She graduated from Penn State University in 1989 and shortly after started being a substitute teacher. After some long term substitute jobs, she was hired in 1992. At the end of this school year, her teaching years will come to an end as she is going to be retiring.

Dugan said that she has been on a school schedule since she started school at the age of five. After she graduated high school, she went straight into college and after college, she started teaching. So she is definitely looking forward to not having to follow a school schedule. She actually already has a beach trip planned in September, so she can be at the beach, while everyone else has to go back to school.

But Dugan also also has parts of teaching and people that she will miss after retiring.

“I will miss the wonderful people that I’ve worked with. I have been blessed to be surrounded by amazing teachers. They have been wonderful people that were not just co-workers, they were friends and many of them were like family, and I’m going to miss seeing them and having my coffee and chatting with them in the mornings,” said Dugan.

Dugan says that once she retires she will still be the assistant director for the drama club at the high school, but that she would also like to read and travel more.

And as some last words of advice for other up and coming teachers or just others in general.

“If you see someone doing something that is really great, go ahead and steal that idea. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Every time I go to a different building, watch a different teacher teach, or go to a workshop, there is always something I can steal and bring back to my own classroom. So steal away,” Dugan said.

Koehle said one of the things he is looking forward to once he retires is being able to travel more, and do a lot of the things he’s had to put on a list that he can’t get to because of working.

“I like to do home improvement projects around the house, as well as getting to visit family that live in Georgia, since I don’t get to see them a lot because of how long it takes to get there. So I’m looking forward to being able to visit them more often,” said Koehle.

With all those years of teaching and being a principal, Koehle has made a lot of memories along the way.

Koehle said, “My favorite memory from being a principal is probably my first year as a principal. When my daughter was in ninth grade, I was the ninth grade principal, so that was pretty special to me.”

Teaching wise Koehle said his favorite memory is the last year he taught at Roosevelt Junior High School. He had really good students that made his year super interesting and fun.

Lastly, Koehle leaves off on some words of advice for up and coming eighth grade principal Jason Hatch.

“Try not to get to worked up about anything. It’s not good for your physical health. Take time to do things that relieve stress, and try to be as firm, fair and as consistent as you can,” said Koehle.

“The kids were wonderful,” said Mackereth.

After retirement, Mackereth wants to travel when school is in session over the next couple years.

Mackereth says she’s really going to miss the people who she worked with and the routine.

Over those years, she has advice for any upcoming educators.

“Always remember to tell them they will make a difference,”  Mackereth said.

Mackereth said that what makes teaching worthwhile is just knowing that teachers are helping someone become the person they will be in the future.

“It’s just amazing,” said Mackereth.

She says what she’ll miss most are the students and their different personalities.

She also said she really enjoyed working with her co-workers.

When she’s not teaching, Hatch loves spending time with her family. She also likes being able to do what she wants, when she wants.

“It’s important to take care of yourself and your time,” Hatch said.

She added one of her favorite things is seeing former students successful.

Attention any student athlete who is planning to participate in a fall sport for the 25/26 school year.   Fall physicals will be held in the AAJHS training room Thursday May 29th at 3pm.

Any 6th and 7th grader interested in playing football in the fall should attend an informational meeting today in Cafeteria 1. The meeting will be right after announcements.

Attention girls going into 7th and 8th grade interested in playing volleyball: There will be an informational meeting today after school in Mrs. Rupp’s room, room 339. You should have a ride there to pick you up by 3:10. If you are unable to make the meeting, please email Coach Fasolo with any questions.

This is a reminder that the Fitness Room will continue to be open after school for students every day.  The last day for students to visit the Fitness Room after school will be Thursday, May 29.  Thank you, and keep fit!

Attention Girls and Boys in grades 6 through 8th grade who are interested in running boys or girls cross country this fall and joining the teams this summer.

You are reminded that physicals are on Thursday, May 29, at 3 p.m., at the AAJHS training room. They will have copies of the physical form that need to be signed by Dr. Scharf. The rest of the registration will be done via the Arbiter website. Please be sure to complete this physical as part of the summer training and fall participation in Boys’ or Girls’ Cross Country.

Tomorrow’s countdown to summer dress down theme is summer sports day! Wear your favorite baseball or basketball team jersey! Your 1st period teachers will submit your names for the prize drawing at the end of the day!

Attention any student athlete who is planning to participate in a fall sport for the 25/26 school year.   Fall physicals will be held in the AAJHS training room Thursday May 29th at 3pm.

Any 6th and 7th grader interested in playing football in the fall should attend an informational meeting on Tuesday May 27th in Cafeteria 1. The meeting will be right after announcements.”

This is a reminder that the Fitness Room will continue to be open after school for students every day.  The last day for students to visit the Fitness Room after school will be Thursday, May 29.  Thank you, and keep fit!

Tuesday starts the countdown to summer dress down! The first day is USA day so wear your red, white and blue! Your 1st period teachers will submit your names for the prize drawing at the end of the day!

Attention any student athlete who is planning to participate in a fall sport for the 25/26 school year.   Fall physicals will be held in the AAJHS training room Thursday May 29th at 3pm.

Attention students at AAJHS! Next week is the last week of school! Let’s celebrate with some fun summer themed dress down days! If you participate, your name will be put in to win a prize at the end of each day!

Here are the days:

Tuesday May 27th – USA day – Wear red, white and blue!

Wednesday May 28th – Summer Sports day – wear your favorite baseball or basketball team jersey!

Thursday May 29th – Wear amusement park attire – wear a park t-shirt, like DelGrosso’s, Hershey, Disney, etc.

Friday May 30th – Summer Vacation day – wear a Hawaiian shirt or bright colors and sunglasses!

 ATTENTION 6th and 7th Grade students:

Any current 6th or 7th grader interested in joining Speech League next year should come to Room 410 during Leader in Me this Friday, May 23rd for an informational meeting with Mrs. Palilla and Mrs. Hallinan. The club is hoping to reenter the competitive world of forensics next fall, but we need YOU to make it happen. This is a great opportunity if you want to hone your speaking skills as well as experiment with performing various genres of literature. Mark your calendar – we look forward to seeing you there!

Hatch went to school to become a teacher, but he went to work in the restaurant industry after only a few years of teaching. After many years, he came back to teaching and applied to be the new eighth grade principal after the current principal Jerry Koehle retires.

Hatch is looking forward to this new opportunity and improving school life.

“I hope to continue what Mr. Koehle has already done,” Hatch says. “I also hope to increase attendance, discipline and give more support to students that need it.”

Hatch had to do a lot of work to prepare for his new position as eighth grade principal.

Hatch says, “I had to take a 40 credit program through Saint Francis University, complete an internship for 360 hours, take an exam, shadow a special education supervisor and an elementary school principal, and I had to do multiple school wide projects.”

It’s safe to say that Hatch will make a great assistant principal in the coming years!