Joseph Oliphant –CEO/Principal - Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Oliphant has worked as a classroom teacher, a technology director and as a school administrator for a variety of Pittsburgh area schools. He proudly considers himself a lifelong learner and has dedicated his career to empowering educators and students with skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Throughout his career, Mr. Oliphant has partnered with local business leaders, colleges, universities and regional training centers to strengthen post-secondary pathways in an effort to expose students to a variety of future-ready resources.
Mr. Oliphant has been trained in Human Centered Design and has incorporated design methods into teacher professional development in an effort to further engage and inspire educators in deeper learning competencies. In 2010, PAECT recognized Mr. Oliphant as Leader of the Year in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2019, Mr. Oliphant was selected for the School Retool Fellowship through the Stanford Design School.
Dr. Ray M. Milke – Director of Special Education/School Psychologist
Dr. Ray M. Milke was hired in October 2018 as the director of special education and student services for PACS. In addition to being an administrator, Dr. Milke is currently a school psychologist and maintains a private practice specializing in consulting, psychoeducational evaluations, and school neuropsychological evaluations. He has also worked as a school psychologist in several school districts in western Pennsylvania as well as the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7 and the Midwestern Intermediate Unit #4. Dr. Milke was the director of student support services for the Ligonier Valley School District for two years and held the same position for Kiski Area School District for over 15 years. Prior to his role as school psychologist and central office administrator, Dr. Milke worked as a research specialist at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). There, he performed neuropsychological evaluations and conducted various research projects. In 1998, he was published in the journal Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine and was the lead author for a research project published in 1999 by and for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Before working at WPIC/UPMC Dr. Milke provided psychological and assessment services to various school districts as well as business and industry.
Dr. Milke received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and both his Master of Science and Education degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Duquesne University. He received his doctoral degree in school psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Milke is one of only four school psychologists in western Pennsylvania to be certified in school neuropsychology by the American Board of School Neuropsychology.
Sharon Zaborowski – Business Manager
Ms. Sharon Zaborowski is the business/operations manager for PACS. Ms. Zaborowski has a degree in business administration and has worked with charter schools in the Pittsburgh area for more than 20 years. She is dedicated to assisting in the education process of our youth.
Raymond Rall – Attendance and Accountability Director/Social Studies Teacher/Safety Coordinator/Website
Mr. Raymond Rall is in his eigth year at PACS. He is the Attendance and Accountability Director and the Director of Safety. Mr. Rall has a master's degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as bachelor's degrees in history and media communication. He is in his tenth year of teaching overall and has worked previously at Summit Academy and Clayton Academy. Mr. Rall is a dedicated teacher who loves what he does and has a real passion for his students. He is certified in social studies, English and communications. He teaches U.S. History, and Civics at PACS. Mr. Rall also works on the school's website.
Marla Malcolm – School Nurse
Mrs. Malcolm has been a school nurse for 15 years. She has her RNs license from Mercy School of Nursing and received her bachelor’s degree and school nurse certificate from Carlow University. Nurse Malcolm started her career at Brentwood School District as a school nurse then took some time off to have her children. She then did some part time work for Propel schools before getting a full time position at City Charter High School, where she was for the last 10 years. Nurse Malcolm spends her free time with her 4 teen age/young adult children and husband. She enjoys watching all sports especially when her children are playing.
Dellane Ratley-Fisher – Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Ratley-Fisher is currently the school counselor at PACS. In this capacity, she provides crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and career counseling—individually and in groups—to inner-city high-school youth from a diverse, largely low income population including emotionally disturbed children. Mrs. Ratley-Fisher is also a counseling consultant with Nisar Health and Human Services where she focuses on social behavior skills with her clients.
Prior to coming to PACS, Mrs. Ratley-Fisher taught entrepreneurship, marketing, career development, and business development at Career Connections Charter High School.
Mrs. Ratley-Fisher has also worked as the director of programs for the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship-Pittsburgh office.
Mrs. Ratley-Fisher graduated from David B. Oliver High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and business from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Her studies in education were conducted at Carlow University. In 2011, she completed her master's degree at Carlow University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the American Counseling Association, and the American School Counseling Association. She serves on several boards and works with several community and career-affiliated organizations.
