Dr. Abby Mahone Shares Insights in Panel for Women Leaders in Education

Dr. Abby Mahone, Director of the Downtown Campus, was one of six women in Lehigh University’s Educational Leadership doctoral program to serve as a panelist in an event entitled “Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Many Paths for Lehigh Valley Women in Education.” According to Lehigh, ”The event created a space for interactions between existing educational leaders and aspiring educational leaders to increase knowledge around leadership topics and ignite ideas throughout the Lehigh Valley in an inspiring environment.”

Faculty and assistant coach of the varsity boys soccer team at Moravian Academy, Fernando Carrizo, attended and presented at the United Soccer Coaches Convention from January 11-15, 2023. The United Soccer Coaches is one of the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organizations that serves members at every level of the game. Coaches from across the US, Mexico, and Europe took part in the Convention in Philadelphia, where Carrizo proudly represented our community—he was the only Lehigh Valley soccer coach to present a field session. Carrizo, who has been coaching youth and semi-pro soccer for over 25 years, presented a “Passing/Receiving” clinic, instructing participants on first touch, proper technique with both feet, opening up the body to receive the ball, communication, weight of the pass, and work rate.

Dave Sommers, Spanish teacher at the Merle-Smith Campus, spent a semester away from campus traveling and teaching in Latin America, in partnership with the Moravian Church’s Board of World Mission. After previously participating in a retreat in Peru, Sommers was invited to a conference in Panama for Moravian Church members, leaders, and pastors. “My role was to give a morning workshop on the use of art and teaching and how you can expand your range of teaching and communicating through the use of visual art,” he says.

Sommers not only spent time demonstrating the importance of integrating art into teaching as a gateway to meaningful conversations, but he also focused on his own craft. His painting of Green Pond, a familiar view for our community, is displayed in the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Learn more about his art at www.davidsommersart.com.