Education: Bachelors, Elementary Education with Elementary K-6 and Mathematics 7-12 teaching certificates

In QCSD: 9-12 Mathematics

Previously: Mathematics, Palisades High School; LifeWorks School, Doylestown

Fun things: Running, softball, soccer and spending time with family and friends

Why did you become a teacher?: “I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. I’ve always enjoyed helping friends and classmates succeed in their courses, and now seeing my students succeed.”

Education: Millersville University

In QCSD: 9-12 Mathematics

Previously: Mathematics, Central Bucks School District

Fun things: Hiking, boating, fishing

Why did you become a teacher?: “I love working with people and teaching them new things.”

Education: Bachelors, Mid-Level Education, Math concentration, Millersville University

In QCSD: Spanish, Pfaff and Quakertown Elementary

Previously: Math Learning Support, Sixth Grade Center

Fun things: Watching Philadelphia Eagles football, Reading “Game of Thrones” series, going to Applebee’s with friends for half-price appetizers

Why did you become a teacher?: “I wanted to become a teacher in order to make a difference in students’ lives, and be a positive influence for young learners as they grow.”

In QCSD: First grade

Previously: Reading specialist at Pfaff, Strayer, Tohickon Valley; reading specialist in Bethlehem and Philadelphia

Fun things: Reading, exercising, travel, photography, scrapbooking

Why did you become a teacher?: "I want to inspire children to learn. Especially to read!"

Education: Bachelor of Science, Secondary Social Studies Education, Biblical Studies, Cairn University

In QCSD: High School Social Studies

Previously: Social Studies, English, Berks Christian School; Social Studies, Poinciana High School, Kissimmee, FL; Social Studies, Executive Education Academy Charter School, Allentown

Fun things: Reading, cooking, Kombucha making, fermenting foods

Why did you become a teacher?: “I had lots of amazing teachers in high school who helped me figure out what I needed and wanted to do in life.”

In QCSD: First grade at Quakertown Elementary

Previously: Quarles Elementary, Winchester, Va.; Renaissance Academy Charter School, Phoenixville; James Burd Elementary, Shippensburg

Fun things: Reading, running

Why did you become a teacher?: "I always wanted to become a teacher. When I was young, the teachers I had inspired me to be like them. When I got older, I found myself working with children a lot, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Now, I love to watch the excitement kids have when they enjoy learning."

Dan Cubbage, who will be a senior when classes begin at Quakertown Community High School on September 4th, qualified as an Eagle Scout this summer, the highest achievement attainable with the Boy Scouts of America.

Dan, who comes from a Scouting family, said his father and two other brothers, Ronjon and Matt, were “role models” for his interest in Scouting, and they helped him “develop a passion for the outdoors.”

“The process to become an Eagle Scout is really unique,” said Dan, a member of the high school chorus and frequent volunteer at school events. “The first couple of years you learn outdoor skills, like how to build a fire. Then, as you continue, they develop your leadership abilities, your moral compass and help you become a well-rounded individual. Then you give back by teaching the younger Scouts to become a leader.”

Dan completed all 21 merit badges, including the Service Project that benefits the community. His project was to build a bench along the mile-long walking trail that's part of the Milford Township Park System. The bench, which converts into a table, was only part of his effort. Dan also built five bird houses and cleaned up trash along the trail.

He described the Eagle Scout achievement as “very emotional. I’m the first Eagle Scout in my family. My true belief is that people build Eagle Scouts. My accomplishment is a reflection and a reminder of everyone who helped me along the way. That’s what the program is all about.”

Christopher Polk’s Advanced Chef’s Camp began on a Monday, and two days later the Quakertown Community High School educator had his students ready to cook and serve diners at “Panther on Park,” a pop up restaurant across the hall from his cooking lab.

“It’s crazy,” Polk said after the event, which was aired by WFMZ Channel 69 reporter Jamie Stover. “I just met these kids two days ago.”

They executed a menu that included a salad, caprese flatbread, surf & turf with vegetables and potatoes, and crème brûlée. Reviews from the district employees who sampled the cuisine said the dishes were outstanding.

“It was really impressive, pretty darn amazing what they put together,” said Terry San Angelo, an administrative assistant in the Office of Teaching and Learning. “Someone described it as good as a five-star restaurant. I’d have to agree. It was really good.”

For more on the event, please click here.

If you were to build an executive director for a technical school, Jeff Sweda might be the optimum prototype.

The Upper Bucks County Technical School’s new leader is a graduate of Hazleton Senior High School and Hazleton Area Vocational Technical School, where he excelled in both academic and vocational education, while also working for Marchetti Plumbing and Heating as he became dual certified in plumbing and HVAC.

That’s on top of playing high school football and wrestling. Sweda later played semi-pro football for the Pottstown Bandits, wrestled at Millersville University, coached high school wrestling and was elected to the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame for his prowess as a grappler.

He earned a degree in education from Temple University, where he also received his vocational directors certificate and K-through-12 certification. Sweda has a masters of education in curriculum and instruction from Bloomsburg University.

“I’m a living example of what vocational education can do for you if you have the drive,” he said. “I can speak to students about the path they need to take. I can speak to parents about what their students need to do to succeed. I went through it. We definitely want our kids today to have the opportunity to take or participate in all of the college prep classes, as well as learn a trade at our school."

For more on the new director, please click here.