The Brown and White

CHS welcomed many new faces at the start of the 2019-20 school year. Kelly Robertson, Alexander Hess and Meghan Hinkle were recently hired by district, while Kyle Davies, Eamon Murray, and Johnathan Kiefer, already known in the district, took on new responsibilities this year. 

Robertson was approved in June as an English teacher and is teaching English to grades 10, 11 and 12. She studied at Penn State University before transferring and finishing at James Madison University. Prior to landing a full-time position at Catty, she was a long-term substitute teacher at Parkland. Senior Emily Miller really enjoys being in Robertson’s class. 

“She’s really outgoing,” said Miller. “We are always super engaged in the topics we’re learning. She makes them exciting to learn. We are always doing something that’s interactive in class, which helps me learn better.”

In Robertson’s free time, she coaches volleyball, basketball and track and field. When she is not coaching, she loves to hang out with her dogs.

With the retirement of former Physics teacher James Schaffer, Alexander Hess stepped in to fill the vacancy. He graduated from Shippensburg with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and also got his master’s degree in chemistry. He previously taught eighth grade physical science at James Buchanan Middle School and now teaches physics and chemistry at CHS. Senior Priscilla Schaller really likes having Hess as a teacher. 

“He was given an honors class and it ended up being just two other girls and myself,” said Schaller. “With only three of us, we have gotten into a routine, and now it’s one of my favorite classes. Mr. Hess is really good at helping me with anything. He knows how to resolve the issue and make it more clear.” 

Hess likes to travel and be outdoors. He also welcomed his first child, Autumn, on September 16.

Hinkle was hired to replace long-time gym teacher Dianne Galm, who retired at the end of the 2017-18 school year. She graduated from Penn State and taught at various schools before landing a position at Catty. She teaches Freshman Physical Education, Recreation Lifetime Physical Activities and Team Sports. Sophomore Hannah Kurczeski who has her for team sports thinks she’s a great addition to CHS. In her free time, she likes to golf and crochet.

“Mrs. Hinkle is both a very sweet and very knowledgeable teacher, and she really puts effort into getting to know her students,” said Kurczeski. “She fits in so well here.” 

With History teacher Alexis Sziy on an educational sabbatical, Davies has taken over her courses for the year as a long-term substitute teacher. Davies was previously the full-time substitute at the high school. The 2015 Moravian College graduate taught with Sziy and has also worked at Saucon Valley. He is currently teaching Intro to Social Sciences, American History, World Cultures and Current Events. In his free time he likes to read and complete fill-in puzzles. He also follows the Green Bay Packers and Indycar Racing. 

The high school added an additional emotional support teacher to the special education department. Murray, also known as “the other Mr. Murray,” worked for many years in the building as a Multiple Disabilities Behavior teacher for CLIU. Murray graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree and got his masters at DeSales University. In his free time, he likes to help out with School of Rock that takes place during activity days and he also likes to help coach Northampton’s ice hockey team.

After eight years at the middle school, long-time teacher Jonathan Kiefer moved back up to the high school where he is now teaching Career Skills and Accounting. Kiefer has been teaching for 20 years, 16 of those years have been spent working for CASD. Junior Alex Treiber is glad to have Kiefer again in highschool. 

“I had him back in eighth grade so I’m glad to have him again,” said Treiber. “His teaching style is the same. He’s very helpful and engaging in class, he definitely makes it interesting.”

Kiefer has enjoyed returning to the high school.

“I am thrilled to be back at CHS,” said Kiefer. “The high school was my original home when starting in Catasauqua, so it is great to be back with some of the colleagues I had worked with.”