We’re just one week away from kicking off the third summer of the Readiness Institute Summer Program! On Monday, June 26, 45 learners from Allegheny County (and 20 learners from the greater central Pennsylvania region) will gather at the Energy Innovation Center — home of the Readiness Institute — to meet their cohorts, hear from inspiring speakers, and start their six-week journey to community and future readiness. During the six weeks of the program, learners will be led by nine instructors who will help guide and support them through workshops, field trips, and reflection. Let’s take some time to meet some of these amazing individuals!
Joseph Ashenden
Speech language pathologist at Liberty Elementary School in Pittsburgh Public Schools
What are you reading?
I am currently reading Beach Read by Emily Henry.
What are you watching?
I am watching The Diplomat on Netflix. I am also always watching something on HGTV!
What are you listening to?
I listen to a lot of podcasts! Some favorites include What Should I Read Next and Normal Gossip.
Hobbies:
I like to read, go for walks, and bake at home. I also spend a lot of time playing with my cat, D.W.
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
My favorite place in Pittsburgh is Schenley Park. I love that it has it all — places to walk, swim, and enjoy the beautiful scenery! I also went to Pitt, so it reminds me of good memories from college.
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
I wish I knew that you have time to make big decisions. I felt very rushed to commit to a major and a school. Looking back, I wish I would have given myself time to consider and explore different options fully.
Morgan Harouse
Middle school ELA teacher at Cornell High School
What are you reading?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
What are you watching?
The Diplomat on Netflix
Hobbies:
Hanging with my nephew, working out, and shopping!
Scott Orelli
Chemistry and AP environmental studies teacher at Peters Township High School
What are you reading?
I’ve recently started reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with my son. I’m also reading Ambitious Science Teaching by Mark Windschitle, Jessica Thompson, and Melissa Braaten.
What are you watching?
When I’m not watching Ted Lasso, I’m watching the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What are you listening to?
I listen to a variety, but Eric Thomas and Brandi Carlisle have been in regular rotation recently.
Hobbies:
I enjoy gardening, and I’ve just started my first season as a t-ball coach.
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
My favorite place in Pittsburgh is Frick Park.
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
I wish I knew the importance of communication, collaboration, and leadership in all aspects of life. I had built these skills in the context of sports when I was in high school, but I didn’t realize the importance of each in all aspects of life until I was much older. For the first then years after high school, I often tried to accomplish things on my own academically, personally, and professionally, when working with others would have made my own efforts more fruitful.
We’re so excited that Joseph, Morgan, and Scott are all returning from previous years. Morgan and Scott have been with us from the first year, making this their third year as instructors. And Joseph is back for his second year.
Jasmine Adams
What are you reading?
Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want by Nicholas Epley
What are you watching?
Succession
Hobbies:
Going to the museums and discovering art, traveling, and photography
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
Heinz Field
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Discovery of the self has no end.
Kayleigh Gaborek
Start On Success educator at Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy 6-12
What are you reading?
Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks
What are you watching?
The Mandolorian
What are you listening to?
The Office Ladies Podcast and The Morgan Housel Podcast
Hobbies:
Reading, yoga, traveling, walks with my dog, poetry
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
The North Shore (stadiums and river walk)
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
I wish that I had known about all of the different career options and that I didn’t need to choose what I’d want to do for the next 40 years. Career paths aren’t always linear, and you just need to choose the next right step!
Evan Lee
Visiting lecturer, academic researcher
What are you reading?
I’ve been spending more time with kind of more abstract academic texts like Norbert Wiener’s Cybernetics, which is a really fascinating look at what we now recognize as design and computing systems, but it was written back in 1948! I’m really interested in a lot of how this mathematical or scientific philosophy tells about a lot of things in professional and academic settings. For fun, I was rereading N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season which is pretty spectacular contemporary science fiction/fantasy.
What are you watching?
I am a really devout re-watcher, especially while doing laundry or catching up with emails. Right now I’m re-watching Veronica Mars for the I-don’t-know-how-many-th time. A really compelling and engaging detective procedural from the perspective of a teenager played by now mega-famous Kristen Bell when she was just starting, written by Rob Thomas who isn’t a household name but should be.
What are you listening to?
Honestly, it’s usually Broadway musicals. My daughter, who is turning six in June, absolutely fell in love with The Sound of Music, and I’ve heard Julie Andrews sing just about every song in the songbook and I’m still not tired of it!
Hobbies:
I’m actually spending a lot of time helping people develop things, playing through board games, card games, or role-playing games, and helping, as a professional or a friend, someone think through their design principles and how to develop the kind of polished finished product that they’re looking for. My academic habits always seem to pop up and I really enjoy writing articles about strategy and card games.
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
I grew up in a relatively large city and was really happy after living in kind of small college towns to move to Pittsburgh, which checks all of the boxes for life. I really love being downtown and surrounded by buildings and public spaces but also love being in Oakland and close to the Carnegie museums!
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
Everything will go a lot slower and a lot faster than you expect. Sometimes you will feel like there’s no time to make decisions and you have to just commit to something right away (this is how I ended up in the College of Engineering) and other times you will feel like you’re just not moving forward the way you want and you’re spinning your wheels (this is how I ended up leaving the College of Engineering). You have more time than you think to choose what you want to do but also if something feels like a great fit, don’t hesitate to dive in!
Nora Mattern
Director of the Sara Fine Institute at the School of Computing and Information
What are you reading?
I usually have one nonfiction and one fiction book going. I’m reading a biography on Eleanor Roosevelt and I just discovered a series of books on mysteries involving birding/birders. I’m reading the first in that series now!
What are you listening to?
I listen to audiobooks on walks and while doing chores — and always a thriller!
Hobbies:
I really find an enormous amount of peace and joy in birding.
Favorite place in Pittsburgh:
Frick Park
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
I had a sense of myself as having skills in certain areas and not in others — namely, not in STEM areas. I wish I didn’t define my skill set so rigidly and knew that I can offer perspectives, strengths, and ideas that are important to any number of paths!
Tracey McPherson
Substitute teacher at Pittsburgh Public Schools
What are you reading?
I am currently reading The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life.
What are you watching?
I was most recently watching the Netflix series, Shadow and Bone. The season ended however, so I am looking for a new show to binge.
What you wish you knew when you were in high school:
I wish I knew how to manage my finances. I wish financial literacy was part of the general school curriculum.