Pair of longtime teachers reflect on meaningful aspects of their jobs at Kiski Area East Primary School
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Two Kiski Area elementary teachers have “ruled the school” for a combined 67 years.
Sharon Komandt and Mary Emanuelson are the district’s most tenured educators. Both teach at Kiski Area East Primary School in Vandergrift.
Komandt, a reading specialist, has been a teacher for 32 years with deep roots in the district. She’s not only a Kiski Area High School graduate, but also a second-geneneration Kiski Area teacher. Both of her parents taught in the district.
“They taught me to have a strong work ethic and be respectful of others. They’ve been wonderful role models for me,” said Komandt, who sometimes answers to “Mrs. Kmart” by students trying to pronounce her surname.
“I tell them, ‘I wish I was,’ ” said Komandt, 58, who was raised in Avonmore and now lives in Delmont.
Emanuelson, 57, who grew up in Bell Township and lives in Allegheny Township, brings 35 years of teaching experience to her first grade classroom. She said there’s never a dull moment when educating youngsters.
Emanuelson recalled a surprising first-day-of-school memory at the former Bell Elementary School.
“A little boy raised his hand and told me something was beside his desk,” Emanuelson said. “I told him to pick it up and show me. He said ‘NO!’ ”
Investigating the little boy’s refusal to follow instruction, Emanuelson discovered the item by the boy was a baby black snake.
“I had the kids evacuate the room, took a box and scooped up the snake and walked outside and let it go into the woods,” Emanuelson said. “I’m sure that’s a first day he’s never forgotten.”
Komandt said retirement is not on her radar anytime soon.
“I’m in a good spot,” she said of her position as a reading specialist, where she instructs about 40 students each school day.
“Seeing the growth that students make in their reading and seeing how proud they are with the success they’ve made makes me say, ‘This is so worth it,’ ” Komandt said.
Komandt earned her elementary and early childhood education degree from Clarion University and a master’s degree from Kent State University.
Emanuelson graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in early childhood and elementary education.
Both women said teaching during a pandemic has been less than ideal and unlike anything they’ve experienced in their long careers.
“Teaching virtual was both scary and challenging for me. I learned a lot about Chromebooks and Google Classroom,” Emanuelson said. “When I started teaching, we didn’t have computers in our classrooms.”
Reflecting on the challenge of teaching during the covid era, Komandt said: “I’m concerned for my safety as well as the safety of others. Not only do I need to teach, but I have to consider so many other factor’s in today’s world.”
In 2005, Komandt was named Kiski Area’s Teacher of the Year.
Emanuelson welcomed the return to in-person instruction this year.
“Children need to be in school,” she said. “There are too many distractions at home, and it makes it hard for them to focus on the lesson.”
Emanuelson said teaching first graders is the most rewarding, after also having taught kindergarten and fourth grade.
“Watching a student learn to read their first book or sentence is amazing,” Emanuelson said. “I always wanted to be a teacher from as far back as I could remember.”
Teacher/student success stories are the stuff of teachers’ dreams, and Emanuelson said the success of one first grader named Michael stays with her.
“Michael struggled with learning, but he worked hard every day,” Emanuelson said.
Michael decided to participate in a music program and stepped up to the microphone to sing.
“He had such a beautiful voice,” Emanuelson said. “I had tears in my eyes. We’re all good at something, but we are not all good at everything.”
And there’s former student Fred, who, as a first grader, had never been in school before.
“The day he was able to read his first book was one of the best days in my career,” Emanuelson said. “He was so proud of himself he asked if he could take the book home to read it to his dad.”
Kiski Area East Primary Principal Pat Marchand said both teachers have left a “legacy” and have touched the lives of countless children in the district.
“Both found their calling early in life and followed their passions,” Marchand said. “Both teachers have always been active not only at East Primary, but in their home communities as well, giving their time freely to continue their impact with children, families and the Kiski Area School District community at large.”
Komandt has been married to her husband, Doug, for 36 years. They have an adult son and daughter, D.J. and Mary. Komandt enjoys traveling, reading and playing bingo.
Emanuelson is married to her husband, Roger, and they have two adult sons, Joshua and Matthew.
She said she plans to retire in the near future and looks forward to taking walks, reading and spending more time with family, especially her granddaughters.