Kiski Area's new curriculum director eager to help students 'reach their full potential'
A new curriculum-related position with a federal focus has been added to the lineup of administrative jobs in Kiski Area School District.
Emily Mather is the new director of curriculum and instruction and the director of federal programs.
Her annual salary is $110,000.
Mather began the new job July 1.
She oversees federally funded programs in the district, including pandemic-related Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Kiski Area recieved $731,649 in total ESSER II funds as of July.
Mather said her main goal is to support team and stakeholders in the development and ongoing review of both horizontal and vertical alignment, while keeping student success at the forefront.
“Our goal is to create opportunities for students to reach their full potential and pursue their own passions along the way,” Mather said.
Vertical alignment is an educational term used when educators teach the same content area across grade levels, and horizontal alignment is when teachers at the same grade level organize together to coordinate learning activities.
One example is the Professional Learning Communities used in all six schools in the district.
“KASD takes pride in building a strong community. I’m excited to work with all stakeholders to continue building our vision of a positive school culture,” Mather said.
This summer, Mather implemented a new summer learning program, the Go Cavs Summer Literacy & Math Camp, a free monthlong program for students in grades one and two.
About 40 students participated.
Mather, 40, grew up in West Deer and resides in Pine Township with her husband and two sons.
Linda Montgomery, a Title I reading specialist at Kiski Area South Primary, said she is excited to be working with Mather.
“From a curriculum point of view, we (the teachers) have been working diligently on horizontal alignment amongst the other buildings in the district.”
Mather graduated from West Virginia University, where she competed in gymnastics.
At WVU, she earned two master’s degrees in elementary education and reading.
She received her principal’s certification from Westminster College and is certified in K-12 technology and N-3 early childhood.
She previously worked in Freedom Area and Chartiers Valley school districts.
Her hobbies include cheering on her sons at their numerous sporting events, reading and golf.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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