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Turning the Table on Tina Vojtko
Communications specialist Tina Vojtko joined USC School District earlier this year in anticipation of Doreen Leech’s retirement. While she’s normally the person asking the questions, TODAY turned the table on Tina and interviewed her so our readers could learn more about the person who keeps our community up to date on the great things happening in our schools! What do you do at work during a “typical” day? One of the things that I like most about what I do is that no two days are ever alike. As a communications person, I spend a lot of time writing. Whether it’s a news release, website content, social media post, letter to families, or an eAlert message or survey, writing consumes much of my day. I also spend a lot of time managing the District’s website following the retirement of Doreen Leech, who is amazing. Educational background: I have a bachelor’s degree in communication from Bethany College in West Virginia and, 20 years later, I earned two master’s degrees from Duquesne University in corporate communication and multimedia technology. What you did before coming to USC? I have worked in school communications for the last 15 years, including the North Hills, Quaker Valley, and Moon Area school districts. Prior to relocating to Pittsburgh, I served as
the director of annual giving for West Liberty State College in West Virginia and as the director of community relations for the Children’s Home of Wheeling in Wheeling, West Virginia. Favorite part of your job: As a working mom, I have an auTina Vojtko thentic perspective on the needs of today’s families. I empathize with our families who are juggling multiple children, endless activities, and life’s daily challenges. There are countless stories to share about the amazing achievements, projects, and initiatives that are happening daily in our classrooms and schools. I am so thankful that I get to play the role of storyteller for USC. It’s such a great story to tell! Where do you live? I grew up in Maine and relocated to the North Hills area of Pittsburgh in 2001. Family—spouse, kids (ages), pets: My husband, Dan, and I have two teenagers–Andrew, 19, and Darby, 15–along with three cats: Buddy, Zozo, and Cooper. What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy walking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. n
Thank You Thank you to the following Upper St. Clair School District employees (listed alphabetically) who retired at the end of the 2015-2016 school year. We thank them for their service. Deanna Baird, High School German teacher, K-12 World Language Curriculum Leader, and German Club sponsor Linda Dalzell, High School student records and scheduling assistant Ronald Devey, Jr., District maintenance technician Frank Eisenreich, High School and Baker music teacher Richard Falascino, Boyce industrial arts teacher Rosemary Fouts Lostetter, Streams guidance counselor Peter Hess, Baker custodian Susan Hofrichter-Watts, Baker art teacher Jettie Kaplan, Streams head secretary Catherine Kauffman, Bus attendant Madeline Kneier, Eisenhower teacher aide Virginia Knudsen, Eisenhower special education teacher
Irene Koestner, Boyce head secretary Doreen Leech, Central Office technology support coordinator Roy Legacy, Maintenance technician Sheila Lloyd, High School student activities assistant Mark McCreery, High School part-time custodian Karen Momyer, High School home economics teacher Maureen Strathmann, Baker teacher aide Barbara Snyder, Boyce teacher aide Deborah Spada, Boyce teacher Eloise Stoehr, Supervisor of pupil personnel services Russell Tenace, Bus driver Catherine Zora, Eisenhower elementary teacher
Doreen Leech Retires As the District welcomes Tina Vojtko, it reluctantly says goodbye to Central Office technology support coordinator Doreen Leech. Doreen started her career with the District as a teacher aide at Boyce Middle School before filling the job of Boyce computer center secretary in 1991. In 1996, she moved to Central Office as a confidential secretary and in 1998 she became technology support coordinator. Doreen retired in July, after 28 years of dedicated service to the District, most of which were behind the scenes activities that enhanced the District’s presence to the public. n 70
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2016
Doreen Leech, with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick O’Toole and Director of Technology Ray Berrott