One week before the school year began, high school principal Tom Yoder had a big problem.

He had to replace a key high school faculty member for the first two months of the school year on just days notice. Fortunately Mr. Yoder didn’t have to look far for a qualified replacement as he found Mrs. Bridget Ciolkosz.

Some students and staff remember her as Miss Zahoran, Mr. Cammarata’s student teacher last fall.

Because of her previous Tyrone experience, Ciolkosz had the advantage of knowing the students and the school, which made the transition much easier for most students.

Both students and staff expressed their thanks to Mrs. Ciolkosz for the time and effort she put in as a long term sub for Mr. McNitt.

Mrs. Ciolkosz is a graduate of Bellefonte High School and Penn State University. She recently married and changed her Russian last name of Zahoran to the Polish last name Ciolkosz.

Ciolkosz admitted that at times the job was stressful but was an overall great experience and she really enjoyed it.

“I feel it really helped prepare me for when I get my own classroom in the future,” said Ciolkosz, “I’ll will miss the kids and their youthfulness the most.”

“She helped me understand the class so much better” said senior Johnny Payne.

“The class would have been a lot harder without her help” said senior Sarah Parker.

Senior Kathleen Beck said, “She was super helpful!”

“She will do a great job in the future because she cares about her students,” said Cammarata.

Mr. McNitt also had nothing but good things to say about Ciolkosz.

“Mrs. Ciolkosz was the ideal sub and an excellent teacher” said McNitt, “She was a great team teacher and she worked really well with me.”

“Keep doing what you are doing because it is excellent,” said McNitt about the job Ciolkosz performed while he was out of his classroom.

“It was an honor to work with her and the students loved her as well. We will all miss her very much,” McNitt added.

Senior Marijo Whalen said, “she did a really great job here and I enjoyed having her as a teacher.”

“I want to wish her good luck! I hope she succeeds at getting a really good teaching job,” said senior Hayliegh Friday.