WEST MIFFLIN; February 20, 2025 — Three West Mifflin Area School District teachers recently were recognized as the district’s Staff Members of the Month.
The initiative, which began in late 2024 and is done in partnership between administrators and the Communications Committee, recognizes staff members from all departments of the district each month based upon rigorous criteria.
The most recent recipients were: Mary Bekavac (Homeville Elementary School), Kristen Bonacci (West Mifflin Area High School) and Judy Minydzak (West Mifflin Area Middle School).
To be selected for the recognition, nominees must meet criteria in 10 categories: Professional excellence, student impact, innovation and initiative, collaboration and teamwork, leadership, commitment to equity and inclusion, community engagement, professional development, resilience and adaptability, and overall contribution to school culture. Specific examples of each criteria were included in the nominations.
Mrs. Bekavac is a Special Education teacher and the Special Education team lead at Homeville Elementary School. In her fifth year with the district, she is in her third year as a Kindergarten Learning Support teacher. Mrs. Bekavac is a member of Homeville’s PBIS and MTSS (multi-tiered system of support) teams.
Mrs. Bonacci teaches Family and Consumer Sciences at the high school. She is the director of the district’s pre-K program, where she teaches the pre-k children and the high school students on how to effectively work with children. In her 18th year with the district, Mrs. Bonacci is the senior class sponsor and president of WMASD’s teachers union.
Mrs. Minydzak teaches Math at the middle school and is in her 26th year with the district. A WMAHS graduate, she has spent her entire district career teaching in the middle school. She is an assistant coach with the WMMS girls volleyball team and previously was co-sponsor of the school newspaper.
Congratulations and thank you to all three educators on their dedicated efforts for West Mifflin Area students and families!
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