Fairview High School Teacher Biographies

Miss Ashley Cottengim grew up in Fairport, NY (Rochester). She is a 2007 graduate of Edinboro University with Bachelor’s degrees in both Elementary and Special Education with additional certificates in math and science grades 7-9. Miss Cottengim spent one year teaching part-time at Fort LeBoeuf Middle School in 2007 until she was fortunate enough to be hired as a learning support teacher in the Fairview School District in 2008.

Miss Cottengim also coaches the Fairview volleyball team both at the high school and middle school levels. The administrative and community support of Fairview academics and athletics leaves me hoping to stay in Fairview for my entire career. Miss Cottengim spends much of her free time participating in volleyball tournaments, coaching, reading, and watching movies

I have been a high school English teacher since 1991 and have taught in Dayton, OH; Memphis, TN; and Baltimore, MD before coming to the Fairview English department in 2001. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Dayton in History, English, and Secondary Education and later earned an M.A. in English Literature from Gannon University and an M.S. from Wilkes University in Educational Development Strategies. In addition to my high school teaching experiences, I have also serve as a reader for the AP English exam and as an adjunct English instructor for Mercyhurst College (West Campus) and Ottawa University where I have taught College Writing II, Advanced Expository Writing, Seminar in British Literature, Writing Skills Development, and The English Language.

Kelly Miele

Miss Kelly Miele is a 2010 graduate of Gannon University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Secondary Education. Currently, Miss Miele teaches senior English at the College Prep and Applied levels. She also teaches various electives such as SAT Prep and Public Speaking. Miss Miele loves reading and writing, and she enjoys engaging in insightful discussions with her students.

Theresa Bowser

I grew up in Corry, PA and graduated from Corry High School. After graduating from Edinboro University with a degree in special education, I left the area to teach on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. When I returned to Pennsylvania, I began teaching for the Northwest Tri-County IU where I held positions at Perseus House and Iroquois High School. I was fortunate to come to the Fairview School District in 1995 where I continue to be a learning support teacher.

I am proud to say my family and I are part the Fairview community. Fairview is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. My interests include reading, gardening, spending time with family and continuing education and personal interest courses.

Christine Gretka is a veteran of the Unites States Air Force where she was part of Security Forces. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Waynesburg University and Teacher Certification from Edinboro University. She has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science from California University of PA, specializing in Fitness and wellness. In her spare time she enjoys biking, hiking, reading, working out, cooking, being outdoors and spending time with her 2 kids.

I am grateful to find myself in this great district, my alma mater. As a child growing up in Cranesville, I had little knowledge of our expansive and intriguing world that I now enjoy teaching about each day. My worldview has since been shaped by many blessed relocations, jobs, travel opportunities and relationships. These include a family move to Alabama, working in grocery and therapeutic care, studying in Mississippi, backpacking in the heart of England, summer teaching in Russia and India, and most recently marrying the love of my life, Julie. Leisure to me is a book a tent and the mountains, a strategy game, a late night run, coffee with my wife, trying to get my dog to fetch, or any number of other contented activities. Teaching and learning alongside students and colleagues who love education and long to be a part of real positive life change is a dream come true.

Emily Crawford is a Midwest gal growing up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also spent a lot of time in Iowa visiting relatives as a child. Emily graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies in 2004. After completing her degree, she moved to Erie, Pennsylvania for a job at Mercyhurst College as an Admissions Counselor. She worked at Mercyhurst for 4 years and served as the Associate Director of Admissions and the Interim Director of Admissions. Emily finished her Master's Degree from Edinboro University in Secondary School Counseling in 2008. Prior to Fairview, Emily worked as a long term substitute guidance counselor at North East High School. Emily has been with FHS since August 2011. Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and son who was born in May 2010.

I grew up in Meadville, Pennsylvania, moved to Erie during my freshmen year of high school, and graduated from McDowell in 1984. I received my undergraduate degree in Special Education from Mercyhurst College. I went to Edinboro University to receive my Masters in Reading and the University of Pittsburgh to receive my Masters in Library and Information Science. Prior to working in Fairview, I worked in the Millcreek School District as a special education teacher for 18 years. I was a learning support teacher, life skills teacher, gifted teacher, and reading coach. I also traveled to seven elementary schools as a librarian.

Obviously one of my passions in life is reading and books! I’m an eclectic reader and enjoy reading a variety of different authors and genres. I collect Robert Sabuda books. In my opinion, he is the “king” of pop up books! I also enjoy scrap booking and spending time with my children, Katie and Kyle.

One of my favorite things I look forward to each year is going to Oak Island, North Carolina, with my family. We spend ten days at an ocean-front beach house relaxing, reading, playing board games, and cooking great seafood!

