Six stand-out educators receive Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award
Pictured Left to Right:
John Wessner, Mary Kenny, Jonathan Nagy, SFU President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Joseph M. Kush, Colleen Koenigsberg, and Jessica Zorger.
Saint Francis University presents the Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award to a deserving elementary or secondary teacher or administrator each spring. This year, the university presented the award to six stand-out educators during the Saint Francis University President's Awards Convocation on April 29, 2025.
Colleen Koenigsberg - Northern Cambria, AP Chem, Chem II, Honors Chem and Chem I Teacher
Colleen is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and obtained her master’s degree in Chemistry Education from Western Governors University. She began her teaching career in 1996 at Saltsburg High School and has spent the last 24 years at the Northern Cambria School District where she currently teaches AP Chem, Chem II, Honors Chem, and Chem I.
She has had various roles during her time at Northern Cambria, including PJAS advisor and NHS advisor, and is currently the Science Department Head. She would like to thank both Saltsburg and Northern Cambria for providing opportunities for her to improve and expand on her God-given talent as a teacher.
She would also like to thank Deanna Haddle, her cooperating teacher during her student teaching experience. Mrs. Haddle gave her invaluable help and advice that helped her to become the teacher that she is today. When she is not teaching, she likes to spend time with her family and enjoys reading.
Jessica Zorger - Hollidaysburg, Reading Specialist and Instructional Coach
Education has always been a passion for Jessica, shaping both her career and commitment to student success. Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Altoona Area High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University.
Her dedication to literacy and leadership led to the completion of a Master of Education degree with a reading focus from Slippery Rock University, followed by principal certification from Point Park University. She is now completing her doctorate in Leadership and Administration.
For the past 12 years, Jessica has proudly served as a Reading Specialist in the Hollidaysburg Area School District while also working as an instructional coach. In these roles, she has been dedicated to enhancing literacy instruction, supporting educators, and fostering student achievement.
Outside of her professional work, Jessica lives in Hollidaysburg with her husband, Chris, and their three children, Liam, Anna, and Kate, who continue to inspire and support her passion for education.
Joseph M. Kush - Rockwood Area School District, 7-12 Engineering & Technology Teacher
Joe graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Communications and a teaching certification for English. He first taught English at the Johnstown Career and Technology Center for a half year and then was an English teacher at the Berlin Brothersvalley School District for six years. After volunteering to build set pieces for the school musical, Joe discovered the joy of working with students teaching critical thinking skills through doing hands-on projects and using tools and materials. He then made a career shift and went back to college full-time for three semesters at California University of Pennsylvania to pursue certification in Technology & Engineering.
For the past sixteen years, Joe has been teaching 7th-12th grade Engineering & Technology courses at the Rockwood Area School District. Joe transformed the former wood shop program into a cutting-edge Engineering & Technology program.
Joe and his students have participated in many year-round extracurricular community projects and contests, oftentimes being recognized with awards at local, regional, and state levels. In addition, he serves as an advisor to the district’s Engineering and Technology Club, Junior-Senior Prom, and Community Service program. The Engineering and Technology Club takes day-long and overnight field trips to manufacturing, industry, and STEM locations both in and out of state. By raising funds through commissioned projects and entrepreneurial endeavors, Joe’s students have been able to participate in the field trips for minimal and sometimes no cost. In addition, he has been successful in seeking and securing grant funding from local businesses to acquire new equipment and fund week-long summer camps.
Joe won the 2014 Somerset County PA Association of Retirees Loretta Wodson Award for exemplary service and the 2025 Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools PARSS 7-12 grade Educator of the Year award which represents 255 Pennsylvania School Districts.
Some of the joys of Joe’s day at Rockwood include working with the Life Skills students, substitute bus driving, and encouraging students to find their talents to do their personal best.
Joe lives in Central City with his best friend and wife Heather who is an inspiring elementary teacher at the Berlin Brothersvalley School District.
John Wessner - Foot of Ten Elementary School, 4th Grade Teacher
John Wessner is a 4th-grade teacher at Foot of Ten Elementary School in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University in 2002 and a Master of Education in Literacy from Saint Francis University in 2009. Mr. Wessner was inspired to pursue a career in education when he was an elementary student due to the excellent teachers in the Hollidaysburg Area School District.
