Week of Nov. 12
Mt. Lebanon School District announced that Tina Raspanti, social studies teacher at the high school, has been named an “Unboxed Teacher” by Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Raspanti was nominated by superintendent Dr. Timothy Steinhauer for her innovation in the classroom and her leadership as the high school social studies department chair. “Ms. Raspanti actively seeks new ways to engage students and epitomizes the fine work our teachers do every day to help students achieve success,” said Dr. Steinhauer.
As department chair, Raspanti has worked with a team of cross-curricular teachers and administrators in creating a new Global Studies Program. “The combined experiences in this program will help our students become globally literate and engaged citizens,” Raspanti said. Student learning will be enriched as they explore critical global issues from different perspectives to gain an understanding of the interconnected approach needed to analyze global concerns. The Global Studies Program focuses on transferable skills through participation in a variety of school and community-based programs.
As one of seven winners in Allegheny County, Raspanti will attend Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s Unboxed Edges of Learning Conference at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Nov. 14-15, where winners will submit proposals for potential funding and present the results of their learning.
St. Clair Hospital has appointed Kim Edvardsson to its Board of Directors. Edvardsson is a corporate controller for EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. She also currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Mt. Lebanon Marching Band Builders. Edvardsson has previously sat on the Board for the Center for Theatre Arts.
She resides in Mt. Lebanon with her husband, Bo, and children, Hanna and Marcus.
Mary Amoroso, owner of Horses Unlimited in South Park, was honored in September as the Riding Instructor of the Month by The American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA). Amoroso was required to display a broad base of knowledge in general horse care, safety principals, ethics and value judgments, horsemanship teaching techniques and specific specialty knowledge for the style of riding she has been certified to teach. She is also a certified stable manager.
Amoroso was also honored in September by the Friends of South Park as the Friends’ very first “Friend of the Month.” In addition, she received her certification from Allegheny County as “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” and as a “Women Business Enterprise” in regards to riding lessons, pony rides, pony parties and pony camps. These certifications are for minorities and women in business, and to qualify business owners must submit the proper documents, have an on-site visit and a Q&A interview with the County representative.
Amoroso teaches beginner children, ages 4 and up, and hosts Pony Parties and Pony Camps at her stables in South Park.
Two new endowed chairs added at Duquesne University have been named in honor of Spiritan priests.
Inaugural chair holders Dr. Edward Kocher of Mt. Lebanon, professor and former dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music, as the William Patrick Power, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Academic Leadership, and Dr. Paula Witt-Enderby of Bethel Park, professor of pharmacology, as the Marie-Clement Rodier, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair were installed at the University’s Sept. 11 convocation.
Kocher served as dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music from 2000 through the 2013-2014 academic year. A nationally respected authority on music curricula in higher education, he is an accomplished trombonist and passionate advocate for the arts. Under his tenure, the school expanded its academic programs, establishing bachelors and masters degrees in music technology. Kocher, professor of music, focuses his current scholarship on using technology to teach improvisation, and continues to teach trombone and perform. His performance credits include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Bolshoi Ballet, Mannheim Steamroller, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
Witt-Enderby, who focuses much research on women’s issues, holds three patents related to breast cancer and bone implants. She has conducted the first two clinical trials in the world assessing the efficacy of melatonin alone or in combination with micronutrients to improve bone health and quality of life in peri- or post-menopausal women. Witt-Enderby’s training as a biochemist and molecular pharmacologist, and her study of melatonin receptors and cellular differentiation has allowed her to move her work from the bench to the bedside.
She began her career at Duquesne as assistant professor of pharmacology in 1996, achieving the rank of professor in 2008. Witt-Enderby has received excellence awards in teaching, scholarship, advising and service. She served as president of the Faculty Senate from 2004-2010.