Getting to Know the Department Heads at Dallastown

It's her first year as the Social Studies Department Chair and Karen Wilson is excited about the opportunity. Miss Wilson reported that "The biggest thing was changing classrooms," but she enjoys "being able to help other colleagues." Wilson went on to explain some of her basic responsibilities as department head. "Basically I am a liaison between administration and teachers.  If the teachers...

"I consider the role to be a key communicator between our administrators, our principals, and our teachers, our departments," explained Rebekay McCauley, the head of the English department for the last four years. In 2015, McCauley trained with the former department head before taking on the responsibilities herself.  While communication is key, she is also required to work on scheduling and "If...

Math is one of the core subjects that every student takes classes in.  The Department Chairperson for this subject is Kyle McAllister and he has held the position for six years now. "My responsibilities are to be the person between administration and the teachers, so if there's a concern from the other teachers, I'm the voice of the department.  I'll bring it to administration and then I'll report...

Mark Ilyes has taught for 30 years, but he has been the Head of the Science Department for at least 15 years.  Mr. Ilyes cannot remember the exact year he started but he knows that the former Department Chair moved on and the other department members suggested he apply for the position. Since then, Ilyes has taken on many responsibilities in the department. "In addition to teaching like other...

For the last two years Chorus Director Jennifer McCleary has been the Chairperson for the Performing Arts department. Two of the major roles that McCleary highlighted were "Voicing concerns that the department has to administration [and] listening to ideas that are coming up and see how they will affect the music department. " While McCleary technically has all the same responsibilities as all...

"This is my 20th year teaching, 17 years with the district.  I started off as a Special Education Teacher here in the district as a Living Support Teacher and transitioned six years ago to the Department Chair in special education," explained Andrew Schneider. Schneider also described how he fits into the Special Education Department and works with the other teachers and the students. "We have...

Jillian Kohler is not only an Art Teacher here at Dallastown but the Head of the Art Department, and she has an interesting story about how she got the job. "We used to be considered the Fine Arts Department and it was art and music together.  Mr Dougert, the previous band director, when he retired we decided to split, so Mrs. McCleary is the Performing Arts Department Chair and I'm the Visual...

"My responsibilities are to transfer information from administration to the teachers, make sure that the teachers in the department are completing their weekly targets and teaching the curriculum," Reported Cherie Garrett, the head of the World Language Department. While her basic job involves communication between administration and the department, like all Department Heads, Garrett has many more...

Jay Rexroth has been teaching for about 33 years but he has also been the chairperson for the Applied Arts Department for about nine years. Rexroth explained the role: "I'm sort of the conduit between Dr. Fletcher and our department. . . it's my job to take the information he gives us and make sure everybody in my department is up to date." Rexroth also explained some of his basic responsibilities,...

The Counseling department is a little different than other departments at Dallastown as it is not staffed by teachers working on a curriculum. "This time of year we review scheduling.  We would have met just before the break and then after the break about the junior assemblies.  We do a power-point together. . . it's a lot of planning at certain times," Counseling Chair Bill Probert explained. Probert...

Robert Donatelli is in his third year as the Buisiness department chairperson after former department chair Mrs. Noble moved to counseling. "I was nominated by Dr. Fletcher to lead our department. . .An interview process usually happens with administration to get a new Department Chairperson.  My case was a unique situation because Mrs. Noble, former Department Chair moved onto guidance and the...

Greg Thoman is the Department Chair for both Health and Physical Education teachers and has only held the position for about two years, since Mrs. McKinney retired. He was a natural fit since he teaches both health and PE classes. Thoman explained, "I just help the phys ed programs, help with scheduling, ordering supplies at the end of the year, and just make sure everyone's running smoothly....