By: Grace Benson 

     At the beginning of last year, Eisenhower happily accepted Mrs. Holeva, the new Assistant Principal, to the Eisenhower staff. You may frequently see her walking through the halls making small talk with different students and recognize her as the administrator who leads our school’s PBIS initiative.  

     For this year’s winter issue of The Squire, Mrs. Holeva was chosen for the Teacher Spotlight. The Squire interviewed her to help the students get to know her a little better.  

The Squire: What was your teaching experience like before becoming Assistant Principal at Eisenhower and how does it compare?  

Mrs. Holeva: Prior to Eisenhower, I was at Saegertown Middle/High School. It was a lot like Eisenhower, even their school colors are the same. I taught Spanish I-AP, traveled with students to Spanish speaking countries, and was the advisor for the exchange students. 

The Squire: Where are you originally from and what encouraged you and made you want to move to Warren County?  

Mrs. Holeva: I am originally from a tiny town in NY, called Little Valley. I had 21 students in my graduating class. So, class sizes were super small. My daughter is a junior at Fort LeBoeuf and we will be staying there until she graduates. However, I wanted to work here because there are many communities that work together to create a larger community…with the focus on the community.  

The Squire: What are some challenges that you face as the Assistant Principal here? 

Mrs. Holeva: As Assistant Principal, I want to be able to walk through the hallways and know the students’ names, what they are passionate about, and what their plans are after graduation. It is challenging getting to know everyone. I try to quiz myself as I walk through the halls and ask students names that I do not recall. 

The Squire: How long have you been a part of the school system and what is the biggest thing that you have learned?  

Mrs. Holeva: I have been a part of the school system my whole life. First as a student, then a teacher and now an administrator. There are great people with huge hearts that work diligently to help to create opportunities for students daily! 

The Squire: Have you always wanted to be a teacher/principal, and if not, what is another career that you would have pursued? 

Mrs. Holeva: I wanted to be a wide receiver in the NFL, but my 40-yard dash time is over 8.1. 

The Squire: What are some things that you like to do to spend your free time outside of school? 

Mrs. Holeva: When I am not at school, I love spending time with my four children, traveling with my husband, watching NFL Football, and reading. I love the Atlanta Falcons…Rise Up. 

The Squire: What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give a teenager in high school?  

Mrs. Holeva: People come into our lives all the time. Some are there for a reason, some for a season and some will be with us for a lifetime. It is not for us to figure out which, but to enjoy the light that they bring while they are there. 

     That wraps up this winter’s issue Teacher Spotlight featuring Mrs. Holeva. The Squire thanks Mrs. Holeva for taking her time to answer our questions. If you would like to learn more about her, or have any questions, feel free to stop in at her office anytime to talk to her.