Mercyhurst Prep-Social Studies Department

Social Studies Department

SOCIAL STUDIES
Name	Email	Telephone Number
Frank Amicucci	famicucci@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Sean Baer	sbaer@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Douglas Bakka	dbakka@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Carla Betti Department Chair	cbetti@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Deborah Kooser	dkooser@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2210
Arthur Martone	amartone@mpslakers.com	(814) 824-2063

Carla Betti, Social Studies Chair 35 years teaching experience – 35 years at MPS	B.A. Niagara University Secondary Ed./Social Studies M.A. Equivalency from State of Pennsylvania Advisor for the Class of 2014 Advisor for Women in Motion MPS representative for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Completed Project TEACH, a three- year professional development program for American History teachers that included travel to historical sites in Pennsylvania Attended Taft Institute for Teachers Attended Mercy Leadership Institute Traveled to USSR, Germany, Italy, United Nations, Washington DC with students Cooperating teacher for numerous student teachers and practicum students Worked with The Gannon Program for Teacher Preparedness Former Student Government leader Twice named “Teacher of the Year” Served on the Western PA Conservancy Steering Committee for Lake Pleasant Preservation Member of the National Honor Society for High School Teachers Former Academic Challenge Coach Earned grant from Erie Community Foundation 2009 Golden Apple Award winner Teaching Assignment: Modern American History-H, Modern American History-CP, Americas-H, and Americas-CP

Frank Amicucci, 37 years teaching experience – 27 years at MPS	B.A. Gannon University M.A. Edinboro University Drivers Safety Teaching Certificate – Indiana University Varsity Men’s soccer coach 1981-1999 Former Social Studies teacher at Blessed Sacrament School 1974-1979 Principal at Holy Rosary in Johnsonburg – 1980 -1981 Former MPS Social Studies chair Teaching Assignment: World Cultures-MPS PreIB/H and World Cultures-CP

Sean Baer, 8 years teaching experience – 8 years at MPS	1999 Mercyhurst Prep Graduate BA Gannon University Secondary Ed/Social Studies Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Boys Basketball Camp Director Class of 2013 Advisor Past Chaperone, Anne Ryan Memorial Mission Trip Served on Middle States Accreditation for Growth Evaluation Team SMART Technology Certified Part-Time Millcreek Township Police Dispatcher Teaching Assignment: Government/Economics-CP, Sports & Society, Global Issues, and Zulama

Douglas Bakka, 17 years teaching experience – 17 years at MPS	Finance Degree from John Carroll University and Teaching Certificate from Mercyhurst College International Baccalaureate History teacher Moderator for the History Club and Finance Club Completed Project TEACH, a three- year professional development program for American History teachers that included travel to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Attended “Best Practice” IB Teacher Workshops: Levels I and II in Toronto Interned with PA Historical and Museum Commission – Brig Niagara Graduate course work: Achieving Student Outcomes Through Cooperative Learning and Teaching the Skills of the 21st Century Earned National and National Youth coaching certifications from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coaching Director for the Junior Admirals Soccer Program Head Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer team Inducted into the Circle of Mercy in 2009 Teaching Assignment: Senior World History-IB, Government-MPS PreIB/H, and Hollywood & History

Dr. Jamie Borowicz, Visual Art Department Chair 29 years teaching experience – 29 years at MPS	Earned a PhD in anthropology from the University of Buffalo in 2003 Spent five summers between 2002-2007 in Guatemala at the archaeological site of Tikal in northern Guatemala. He served as the “iconographic consultant/specialist” for the Proyecto Plaza de los Siete Templos, a multi-year excavation/restoration project run by a joint Guatemalan-Spanish team. He was the only foreign archaeologist invited on the team. Adjunct professor at Mercyhurst College since 1999 His archaeological drawings and articles have been published in Mexico, Guatemala, and the US. Chaired general session on the Maya at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeologists, Montreal, Canada Dr. Borowicz has exhibited his art in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Delaware. Participated in the NCTA group and traveled to China in 2004 Participated in the NEH study group in Italy in 1999 Teaching Assignment: Art History-IB/H & CP, Art History Non-Western, and Anthropology

Deborah Kooser, 35 years teaching experience – 21 years at MPS	Completed Project TEACH, a three- year professional development program for American History teachers that included travel to historical sites in Pennsylvania Cooperating teacher for numerous student teachers and practicum students Student Government moderator Faculty Service Award receipient Spirit Squad moderator IB Social Studies teacher Director of Summer on the Hill program Eucharistic minister at MPS B.A.in Education Began Leadership classes Former member of Diocesan Student Congress Former member of the MPS Board Started the Erie Experience class Teaching Assignment: Psychology, Junior American History-IB, and Americas-CP

Arthur Martone, Performing Arts Chair 27 years teaching experience – 23 years at MPS	Stage director/producer of the first high school production of The Phantom of the Opera in NW PA 2011 Music Director of the MPS Little Mary Sunshine troupe performance at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2005 Music director of the first high school production of Les Miserables in NW PA 2002 Music Director for the 1995 MPS I.T.S. Main stage production of Nunsense in Lincoln, Nebraska Stage director and performing member of the Erie Opera Theatre 1983 -2010 Music director/performer at Erie Playhouse since 1986 Former assistant conductor for the Erie Chamber Orchestra Has been the music director/conductor for Erie Parks and Recreation Department, the Erie Diocesan Summer Musicals, and the Titusville Summer Theatre Sang as a soloist with the Erie Chamber Orchestra and the Erie Philharmonic Former assistant musical director and head cantor at St. Peter Cathedral Sang National Anthem at numerous professional sporting events 2005 MPS Outstanding Faculty Service Award recipient 2009 Golden Apple Award recipient 2011 MPS Distinguished Alumni Service Award recipient Has traveled extensively in the world to Italy, Germany, France, England, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Canada & Mexico Teaching Assignment: Concert Choir-IB/H & CP, Show Choir-IB/H & CP, Musical Production, Technical Theatre, Music Appreciation, Beginning Piano, Advanced Piano, and Beginning Guitar