He is proud to work in the district where he developed his love of learning. John’s passion for education was further reinforced by his mother, who worked as a special education preschool teacher, and his father, who took the family on educational trips to various historic sites. John’s experience is shaped by a supportive school environment where staff work together to help students succeed.
Beyond the classroom, he enjoys serving as a student council advisor, coordinating the annual American Cancer Society Daffodil Days fundraiser, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars, including over $11,700 this year. He also organizes Foot of Ten’s annual Veterans Day Celebration, honoring students’ family members who have served in the military.
John lives in Hollidaysburg with his wife, Courtney, and daughter, Emma. He enjoys volunteering at Old Bedford Village historic site and participating in living history presentations, a passion he brings to the classroom through his teaching of Pennsylvania history. He is honored to receive this recognition from Saint Francis University, an institution that played a meaningful role in his own educational journey.
Jonathan Nagy - Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Dean of Students, Campus Ministry Director, Director of Alumni Relations and Assistant Director of Development
Jonathan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and his graduate degree at the University of Phoenix. He has worn many hats at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, currently serving as Dean of Students, Director of Alumni Relations, Assistant Director of Development, and Campus Ministry Director, while also steering admissions, communications, fundraising, and several student‑life programs.
He has worked extensively with the International Program, school store, NHS, and Student Council in the past. In the classroom, Jonathan has taught U.S. and World History and now leads courses in Pop Culture, Economics, and AP U.S. Government & Politics.
Beyond his campus roles, Jonathan is an active member of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto, where he serves as Music Director, organist, and parish historian. He guides visitors at the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House and is a trustee for both the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine and the Prince Gallitzin Chapel House Charitable Trust.
A contributor to the Diocese of Altoona‑Johnstown’s Proclaim! in both its digital and print editions, Jonathan writes, performs music, and appears on camera for the program. He also volunteers in multiple capacities for the Diocese and for the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Loretto.
Mary Kenny - Portage Area High School, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology Teacher
Mary Kenny is a graduate of Saint Francis College gaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Mary worked as a manufacturing technician at Wyeth Laboratories early in her scientific career. She also was employed at Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia as a Research Assistant working in the Physiology and Cardiovascular radiology departments.
She went back to school to obtain her teaching degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Since then, Mary has spent 30 years of her teaching career at Portage Area High School where she currently teaches Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. During her time at Portage, she has been the advisor for the prom committee and class advisor for the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Mary works with her students to prepare them for local Envirothon competitions. As advisor of the science club, she gives her students many opportunities to broaden their knowledge through trips to the PA Farm Show, Allegheny Hospital in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, DC, Baltimore, and New York. In 2019, she was recognized by the Cambria County Conservation District for outstanding leadership in teaching.
Mary considers herself to be an “academic fiduciary” who helps her students transition to college by taking them to events at SFU including, STEAM Day, and Health Sciences Special Events. Mary loves sharing her passion with others and even comes up with creative songs and sayings to help keep her students engaged. Her hands-on labs include making sauerkraut and pretzels to display the practicality of understanding fermentation and yeast activity.
Mary has always found a way to integrate science into dinner conversations with her husband, Bill Hoover, and 4 children, William, Agnes, Patrick, and Alice. In her free time, she enjoys growing, sharing, and canning food from her garden, especially when the family and friends lend a hand.
About Dr. John Powers
Saint Francis established the Dr. John Powers Outstanding Educator Award to honor the memory of the late John Powers, who began his 30 years of teaching in Loretto in 1946. Initially hired by the Franciscans to teach history, Dr. Powers accepted the chairmanship of the Education Department within a few years and earned his doctorate in that field from Penn State University in 1956.
In addition to preparing generations of teachers for the classroom, Dr. Powers served on local school boards for fourteen years. He was president of the Pennsylvania Institutional Placement Association and vice-president of the Pennsylvania Association of Liberal Arts Colleges. He and his late wife, Jeanette, were also deeply committed to the local parish school, St. Michael's. The Powers’ three children, Kathy, Jack, and Maureen, all graduated from Saint Francis.