Methacton School District

Jennifer Cancro is a recognizable and engaged member of the community. She earned her Bachelors of Science from Boston University in Occupational Therapy. She and her husband, Wayne, reside in Worcester Township with their four children. She has been a member of the Worcester Elementary Home & School board for four years, serving as President for the past two and overseeing the scope of its volunteers, programs, and events. She has also served on the Methacton School District Special Focus Committee for Extracurricular/Co-Curricular Activities and the Communications Focus Committee.

Whether volunteering at a school district event or at Visitation’s parish activities, Jennifer’s focus is on creating an inclusive, supportive atmosphere for the community in which she lives. Her vision—and strengths—are fortified in transparent communication, fiscal management, and outlined direction.

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and encouraging their diverse interests. Her children participate in Visitation BVM PREP, Robotics Club, Melody Chimes Music Club, Methacton Warriors Football, ARA Recreation Basketball and Baseball, the Collegeville Cougars Lacrosse, Whitpain Greens Swim Team, Methacton United Travel and Recreational Soccer, and Methacton Girls Lacrosse.

When elected, Jennifer will promote the “whole child concept” so that each student will have opportunities to strive towards his/her own growth and achievement. She plans to foster community relationships in order to promote the overall value of the district. Implementation of long range forecasting and management of current needs are her goals to ensure fiscal responsibility. Jennifer will also promote and help develop opportunities at all age levels in extracurricular/co-curricular activities and athletics to enhance growth within Methacton Schools. Her ultimate goal is to encapsulate Methacton’s slogan to “Learn, Lead and Succeed- Together”

Semira Perdue has made Worcester Township her home. She and her family are active school event participants, and she is a reliable member of multiple committees at both Worcester Elementary and Skyview Upper Elementary.

Ms. Perdue is a scientist and international regulatory affairs manager for a multinational pharmaceutical company. She holds a BS in Biology from Temple University and a MS in Microbiology from Thomas Jefferson University. She has worked on vaccine manufacturing and as a process development engineer. She is involved with the Central Schwenkfelder Church County Fair, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) USA, Cub Scout Pack 200 as a committee member, Manna on Main Street, and a mentoring program for middle school students. Ms. Perdue and her husband cheer on their two young sons at Methacton United Soccer games, wrestling tournaments, and their other activities, as well as stand in proud support of their older son, who is serving in the US Army.

Elizabeth (Liz) Alston has lived in Lower Providence for 20 years. She attended Springfield, Delaware County public schools, and then received her BS in Psychology from Penn State and her MBA in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh. Professionally, she is a Program Assistant at Penn State Cooperative Extension and Clearances Coordinator for Bucks and Montgomery Counties. She has extensive experience in talent acquisition, budget and credit management, project coordination, and compliance. She is the proud parent of two girls in Methacton School District.

Liz’s engagement in the Methacton School District community is well-established. She served on three Home and School Boards last school year: President at Woodland Elementary, Co-President at Arcola Intermediate School, and Vice President of the Methacton Coordinating Council. In years past, she has served as Home & School Treasurer at both Woodland and Skyview Upper Elementary. She has chaired fundraising and social committees for the school communities, and she was a weekly library volunteer at Woodland from 2012 to 2017. Liz has also supported the school district by serving on the Focus Committee for Parent Portal evaluations.

For over five years, Liz has been actively involved in leadership with the Girl Scouts of America. She has been a volunteer with her daughters’ Troops, and since 2014 she has served as Service Unit 648’s Treasurer. Recently, she was the Service Unit Cookie Manager, a position requiring excellent organizational and accounting skills. She has also served as a volunteer tax preparer for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

Liz supports her children’s involvement in Girl Scouts, band, chorus, martial arts, Chess Club, Math Club, environmental club, and Women in Aerospace and Technology at West Chester Helicopter Museum.

As a Methacton School Board Director, Liz will focus on fiscal responsibility, explore full day kindergarten and work to enhance STEM education in the district, particularly at the elementary level.

Pooja Chanda was born and raised in the Methacton community and currently lives in Lower Providence. Pooja and her husband, as well as many family members and friends, are Methacton Alumni. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Mercyhurst University and Master’s degree at Utica University. Pooja’s professional journey is rooted in Intelligence Studies, with diverse investigative experience in retail, finance, and law enforcement sectors. She currently works as a Cyber Security professional for a technology company. She is also the first Indian American to serve on the Methacton School Board. 

Pooja's goal as a Methacton School Board director is to support educational excellence while providing opportunities for all students to fully participate in their school experience. She will also use her expertise to work alongside the technology department to constantly monitor and evaluate the district's internet and safety protocols. 

