Faculty and Staff
Our faculty members are Pennsylvania State certified teachers.
Sandy Elion (Teacher) has been a teacher for thirty-one years, twenty-eight of them at West Branch. She originally moved to Williamsport in order to enroll her children Nina and Jude in the school and a year later she became a teacher at West Branch. Sandy earned her Bachelor's degree in Child Development at Connecticut College for Women and her Master's in Education from the University of Iowa, not far from her childhood home. Positive research experiences in laboratory schools in college led directly to her love of West Branch School and its model of education. A competitive swimmer growing up who swam at nationals Sandy has always made the sport an important part of her life. She has coached age group and high school swimmers. Now she is in her twelfth year as an assistant coach in Bucknell University's Division I Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Team. Some of Sandy's other major interests are writing, literature, and art (paining, drawing, sculpture, and set design).
Steve Hulslander (Teacher) has been involved with West Branch from its inception. He started teaching in 1974 and has been an active participant wearing such hats as teacher, parent, president, and administrator. He and his wife Julie actually lived in the apartment connected to the school for over twenty years. They raised two daughters, Jessica and Emily who graduated from West Branch in 8th grade and 6th grade respectfully. He plays guitar and performs with the Morgan Valley Road Band, a local ragtime and swing band that has been together for thirty years. Steve has been seen on stage in numerous productions as a both singer and an actor. He is thrilled to see children of his former students attending West Branch.
Stacie
Lakatos (Teacher) is the mother of two children, both of whom
attended West Branch School. A graduate of St. Vincent College, she earned
her teaching certification at Lycoming College.
"Every child is unique. Each child comes to our school with his or her own background, experiences, perspectives and gifts. My goal is to honor that individuality and to challenge each child appropriately."
Julie Miller (Teacher) earned both her Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Lock Haven University. She is also a Reading Specialist. Julie lives in Mill Hall and is the mother of two, Shelby, who is 17 years old, and Logan, who is 23 years old.
Before teaching at West Branch School she taught at both a charter school and a public school. West Branch feels just like home to her and she loves the individuality, ideals, the nurturing atmosphere, and the positive communication and excitement of teaching at West Branch School. Her interests include reading (of course), watercolor painting, beachcombing, geocaching, and making powerpoint slideshows.
She also volunteers her time at the Clinton County Women's Center as a Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate.
Staff
Natali Prindle (Operations Manager)
Lea Frymire (After School Care Teacher/Director) holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Elizabethtown College and a masters equivalency in education. She has coordinated several theater and musical presentations in area churches as outreach programs. She previously worked in association with the Williamsport Area Community College (now Penn College) coordinating on and off campus presentations.
"For a little while, they're my kids! I get to shepherd, mother them, counsel, zip up jackets, collect ladybugs, feathers, special sticks, stones, leaves, in my jacket = large pocket (they know WHICH pocket) ... I get the neatest knock-knock joke connections, latest fictional works-in-progress read to me... Wow! I get the opportunity to occupy a space for a time in THEIR lives. That's a gift! (for me)"
