New Teacher Profiles

New Teacher Profiles

By Brie Betlejewski

Every year, Sterling High welcomes many new teachers to our school. This year we have the honor of accepting thirteen original educators into our Knights family! At this time, we would like to introduce our new faculty to the students, staff and community of Sterling.

Mrs. Cardella

          Mrs. Cardella should feel very close to home while attending Sterling’s staff since she is from right around the corner: Blackwood, New Jersey. She attended West Chester University and is our new Spanish teacher. Mrs. Cardella is extremely excited to bring the Spanish language to our school in her own, unique way. She hopes to inform her students on the diversity of different cultures and the exquisiteness behind it all.  “What is different is beautiful,” states Mrs. Cardella. Not only has she traveled to a few different countries, but she has also taught in them as well; furthermore, beauty in her eyes is the variety of her students and the culture she teaches.

Ms. Diduch

          Ms. Diduch is greatly needed in our Sterling staff, for she is the new School Psychologist. Her education at Rowan University was completed with undergraduate and graduate studies. She especially likes handling high school students because helping teenagers transition into adulthood gives her great gratitude. Ms. Diduch almost always feels respected from her students; however, she does not appreciate when they are late or don’t show for her appointments without cause. Also, she cannot wait to hear what this year’s seniors say about their class trip, given that her favorite memory from high school was her twelfth grade trip to Disney.

Mr. Ferraro

          Our new Media Specialist, Mr. Ferraro, graduated from Long Island University and is very enthusiastic about his job. Helping and working with high school students fulfills his passion of educating. “I hope that I can help them transition from high school to college, and beyond, as painlessly as possible; and maybe offer them a positive outlook on the future and everything that they are capable of,” states Mr. Ferraro when asked how he would like to impact his students’ lives. As obvious as this is, this teacher loves his profession; nevertheless, he loathes disrespect. Mr. Ferraro believes that everyone in the classroom should treat each other with the same respect, or keep their bad attitude to themselves.

Mr. Howey

          Mr. Howey, Sterling’s new guidance counselor, graduated and received his Master's degree from Wilmington University. As a counselor, he hopes to assist his students with applying to colleges, corresponding with other classmates, and helping with any personal problems he can. “I hope to motivate students in ascertaining their inner strengths and abilities and discovering what truly inspires them.” In addition, Mr. Howey is here to support his own colleagues with anything they might need.

Ms. Minuto

          Before coming to Sterling and teaching both physical education and health, Ms. Minuto attended Rowan University where she obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She loves enlightening her students with healthy tips and activities. Also, she anticipates on teaching excellent ways to stay active and keep a healthy lifestyle. “I can’t do it” is never a way to answer Ms. Minuto. She believes that everyone is capable of being fit. “I remind students that as long as you have desire and dedication you can succeed at anything”. Ms. Minuto is excited to watch her students grow and someday graduate, for graduation day was her greatest high school memory.

Mr. O'Donnell

          Mr. O’Donnell went to Lock Haven University where he became certified in physical education.  This year he is our Internal School Suspension (ISS) monitor. When teaching phys. Ed, he made sure to encourage students to stay healthy and positive. He promoted the proper way to be active by staying fit both in and out of school. Mr. O’Donnell plans to help his students in any way possible: with their academics, individual difficulties, and even challenges that they will face after leaving high school. While being an ISS monitor, his biggest pet peeve became students’ excuses of why they were sent. He hopes students will own up to their mistakes and know not to make them again.

Mr. Stanko

          Mr. Stanko is quite a distance from his home state of Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University and is our new history teacher at Sterling. His classes include both World History and Justice in America. His expectations of students who pass his classes are understandings of present current issues and the previous history of our country. Mr. Stanko also wants to persuade his students to have pride in themselves with anything they want to achieve.  Although he loves teaching, he can not stand when students text during his lesson –“Technology is good, but it can get in the way of learning.”

Ms. Stine

          Ms. Stine, a new science teacher at Sterling, is originally from Toms River, New Jersey and is a recent graduate of The College of New Jersey. She can’t wait to watch her students grow throughout the years and absorb the information she teaches them. Ms. Stine always puts her students first and will always be there for them in a time of need. Just like Mr. Stanko, her biggest pet peeve is when her students text in class. She states that she knows all the tricks, because she tried to hide texting in high school as well.

Other New Staff

Mrs. Charlton - one on one aide

Mr. Wilczynski- one on one aide

Mrs. Eppright- Substance Abuse Coordinator

Ms. Ehret- Physical Education Teacher

Mr. Thomas- Attendance Officer

          I would like to give a special thanks to these teachers who gave me their personal information so I could compose a paragraph about each of them. I am speaking for all of us (the students, the staff, and the community), we are so privileged to accept you into our Knights family. Have a splendid first year at Sterling, and best wishes for many more in the future!