About

Gladys H Leon is a retired school administrator with over thirty years of experience in early childhood education. A graduate of Shippensburg University with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education. Prior work experiences include working with Head Start students as well as Special needs preschoolers in the Philadelphia School District and the Chambersburg School District.

Jennifer Hawbecker has 20 plus years of experience working with children and families in the Franklin County area. She currently works as the Early Intervention Program Specialist for the Franklin/Fulton MH/IDD/EI program. Jennifer worked for Franklin County Head Start from 1998-2003 as a Teacher and then eventually became a Site Supervisor, where she supervised the teaching staff. Jennifer lives in Chambersburg with her husband, Bryan, and daughters, Olivia and Lily.

Carolyn Clouser is Executive Assistant to the President & CEO of Summit Health. She has served in that role since July 2013. She formerly held the positions of Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department and Administrative Secretary in the Human Resources Department from 1991 to 2013. Ms. Clouser has a B.A. in Educational Business Management from Wilson College and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Education from Purdue Global University. She serves on the Franklin County Head Start Board of Directors and is a member of the Franklin County Friends of Scouting Breakfast Committee. She volunteered as a tutor with the King’s Kids After School Program from 2003 to 2010. She is a member of Solomon’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she has served as council president, treasurer and secretary and member of the Social Ministry Committee, Stewardship Committee and Mutual Ministry Committee.

Joanne Cochran is an advanced practice nurse who founded Keystone Health Center in 1986. Today Keystone Health is a federally qualified health center treating over 50,000 patients annually in Franklin County. Keystone Health provides services to anyone and everyone and no one is ever denied care because of lack of finances. Joanne has had extensive experience in hospital administration, teaching at the postgraduate level and the advanced practice of nursing both in community health and public health.

Dr. Paul Sick has been a Head Start Board member since 2006. He has Served office terms as Vice-President and Board President. He is currently serving on Executive, Strategic Planning & Evaluation committees. Dr. Sick is a former principal with Chambersburg Area School District. He is currently employed with Wilson College as an adjunct professor in the Education Department as a student teacher supervisor.

Casey grew up in Colorado. She went to Colorado State University for college, graduated cum laude with a degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Diversity in Law in 2011. She then went to law school at Penn State Dickinson School of Law in State College, PA. She graduated cum laude from law school in 2014. While in law school Casey was vice president of the Women's Law Caucus, participated in the Family Law Clinic and had an externship at the Centre County District Attorney's Office. She started at the PDs office in December 2014, immediately following law school. She was hired as an Assistant PD, became First Assistant just over a year later and was appointed Chief Public Defender in August of 2018. She lives in Chambersburg with my two Puggles, Buster (age 9) and Bailey (age 5).

Tabitha Curtis is a parent of three children who have gone through the First Start Partnerships program and serves on the board to represent First Start parents. She currently works as a foster care case manager with Family Care Services, Inc. She was previously a therapeutic support staff and worked with children with mental and emotional diagnoses. She has received her Bachelor of Social Work from Shippensburg University and is actively pursuing her Master of Social Work degree from Shippensburg University. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events, doing advocacy work, and traveling with her husband. Tabitha is passionate about serving in her community and is committed to empowering vulnerable individuals with the tools they need to be successful. This is why she has committed to serving in this role as First Start Partnerships plays a vital role in educating young children and supporting families.

Tod is superintendent of the Waynesboro Area School District. Although a musician in his early life, he has been in education for almost 40 years. Aside from First Start Partnerships, he serves on numerous Waynesboro, Franklin County, State and Mid-Atlantic boards and committees. He and his wife Laura enjoy museums, historic places and attending concerts.

Eric is the business administrator for the Waynesboro Area School District. In addition to First Start Partnerships, he serves as a director for several boards and trusts in the county and region. Prior to working in education, he was employed at Citicorp for over 20 years. Eric lives in Greencastle with his wife Ellen and daughter Hannah.