Mrs. Stevens loves to travel, camp and canoe with her family, read, and learn new things. After having taught English at Fairview since 1988, she relished the opportunity to help her fellow teachers find ways to bring 21st century technologies into our classrooms as a technology integrator with the Pennsylvania Classrooms for the Future grant.
Mrs. Stevens has visited 48 US states and has traveled with Madame Youngs and Mr. Kessler through France on the first Cholet exchange. On a trip to England with her husband, Mrs. Stevens spent time exploring Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and saw a performance of Macbeth in London at the Globe Theater! Before she entered college at age 22, she had hitchhiked through Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, and England.
After trying a variety of jobs, which included being a cashier at Super Duper West, a housekeeper at Commodore Downs, and a change girl in a Las Vegas casino, Mrs. Stevens earned her undergraduate degree through Edinboro University, completed her student teaching here at Fairview, and was hired the next school year to teach ninth grade English. She continues to learn through courses at Gannon University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Wilkes University, and the University of Rhode Island.
Her family also keeps her busy. Mrs. Stevens and her husband live on a one-hundred acre farm with Makenna, Kelli, and Carter, their three children who attend Northwestern Elementary School, play on Little League teams, ride horses, attend dance lessons, and play “Ghost in the Graveyard” on summer nights!

Recommended readings: Thomas Freidman’s books The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century and Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America

I am a Fairview resident and a proud Fairview graduate. I have been teaching social studies at the Fairview High School since 1995, and recently passed the art praxis which would allow me to teach an art class if the need would arise. I have coached the boys and girls swim team with my wife Kimberly since 1993, and I currently spend the better part of my summers coaching the Lake Shore Swim team. My wife Kimberly is a guidance counselor, and my daughter Merrikate is a kindergartener at the Fairview Elementary School. My son Finn is in preschool, but dreaming of the days when he too will be part of the Fairview School District. My hobbies include swimming, drawing and painting and reading.

My name is Kara Obuszewski and I am a learning support teacher at Fairview. I graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary and Special Education. I also hold teaching certifications in middle school English, middle school mathematics, and high school mathematics. I am currently working on my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. This is my second year working at Fairview High School. This year I am the advisor for Key Club and the SADD/Busted programs. Prior to working at Fairview High School, I student taught at New Castle High School in a learning support classroom and I taught for a month at the American School Foundation in Mexico.

Ms. Wegner

After growing up with a strong art program in Waukesha, WI I continued my education at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, MD. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Art in Sculpture and my Master of Art in Teaching from MICA. I followed my formal education with teaching at a high school in South Western City Schools just outside of Columbus, OH for six years. Within the six years I taught art I: fundamentals, Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Design, Photography, and Sculpture. I am well versed in art making processes and pedagogy of teaching. Upon moving to Erie, PA I worked with Edinboro University as a supervisor in art education and taught a technology course. I supervised student teachers and junior field students all across the region including Fairview High School. I am now one of the art teachers at Fairview High School and feel I have found my long-term home. So many positive things are happening here and I am honored to be part of this community.

When I am not in the classroom I enjoy hiking for thinking and relaxation, cooking to relish in the taste of creativity, and creating my own artwork to challenge myself conceptually. Spending time with my family generally takes top priority and I am grateful for every moment of it.

Mrs. Daley

Nicole Daley teaches photography and ceramics at the high school. She graduated from Hickory high school in 1999. She attended Edinboro University and received her BFA in Photography and art education in 2004. She is currently working on her masters of digital photography through the Savannah College of Art and Design. Nicole enjoys learning about new artists and art concepts as well as photographing and working with clay.

Bringing with her a bundle of energy, Mrs. Sara Callan Kim joined the Fairview High School staff in the fall of 2009. Prior to teaching English 11 and journalism at FHS, Mrs. Kim worked at North East High School teaching tenth and eleventh grade social studies. She also has worked in the private sector as a curriculum developer for a subsidiary of UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, teaching a course called “The Art of Education Through Authentic Experience.” In a nutshell, she taught doctors how to teach effectively! Recently married in October 2009 to Dr. Jeffrey Kim of St. Vincent’s Sports Medicine group, Mrs. Kim now has lots of time to spend at Fairview High School working with her students! She and her husband enjoy sailing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities. An avid reader, she recommends others check out Paolo Coehlo’s The Alchemist. Mrs. Kim did her undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a combined B.A. in Communications Rhetoric and in Foreign Policy. She earned her Master’s degree in education at Duquesne University in 2007. Mrs. Kim hit the road running with her journalism students who established a brand new, online Tiger Roar! The students also attended a National Scholastic Press Association conference in Washington D.C to further enhance their journalism skills. Look in the Fairview School District website for the next Tiger Roar news magazine!