Cathy Cleary has lived in Lower Providence for more than two decades.  She attended Lower Merion public schools, received her BA in Political Science from West Virginia University and her Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law.  Professionally, she is the SVP Environmental Division Counsel for an environmental and construction professional division of a commercial insurance brokerage. She has extensive experience in insurance, environmental risks and regulations, drafting and negotiating contract language and handling compliance matters. 

Ms. Cleary is a mother of two sons who graduated in 2022 and 2023, respectively, from Methacton School District.  She is a former Arrowhead Home & School Treasurer and member of the Methacton Coordinating Council.  

As an advocate for inclusive and transparent communication, Ms. Cleary believes collaboration is the key to success in any endeavor.  Her primary goal as School Board Director is to serve the community by promoting the highest level of academic achievement for our students and staff in the District.

Email: ccleary@methacton.org

Term Expiration: 2025

Committee Assignments: 

Policy Committee

Finance Committe

Kate Graf began her service to the Methacton Board of School Directors in November 2022.

Ms. Graf is a resident of Lower Providence and has resided in the Methacton School District for over 15 years with her husband. She has one daughter who currently attends Methacton High School. Ms. Graf obtained her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University. She went on to obtain her professional engineering licensure in environmental engineering.

As an environmental consultant, Ms. Graf assists clients with understanding and complying with complex environmental regulations. She routinely coordinates with state agencies and serves as the senior technical advisor for environmental permit applications and compliance documentation. Prior to her work as an environmental consultant, Ms. Graf held engineering positions within industrial corporations and regulatory agencies. Her regulatory background coupled with her industrial knowledge provide a unique perspective to effectively and efficiently resolve issues on behalf of her clients.

Ms. Graf believes that collaboration and open dialogue produces stronger ideas and outcomes. She is committed to enhancing STEM education and ensuring a bright future for all Methacton students.

Glenn Mersky has been a resident of Lower Providence for over 20 years.  Originally from Western Pennsylvania, Glenn and his wife Denise chose to move to Lower Providence largely because of the strength of the education offered by Methacton School District and the sense of Community of the area.  Together they raised their two sons who attended Methacton schools and have gone on to attend top Universities in Math, Science & Engineering.  

Glenn received his BA in Economics from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington PA and his MBA from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh PA.

Glenn has worked in industry for 40+ years in Sales, Marketing, Product and Operations Management rolls.  He currently is a business owner of a Sales Agency and Consulting business as well as the North American Sales Manager of the Recycling Market for Coperion Corporation in Sewell, NJ. 

Over the years residing in Lower Providence Glenn has volunteered in many youth sports and community organization activities including: former Coach for Methacton Warriors Youth Football, Perkiomen Valley Youth Football, Methacton’s Arcola Intermediate School Football, Methacton Baseball Association, Connie Mack Lower Providence Youth Baseball, Methacton Athletic Association Junior League Baseball; former Boy Scouts of America Troop Leader and Cub Scouts of America Pack Leader; Methacton Post Prom Volunteer (under the supervision of his wife Denise).

Glenn's primary focus in serving on the Methacton School Board will be to continue to support learning and academic performance improvement for the students of Methacton, enhance the real-world hands-on learning opportunities available to Methacton students and strive for fiscal responsibility and transparency to the community and residents.

Kathleen “Katie” Thiel has lived in Lower Providence for over ten years.  Since graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Education at Villanova University, she has taught in various school systems in the Greater Philadelphia Area for more than 20 years, including public school districts, parochial schools, charter schools, and cyber charter schools. Katie earned her Masters of Education in Literacy from West Chester University in 2011 and completed Eastern University’s Principal Certification program in 2022.  

Katie is a member of the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, an active subscriber to The Reading League, and a Reading Specialist Certification Instructor with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. While she is currently teaching high school English and Language Arts, she has previously taught Secondary History and Government, was a Middle School Reading Specialist, and recently served as a Secondary Literacy Coach for numerous years.

Katie’s lifelong experience with friends, family, and students with neurodiversity, including ADHD and Dyslexia, and her years in education motivate her advocacy for the Science of Reading and Learning.  She looks forward to generating conversations focused on inclusive educational practices and environments that support individual student growth. 

Paul Winters began his service to the Methacton School District Board of School Directors in December of 2015. Mr. Winters has lived in Eagleville for 13 years with his wife; son, a student in Methacton; and his father-in-law. 

He received his BBA in finance from James Madison University and his MBA in finance from Saint Joseph's University.

During his 24 years at SKF USA Inc. in Lansdale, he has held a wide-range of positions from accounting to system analyst to customer service manager to international sales business unit controller for the Railway & Off Highway Segment.  He is now the Controller for the Industrial Market USA Sales unit. Mr. Winters has served as a volunteer with both Methacton United soccer and ARA.