Candy is a veteran of 27 years of teaching and holds certifications in English, Business, Computer and Information Technology, Gifted Program Specialist, and Instructional Technology Specialist. She has taught Instructional Technology as an adjunct faculty member for two colleges. She is also a Fellow of Penn State’s Capital Area Writers Project. Candy has been contributing to TeachersFirst since its inception in 1998 and has been full time since 2006.
Donna Benson, M.S. ED
Donna has been a teacher for over 20 years, with experience in all grade levels. She holds certifications in Family and Consumer Science and gifted education. She has held several offices in state and national associations for gifted education and regularly consults in legislative proceedings on gifted ed. Donna is a content contributor for gifted and regular ed projects for TeachersFirst.
Elaine R. Bergstresser, M.S.
Elaine is a teaching veteran of over 13 years and holds certifications in German, English, Business, Computer and Information Technology, and Instructional Technology Specialist. Elaine has written many site reviews for TeachersFirst.
Michele Casey, M.A.
Michele has been a teacher for 33 years, and she holds certification in Secondary Education/ Communication. She has also been a professional actor/stage manager for 26 years. She is a National Writing Fellow and professional speech writer. Michele is a site reviewer for TeachersFirst.
Peggy Jennings, Ed.D.
Peggy has been an educator for 27 years in both K-12 and college settings. She holds certification in secondary social studies and secondary school counseling. Peggy writes both site reviews and content for history and college planning for TeachersFirst and TeachersandFamilies.com. Peggy is also a historical re-enactor, so her love of history shows in much of her work for TeachersFirst.
Louise Maine, M.A.
Louise has been a teacher for 20 years in both middle and high school settings in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Virginia. She has also taught Methods in Science Education for pre-service teachers at WMU in MI. She holds certifications in Biology and General Science. She is currently involved in bringing the newest in technology and authentic instruction into her high school science classroom as a Pennsylvania Classrooms for the Future teacher. She is also a blogger and presenter of educational technology and instruction topics. Louise is a site reviewer for TeachersFirst and contributes many Edge reviews.
Alix E. Peshette, M.A.
Alix has been an educator for over 20 years, holding various positions as a classroom teacher and district-level technology training specialist. She holds certifications in K-12 Art, K-12 Social Studies, Computer Concepts and Applications, and Elementary Multiple Subjects. She is also a Google Certified Teacher, blogger, author and presenter on educational technology topics. Alix has written many site reviews for TeachersFirst.
Rhonda Phillips, M.A.
Rhonda has been a teacher for over 12 years, and she holds certifications as a reading specialist, elementary teacher, and special ed teacher. In addition to teaching reading to elementary students, she also prepares future educators by teaching reading as a university faculty member. As a writer (her other passion), her essays have appeared in several well-known anthologies. Rhonda is site reviewer for TeachersFirst.
Melissa Rivers, M. Ed.
Melissa has been teaching for 11 years. She holds certification in elementary education. Melissa is an editor and site reviewer for TeachersFirst. Melissa heads the research/writing team for Globetracker's Mission and many upcoming projects on TeachersFirst and TeachersandFamilies.com.
Marsha Rohrbaugh, B.S.
Marsha has been an educator for 13 years; she holds certifications in Elementary Education and Business, Computer, and Information Technology. Marsha contributes technology-infused lesson plans and templates for TeachersFirst.
Linda Ryan, M.S., M.A.
Linda has been an educator for 25 years. She is certified to teach ESL and career skills. She is also a web columnist for ESL and is both a site reviewer and ESL content expert for TeachersFirst. Linda compiles curriculum-related reading lists for TeachersFirst and also contributes to TeachersandFamilies.com.
Trudy Saraiva, M.S.
Trudy has been an educator for over 29 years, with experience as both a teacher and administrator in Special Education. She holds certifications in Supervision and Cooperative Education. Her classroom experience includes teaching students with mental retardation, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, and emotional disturbance as well as working with these students on transition to life after high school. Trudy has also been a supervisor of programs in both special education and gifted education. Trudy is a content contributor and special ed consultant for TeachersFirst.
Erin B. Shively, J.D., M.P.P.
Erin is a recent graduate of Duke University School of Law and The Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University. She is currently a clerk for the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington, DC. Erin is the author of TeachersFirst “Defining Middle Eastern Borders” resource, and she has created several of our “instantly available” Harry Potter study guides.
