By: Briana Blaszczyk
Meet some of the new staff employed at Wallenpaupack Area High-School for our 2024-2025 school year! This article would not be possible without the help of Dr. Caruso and all the teachers listed below, thank you!
Joining the WAHS culinary department we have Chef Parkes. She has an extensive background managing culinary, hospitality, and IT environments.
The transition from the corporate world to education can be quite a change, but when asked about her inspiration/motivation to become a teacher she said, “I actually set out to become a teacher when I started my college career, both of my parents were educators and we have many teachers in our family, including myself, my sister-in-law and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. With education running deep in my blood, going back many generations, teaching was always top of my career list!” And when asked about what she hopes her students take away from the course she responded, “I hope they take away an understanding of the hospitality industry and a hunger to learn more. More can come in many forms, including basic cooking for the family to becoming a professional chef, or something entirely different.”
Nurse Rachal Kominskiw
WAHS is happy to welcome Nurse Kominskiw to the Nurses department. Mrs. Kominski has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. She has worked as a phlebotomist, nurses aid, and registered nurse in Wayne Memorial’s emergency room. When asked what inspired her move from a hospital setting to a school environment she responded, “I started substituting as a school nurse while working in the emergency department and soon found that I enjoyed an environment that allowed me to create relationships with the people I care for. Additionally, being in a school environment allows me to see people not only when they are sick but when they may also be at their best.”
Chef Spiess
Chef Spiess is another new face that we welcome into the WAHS culinary department. He is joining us after 28 years in the culinary field where he worked with noted chefs such as Robert Irvine, Michael Simon, and Guy Fieri. Some of his achievements include TV appearances on Fox and Friends and The Grill Sergeants, selection as the 2010 Armed Forces Chef of the year by the American Culinary Federation, his induction into the American Academy of Chefs in 2016, and a multitude of awards presented by the 2008 Culinary Olympics, 2006 and 2010 Culinary World Cup, and the American Culinary Federation. When asked why he has shifted gears from the culinary world to the education world he responded, “…After I was selected to represent our nation for team USA it was my obligation to share my knowledge and expertise with my peers in the industry. I was honored to share, and I knew one day I wanted to teach at some level. I think it’s very important to give back to our students and the community. It’s been a lifelong dream for me to teach.” And when asked about what he hopes students take away from his class he answered, “I hope that my students are prepared for the workforce. I understand that college can be expensive so it’s my goal to give the students a well-rounded education like what they would get if they decided to pursue an associates in culinary arts. For those who want to pursue a culinary degree I would like them to be ahead of their peers. I would also like to foster a generation that puts in hard work and know that we are faced with the task of doing what is easy or doing what is right. I want my students to put in the hard work and do what is right.”
Mrs. Frayko
Mrs. Frayko has spent her last two years at WAHS working as a leave replacement school counselor and is now joining the team as an official counselor for Academy 3. She tells the Paupack Press, “I have absolutely loved it. The team of people I work with in the guidance department have become my family, and I am grateful to continue working with them. I am looking forward to deepening my relationship with the staff and students here at WAHS.” She also wishes to share some fun facts about herself. Mrs. Frayko enjoys spending time with her husband and two dachshunds. She enjoys reading, Stars Wars, Batman, Disney and is a big car person! WAHS is happy to officially welcome Mrs. Frayko to the guidance department!
