By HANNAH NIEDERRITER
Student contributor
In 2019, Cranberry High School has made significant strides towards superior education while also upgrading the environment in which students and staff develop. In order to do so, however, more hands were required to complete each task with the best results.
Shawn Deemer
Shawn Deemer (By Merissa McCoy/Student contributor)
With the departure of Elizabeth Daugherty, a new assistant principal was needed to fill her shoes; lo and behold, Shawn Deemer arrived. For his new position, Deemer spends a sizable amount of time working out curriculum with other instructors, dealing with student discipline, and any other daily tasks Principal Ritt Smith may throw his way. When he first visited Cranberry back in May 2019, he felt that both students and staff alike seemed welcoming, with beaming smiles on their faces.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere to come to,” Deemer explained.
Overall, Deemer is enjoying every day, and is most looking forward to working as a “Berry” by making connections with each student and teacher.
Kylee Callander
Kylee Callander (By Merissa McCoy/Student contributor)
Kylee Callander, a former student teacher at Cranberry, is a life skills teacher for students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. She is in charge of covering all life skills subjects, such as culinary arts and laundry. As previously mentioned, she completed her student teaching with social studies teacher Patrick Irwin a few years prior. Upon hearing about an opening for her current position, she contacted him once more to discuss her interest. Callander finds the change of her previous mascot (the Falcons) to a Cranberry Berry quite amusing, but is happy to be here among the school’s cheerful, welcoming community.
“My big goal this year is to be kind. Kids aren’t always kind to each other, and I want them to see the potential in everyone, disability or not,” Callander stated. “I have to make a difference with the kids.”
Julie Crate
Julie Crate (By Merissa McCoy/Student contributor)
Julie Crate has been employed in the Cranberry School District for a total of sixteen years as an elementary teacher, but felt the need to take on a new position of what she describes as a “reading specialist.” Currently, she teaches two courses of Read 180, along with two other basic and intermediate reading classes. From time to time, she acts as a push-in while also dealing with any resource issues. Crate enjoyed her time as a “Berry” with the younger kids, but is looking forward to having more in-depth discussions, participating in themed Fridays, and attending high school sporting events.
Crate elaborated by saying, “I’d have to say I’m most looking forward to student success. I hope they (students) will have a better feel for reading as they move along after my classes.”
Amy Shambaugh
Amy Shambaugh (By Merissa McCoy/Student contributor)
Amy Shambaugh acts as a speech, language, and ESL (English Second Language) teacher at the high school. She is tasked with providing all speech and language services at CHS, such as articulation and grammar. Shambaugh grew up in the Cranberry School District, so while the idea of being a “Berry” isn’t unfamiliar, it drew her to the position she currently holds.
“I have a fondness for kids in this community, probably more so by working here as opposed to other school districts. People here are more than just colleagues and students; they’re friends and neighbors,” said Shambaugh.
Shambaugh is pleased to continue working with the students and plans to make a difference along the way.
Hannah Niederriter and Merissa McCoy are students at Cranberry High School and members of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
