Tyrone Area High School students are seeing a familiar face in a new place this year. Former Tyrone Middle School teacher Gary Aharrah is now a member of the high school staff, teaching a variety of science classes.

Many of Aharrah’s students remember him as their eighth-grade science teacher, a job he held for seven years at TAMS.  But Aharrah always had the desire to teach science at the high school level and jumped at the opportunity when a position opened over the summer.

“I really enjoyed my time teaching eighth-grade science, so when the opportunity to move up to the high school arose last year I was both nervous and excited to make the move. I knew this was my chance to fulfill a lifelong goal of mine to teach upper-level sciences and even though I was nervous about changing my role, I knew I would have regretted it more if I would have not taken the new position,” said Aharrah.

Aharrah currently teaches ninth-grade life science, works with the CLP students for biology and general science, and also teaches cyber anatomy and physiology, cyber life science, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology.

Tenth-grade biology teacher Beth Cannistraci followed a similar path as Aharrah, moving from middle school to high school several years ago, so she is familiar with the path Aharrah has taken.

“I really enjoy working with Mr. Aharrah. Even though we teach different courses, we often collaborate and he has helped me on a number of occasions. Although switching grade levels and content is challenging, he has the drive and determination to do it,” said Cannistraci, “In my opinion, he is doing a fabulous job. He is providing his students interesting, engaging and challenging courses.”

Aharrah likes his new classes and is excited to continue his teaching career at a high school level.

“I really have enjoyed my first semester at the high school and working with the students and staff. What makes Tyrone great is the friendships that you make along the way. I will never forget the friendships I made while working at the middle school, but I am excited about what the future holds,” said Aharrah.

Although he has many years of experience in the classroom, in some ways Aharrah feels like a new teacher again, having to teach new content, work with a new staff, and new lab equipment. His goal at the beginning of the year was to figure out a way to get everything done.

“It was a big task to build a new routine with new labs and activities. As the first semester is coming to an end, I have worked on developing a better routine and feel more confident in the high school setting. I am sure as the year continues I will continue to improve with the help of and feedback from my students and coworkers,” said Aharrah.

Even with these challenges, Aharrah has managed to push through and is motivated and determined to benefit all his students.

“Mr. Aharrah brings the utmost dedication to his classroom and students as a teacher. The students benefit from his knowledge of the material and his ability to teach the material to his classes,” said Tyrone High School Principal Chad Packer.