the majority of my free time on the water, somewhere.  Creek, river, lake, pond or mud puddle, it does not matter.  I also love sports, whether it is playing, watching or attending.  I have others, but they are far too boring to share.
Favorite Movie: Blazing Saddles by the great Mel Brooks
Suggestions: Log in EVERY day, stay on top of assignments and activities and ask questions. We are here for you and to ensure success for everyone enrolled and involved in our unique and exceptional school.
Plans for the future: Continue to evolve as an advisor and teacher and continue my education, with the hopes of obtaining a Master's degree. Oh, I would like to catch more and bigger fish.
What I like about working at PA Distance:  First, the faculty and staff here at PDLCS is second to none. Everyone is highly qualified, experienced and becoming better teachers every day. Second, PA Distance encouragers and provides opportunities for staff to gain further education through training, conferences and continuing education. Lastly, I enjoy knowing that I am helping provide students with an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar schools and provide them with the type of education that THEY need in order to be successful.

Name: Brooke Franus
Title/Position: Academic Advisor, grades 7-9/Testing Coordinator
Education/Certification(s): B.A. in Communications Education and English Education from Robert Morris University; M.S. Ed. in Instructional Technology from Duquesne University; PA Level II teaching certifications: 7-12 Communications, 7-12 English, K-12 Business, Computer & Information Technology, K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist administrative certificate
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 137
Favorite Book: I really enjoyed the Harry Potter series.
Hobbies/Interest: I enjoy painting pottery, geocaching, rollerblading, and watching movies.
Favorite Movie: I love Christmas movies such as Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express, and The Santa Clause.
Favorite Quote: “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” – Dory from Finding Nemo
Suggestions: Make education a family affair and a priority in your household.
Plans for the future: I love to travel, so I am saving money to visit friends and family in South Carolina, Florida, and California. I am also looking forward to adopting a dog or two someday.
What I like about working at PA Distance: Our staff is the best! We all get along really well, we have a lot of fun in and outside of the office, and we are all very focused on our goal to provide the best education we possibly can to our students.

Name: Cindy Lisiak
Title/Position: Records Manager
Education/Certification(s): B.S. – Business Management
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 Extension 134
Favorite Book: I like books by Michael Connelly, Dan Brown, and the Harry Potter books, as well as Stephen King, and many other authors
Hobbies/Interest: Spending time with my family, reading, crocheting and counted cross-stitch, watching movies and going to live theatre, traveling (when I can afford it!)
Favorite Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean (all of them); an old movie called Educating Rita with Michael Caine, the DVD of the London stage version of CATS, and many, many others
Favorite Quote: Any quote of Mark Twain – his wisdom and wit transcend time
Personal Information: I am married to an electrical engineer.  We have one son.  I have traveled all over the United States for business and pleasure.  I have also been to Canada, Romania, and Japan.
What I like about working at PA Distance: I enjoy talking with all our families and students.  I learn something from them every day.

Name: Sara Lutz
Title/Position: Academic Advisor Grades 10-12
Education/Certification(s): Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing and Communications; Currently pursuing a Master of Business Education and a K-12 Teaching Certification in Business, Computer, and Information Technology
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 139
Favorite Book: Anything by Steven King, the Harry Potter books, and basically anything with words on the page!
Hobbies/Interest: Reading, playing with my dogs, watching movies
Favorite Movie: Favorites include “The Goonies,” “The Shining,” “Shattered Glass,” and anything scary!
Personal Information: I live in Lawrence County with my husband and three dogs (Charlie – Golden Retriever, Peanut – Golden Retriever, and Tyke – Cocker Spaniel). We are also expecting to add a baby boy to our family in April!
Suggestions: Communicate! It is difficult to know what our families need when we rarely have the opportunity to meet them in person. If you are unsure of anything it is important to ask. The old adage is that there is no such thing as a dumb question, and in a distance learning environment, that is even truer!
What I like about working at PA Distance: The thing that I like most about working at PA Distance are my co-workers. The teachers, advisors, and support staff work cohesively to help each student find success on an individual basis. We also support each other in every way and I know I can always count on them!

Name: David Pierce
Title/Position: Family Outreach Coordinator
Education/Certification(s): Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a focus on Communications
Contact Information: 1-724-683-7660
Hobbies/Interest: Playing sports (specifically playing soccer at Dible) and watching sports in person and on the television.
Favorite Movie: A Beautiful Mind
Personal Information: I live in Plum with my beautiful wife. I love to travel and once spent an entire month traveling across the country with friends.
Suggestions: Communicate.  Communication is the key to success in everything you will do throughout your entire life.

Name: Aylea Ptachcinski
Title/Position: Certified School Nurse
Education/Certification(s): RN from Butler Community College, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and School Nurse Certification from SRU
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 106
Hobbies/Interests: I love to sing! I tend to be shy and reserved, but when I step on the stage to sing, my personality shines through. I think it is important to share the gifts God has given us. I love to travel anywhere and everywhere, and I also enjoy being outside planting. I inherited a green thumb, so I love summer days when I can be outside.
Favorite Movie: It is really hard to pick one…Top Gun, Ocean’s Eleven, Only You, Disney/Pixar movies…
Personal Information: I have been married to Jonathan (my best friend) for 7 years, and I am so thankful for him!! He keeps me calm, as I tend to be very Type-A.
Plans for the future: To go back to school to get my Nurse Practitioner (Masters and Doctorate degrees), make a difference, have a family, move to the South, travel the world…
What I like about working at PA Distance: I love the people I work with here; everyone is talented in their own way, and we come together as a team. I have enjoyed getting to know students and families and look forward to becoming more involved here. Being a school nurse in an online setting is a great new experience for me. PA Distance is a wonderful opportunity for students to achieve their goals and create a foundation for a successful future! I enjoy being a small part of that.

Name: Stephanie Russo 
Title/Position: Family Involvement Specialist (Guidance Counselor) K-12
Education/Certification(s): Bachelors of Science in Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University, Certified Guidance Counselor K-12 from Chatham University, Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a certified Student Assistance Program (SAP) Coordinator.
Contact Information: 1-888-997-3352 ext. 115
Favorite Book: The Twilight Series
Favorite Movie: The Notebook, The Pursuit of Happyness
Personal Information: I love the innocence of small children and I am very passionate about my career and helping people.  My outlook on life is that we are only given one chance at it so we should make the best of each day that is given to us!
Suggestions for students: Being a successful student in an online learning environment requires self-motivation and personal responsibility. Stay focused on your daily tasks so that you do not get behind and become frustrated. Do not ever be afraid to pick up the phone and ask for help! We are all here to assist you and to make sure that you are receiving the best education possible!
Suggestions for parents: I can not stress enough the importance of parental involvement in a child's education. As school staff members, we strive daily to provide your child(ren) with the most exemplary education possible. We exist so that you and your child(ren) have an alternative education option to the regular brick-and-mortar schools.

Name: Toni Taylor-Cavasina