Sequala M. Thomas – Director of Student Engagement
As a Hill District native, Ms. Sequala M. Thomas always dreamed of coming back and assisting her community with whatever was needed. She was confident that by pursing individual studies in various subjects, such as community outreach programs and after-school activities for troubled youth, and teaching herself how to become a diverse individual, her dreams and goals would become reality. Ms. Thomas graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Art in social work. She completed an internship at Gannondale Residential Home in Erie, Pennsylvania, where her love of helping people blossomed into a passion. With that experience, she became more interested in the school-based surrounding in those residential facilities for delinquent youth. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, she applied to Duquesne University's graduate program and was accepted. She knew that she would be continuing her education in something that would be a lifelong learning experience. Eager to be an agent of change in her community, she obtained a Masters of Education in school counseling. She has worked in many school-based programs and joined the PACS team eight years ago. Ms. Thomas is the student services director and her office is located in the Guidance Department.
Steven Cercone – Science Teacher
Mr. Steven Cercone teaches biology and physical science. He graduated high school from Sewickley Academy and attended Colgate University where he majored in molecular biology. He started out as premed but eventually decided that teaching was a better path for him. To accomplish his goal of becoming a teacher, Mr. Cercone attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a master’s in education. His life goal is to share the knowledge he has accumulated with a future generation and to give back to society the valuable education he received. He truly values helping others and believes teaching is one of the best professions where one can help and give. In his spare time, he loves playing ultimate frisbee and Japanese animation. He is also an avid chess player and nature lover. Mr. Cercone invites students to get to know him and can’t wait to work with you!
Christopher Gorman – Math Teacher
cgorman@hhpacs.org
Mr. Christopher Gorman is a math teacher at Passport Academy Charter School.
Cayla Sebastian
Ms. Sebastian is in her first year of teaching at Passport Academy Charter School. She teaches Creative Writing and American Literature.
Julie Urbanek - Math Teacher
Mrs. Urbanek is in her first year at PACS and is excited to be working with a new team. She is a dedicated teacher who has 16 years of experience teaching Mathematics to middle and high school students. She works hard to build relationships and create a classroom culture of learning for all students. At PACS, Mrs. Urbanek teaches Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Studio Arts, and Future Readiness.
Prior to PACS, Mrs. Urbanek has worked at City Charter High School, Wilson Christian Academy, Bethel Park Alternative Education, and Nazareth Prep. She has taught many different math courses ranging from Math 6 up through Calculus. She graduated from Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Mathematics and a Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts. She is currently enrolled in a graduate program at Point Park University and plans to graduate in December 2022 with a master's degree of Special Education.
Hannah Dietrick - English Teacher
Ms. Dietrick attended Duquesne University where she received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English. She student taught at Pittsburgh CAPA locally as well as in a public school in Dublin, Ireland. This is her first year teaching full time and she is looking forward to helping her students grow and learn. In her free time, Ms. Dietrick likes to play video games, watch tv, read, and hang out with friends.
Nicole Zaborowski - 21st Century Coordinator
Ms. Zaborowski is the 21st Century Coordinator at Passport Academy Charter School.
Rachel Heusey – Special Education Teacher
Ms. Rachel Heusey is the special education teacher at PACS. She has a master's degree in special education from Waynesburg University. She has worked in the special education field for over 10 years, engaging with children and students from ages 3 to 21. This is her second year at PACS. She collaborates with the regular education teachers and the students to find ways to support the students in earning their diploma. Mrs. Heusey provides individualized assistance at the student's request and performs check-ins on each student's individual plans throughout the week. The fully inclusive setting provides real-life learning experiences for the students she works with as well as promotes self-advocacy skills. She works with the OVR representative to provide postgraduate job training and education. She also collaborates with the Early Reach Initiative to provide groups on Pre-Employment Transition Services such as training on soft skills, self-advocacy, application/resume/cover letter writing, interviewing, and personal finance.
Mike Osiecki – Special Education Teacher
Mr. Mike Osiecki is a special education teacher at PACS. He has a bachelor's degree in special education from California University of Pennsylvania with certifications in elementary education and middle school civics. He has worked in the field for almost 20 years now. Mr. O enjoys working with the population and collaborating with his new colleagues. His goal is to help as many students get diplomas as possible. In his free time, Mr. O enjoys landscaping, cooking, and spending time with his wife. His other passion is coaching basketball, he currently is head coach of the East Allegheny girl's basketball team and assistant boy's coach.
James Henderson – School Security/Food Services
Mr. James Henderson has been with PACS for almost four-and-one-half years. His position is security and head of food services. One of his main jobs is to make sure the building is secure.
Gale Evans – School Security/Food Services
Ms. Gale Evans has been with PACS for almost three years. Her job entails security and food services. As part of her duties, she meets and greet people as they come into the school. She has a great relationship with the students.
