Maria Paluselli is a special education teacher with experience as a learning support teacher in several public schools. Maria is also a certified Orton-Gillingham Trainer. For over 10 years she served as the Director of the Children’s Dyslexia Center. Here she has trained and supervised teachers and tutors at initial and advanced levels. Maria is a trainer for Winsor Learning, publisher of a multisensory reading program. She has traveled throughout the country training teachers and coaching them as they implement intervention programs.
Maria has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and she works independently assessing students and consulting with parents and school districts. She presents regularly on various topics related to reading and intervention strategies. Maria is the past chair of the Pittsburgh Regional Group of The International Dyslexia Association.
Mrs. Joseph was born and raised in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. She attended Point Park University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career at Cornell School District working as a reading specialist, 4th-grade and 5th-grade teacher. While teaching in the Cornell School District, she furthered her education and obtained a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Her principal certification was earned at Point Park University. She worked for three years in the Burgettstown School District as an assistant principal at both the elementary center and middle/high school.
She resides in Scott Township with her husband of 23 years and three children. Her oldest daughter recently graduated from Point Park University, her middle daughter recently graduated from West Penn School of Nursing, and her son will be attending the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown in the Fall.
Mrs. Joseph is excited to be the Elementary Principal at Provident Charter School. She believes that her main focus is to help the students grow academically as well as socially. She has always been an advocate for children and looks forward to working with parents for the success of their child(ren).
Kristy Yonushonis has been in education for 13 years and is starting her 7th year at Provident Charter School. She holds a K-6 elementary education degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Masters's Degree in Special Education with a Principal K-12 certification from California University of Pennsylvania. Kristy has also obtained her Wilson 1 certification. Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Kristy has had many leadership roles at PCS including ELA curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, and ELA content specialist and interventionist. Kristy is a dedicated lifelong learner and is excited to join the administration team at PCS. Kristy will use her strengths to help create a positive and safe learning environment for PCS while increasing students' academics, confidence, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. Kristy enjoys spending time with her two kids and husband as well as reading and golfing in her free time.
Mr. Kerr serves as the Dean of Students at Provident Charter School. He earned Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education and his K-12 Principal Certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His additional certifications include K-12 E.S.L., 7-12 Social Studies, and Drivers Education. Jason began his career teaching social studies in Greenville, SC before moving back to Pennsylvania where he has served as a social studies teacher, principal and E.S.L. specialist and coordinator. Mr. Kerr comes to Provident from Urban Pathways Charter School and is excited to work with the Provident school community.
Amanda Bilitski has been with Provident Charter School since its opening in August 2016. Having a variety of roles within the organization, Ms. Bilitski has been serving PCS as their Director of Technology since 2018. Ms. Bilitski received her Master of Education at California University of Pennsylvania in their Administrative Program for Principals. She also obtained her Instructional Technology Certificate through Point Park University. In her spare time, Ms. Bilitski loves to spend time with her family, including her two young children, and gives back to her community by sharing her passion for exercise and yoga as a local fitness instructor. Ms. Bilitski feels blessed to support a school with such a special mission and to work with such a committed Administrative Team. She is excited to continue to grow with the organization for future years to come.
Mrs. Brittany Hebert serves Provident Charter School as the Director of Special Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She began her career in Nashville, TN as a special education teacher. Brittany has taught special education with experience working in the areas of learning support, life skills, and emotional support. She worked as a special education coordinator in Provident’s special education department from 2018-2021. During this time, Brittany earned her master's degree from Slippery Rock University in Special Education: School Supervision. Brittany moved into a leadership role joining Provident’s administration as the Special Education Elementary Supervisor for the 2021-2022 school year. She currently resides in the North Hills with her husband and son.
Brittany is committed to coordinating and collaborating with staff to ensure compliance with regulations and laws pertaining to special education. She advocates for all students when it comes to ensuring equal opportunities for learning.
Dr. Mindy Bramer has been an elementary and special education teacher, reading specialist, and she has taught 9th-grade English Literature. Most recently she has worked at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) on Pennsylvania’s Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Pilot Program. She is also a Nationally Board Certified teacher in the area of Reading-Language Arts: Early and Middle Childhood. Dr. Bramer also has her Special Education Supervisor and principal certifications. Dr. Bramer earned her Doctorate in Special Education Leadership from Slippery Rock University, where her dissertation focused on dyslexia and multisensory instruction. Dr. Bramer has her Orton-Gillingham Level I certification and is also a trainer of the Wilson Reading System®.
Mrs. Shannon Iachini serves Provident Charter School as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. She earned her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University in Political Science and pursued a Masters of Science in International Economics from American University in Washington, D.C. The personal experience of being the parent to three children with exceptional needs led her to focus her efforts on improving the field of education for children with learning differences. She earned her Masters of Science in Education from Duquesne University where she was named as a Dean’s Teaching Fellow. Mrs. Iachini was drawn personally to the mission of Provident Charter School and helped open the doors in 2016 as a third and fourth grade English language arts teacher. After obtaining her Level I certification as a Dyslexia Practitioner with the Wilson Reading System®, Mrs. Iachini moved into a leadership role as the English language arts curriculum coordinator with the task of adopting a rigorous and relevant English language arts curriculum for grades 2-8. During this time she obtained both her Principal K-12 certification and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certification from the University of Pittsburgh. She has served in her current role since October 2020 and oversees a department of two curriculum coordinators and three interventionists. During her time as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment she has overseen additional pilots in both Science and Mathematics with a focus on implementing rigorous curricula with appropriate scaffolding and support. Mrs. Iachini also serves as a local facilitator for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at the Tier I level and she is currently focused on implementing MTSS at Provident Charter School.