Teachers & Staff
The faculty and staff at Otto-Eldred Elementary School work as a team to provide a positive environment and a high-quality educational experience for every student. We are happy to discuss any concerns you may have to address individual needs. Please contact any member of our team; we'd love to get to know you better.
Administration
Lindsay Burns
Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
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Biography
About Lindsay Burns
Mrs. Burns serves as the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education. Mrs. Burns focuses her efforts on state requirements set forth under Chapter 14 (Special Education), Chapter 15 (504 Service Agreements) and Chapter 16 (Gifted Education). Further Mrs. Burns serves as the Homeless Liaison, Foster Care Liaison, and Act 1 Point of Contact. Mrs. Burns is the district transportation coordinator and oversees all student services, which includes cooperative professional relationships with outside agencies.
Mrs. Burns graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education in 2005. She continued her education at Edinboro University where she completed her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership (2010) and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (2021). Mrs. Burns holds certification in Elementary Education, Special Education, Administration K-12, Supervision of Special Education K-12, and Superintendency. Mrs. Burns has worked within the Otto-Eldred School District since 2005.
Mrs. Burns resides in Bradford with her husband, Corey, and their two children, Cooper and Beckett.
Nichole M. Garthwaite
Elementary Principal
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Biography
About Nichole M. Garthwaite
- B.A. in social sciences from University of Pittsburgh
- Elementary education certification
- M.A. in teaching from Marygrove College
- Master's in education (educational leadership) from Edinboro University
- Professional certifications include: Pennsylvania elementary education (K-6), Pennsylvania mid-level English (7-9), Maryland certification in elementary education (1-6), Pennsylvania school administration principal certification (K-12)
Support Staff
Brheana Breese
Assistant Nurse (ES & HS)
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Biography
About Brheana Breese
Amy Coffman
Secretary to the Elementary Principal
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Biography
About Amy Coffman
- Eight years at Otto-Eldred Elementary School
- Five years as a kindergarten aide
- Three years as an attendance secretary
Kera Hendershot
School Counselor
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Biography
About Kera Hendershot
Cameron Magee
Behavioral Specialist
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Biography
About Cameron Magee
Nicole Rhinehart
Social Worker
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Biography
About Nicole Rhinehart
Lorinda Smith
Speech Therapist
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Biography
About Lorinda Smith
Mary Templin
Nurse
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Biography
About Mary Templin
- Graduate of Otto-Eldred Jr. Sr. High School
- RN degree from Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in nursing from University of Pittsburgh
- Certification in school nursing from University of Pittsburgh
- Master of science in nursing from Regis University
- Certification in health care education from Regis University
- Post-master's certificate in health promotion and wellness from California University
Teachers
A-C
Valerie Archer
2nd Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Valerie Archer
- B.S. in elementary education with dual certification in early childhood education from Mansfield University
- M.S. in early childhood studies from Walden University
- Mother of four with over 15 years teaching experience
Katie Barrett
Music Teacher
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Biography
About Katie Barrett
Valerie Blauser
6th Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Valerie Blauser
- B.S. in education from Indiana University of PA
- Master's in science education from Clarion University
- 18 years of teaching experience
Rachel Burkhouse
Librarian
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Biography
About Rachel Burkhouse
- Began teaching at Otto-Eldred Elementary School in 2014
- Bachelor of Science in early level education from the University of Pittsburgh
- Master of Library and Information Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania certified pre-k–4
- Pennsylvania certified library science pre-k–12
Lauren Chase
Pre-K Teacher
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Biography
About Lauren Chase
Nicole Cochran
3rd Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Nicole Cochran
D-K
Amber DeCorte
Band Director
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Biography
About Amber DeCorte
Scott Flexman
S.T.E.M. Teacher
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Biography
About Scott Flexman
- Over 20 years of teaching experience
Diane Gardner
1st Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Diane Gardner
- B.S. in geology from University of Louisiana
- Elementary education certification from University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
- Education Student of the Year (2004)
- 12 years teaching at Otto-Eldred Elementary School (grades 1 and 3)
- Adjunct professor in geology at Jamestown Community College
Karen Givan
2nd Grade
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Biography
About Karen Givan
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood/elementary education from Mercyhurst University
- Master's degree in reading specialist from Saint Bonaventure University
- Otto-Eldred for 16 years - ten years as a title 1 reading specialist, three years as a kindergarten teacher, and three years teaching 2nd grade
- Proud mom of two amazing boys!
Nicole Graham
Emotional Support Teacher
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Biography
About Nicole Graham
- Bachelor of science in elementary education from St. Bonaventure University
- Master of science in special education/gifted education from St. Bonaventure University
- Four years teaching K-6 emotional support
- Pennsylvania N-12 special education certification
Shannon Kio
4th Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Shannon Kio
- Graduated from Port Allegany High School
- Bachelor's degree in human relations/elementary from University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
- Master's degree in reading from Edinboro University
- Master's degree in science from Walden University
- Reading specialist certificate
- 12 years teaching experience
L-Q
Teri Lucas
Learning Support Teacher
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Biography
About Teri Lucas
- Bachelor of science in special education (K-12) from Slippery Rock University
- Master's in teaching and curriculum from Penn State
- Master's equivalency 29 years teaching experience from East Stroudsburg University
Mary Mahar-Yoder
Kindergarten Teacher
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Biography
About Mary Mahar-Yoder
- Bachelor's and master's in elementary education from St. Bonaventure University
- 30 credits continuing education from East Stroudsburg University
- 18 years teaching full-time
- One-and-a-half years substitute teaching
Tammy Maxson
Art Teacher
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About Tammy Maxson
Michelle McNett
Physical Education Teacher
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Biography
About Michelle McNett
Kirsten Perry
5th Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Kirsten Perry
- Liberal arts degree from Jamestown Community College
- Elementary education degree from Slippery Rock University of PA
- 20 years teaching experience
R-Z
Tammy Reitler
6th Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Tammy Reitler
- Otto-Eldred HS graduate
- B.S. degree in elementary and early childhood education from Clarion University of PA
- M.S. degree in science education from Clarion University of PA
- 21 years teaching experience
Ursula Rosenswie
5th Grade
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Biography
About Ursula Rosenswie
- Bachelor of science in elementary education from Mansfield University
- Master of education in curriculum and instruction from Gannon University
Tammy Schenfield
4th Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Tammy Schenfield
Megan Sherwood
Learning Support Teacher
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Biography
About Megan Sherwood
- B.S. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
- Education certified in early childhood education (Pre-K-4), elementary education (5 & 6), and special education (N-12)
- Currently teaching students with special needs (K-6)
Melanie Splain
Kindergarten Teacher
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Biography
About Melanie Splain
- Bachelor of arts in elementary education from Alfred University
- Master of science in childhood literacy from St. Bonaventure University
Jim Stuck
1st Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Jim Stuck
- B.S. from Lock Haven University
- M.S. from Gannon University
- 21 years teaching experience at Otto-Eldred
Amber Sudbrook
3rd Grade Teacher
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Biography
About Amber Sudbrook
Amanda Tanner
Learning Support Teacher
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About Amanda Tanner
Aides
Technology
Cafeteria
Chris Krott
Food Service Director
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Biography
About Chris Krott
Val Nichols
Kitchen Manager
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Biography
