Meet Alumna
Join Us for Shaler Area High School’ s Production of Mamma Mia!
Join Us for Shaler Area High Meet School Our Team’ s Production: of Mamma Mia!
SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT haler area school district SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Lydia Wayman is an accomplished professional, holding both a bachelor’ s and master’ s degrees and is a published author. She has achieved these successes despite navigating a world that was not conducive to recognizing the strengths and supporting the needs of neurodivergent individuals. Wayman is now using her own experience to make a difference in the lives of others. She recalls,“ My school years were not easy. I was a very good student, but I struggled, often in ways that weren’ t obvious. I learned to internalize what I was feeling and perform, but over time, it broke me down. I don’ t blame my teachers or the schools— the world just didn’ t understand autism at that time, and I didn’ t understand myself or have the ability to communicate what I was experiencing.”
Wayman channeled those experiences into Snoopers & Sneakers, a middle grade novel co-authored with Cristina Rouvalis. The book follows Jane, a girl with autism, and Ashley,
26 SHALER AREA
Meet Alumna
Join Us for Shaler Area High School’ s Production of Mamma Mia!
LydiaWayman
a former popular kid, as they team up to clear their beloved teacher’ s name. What sets it apart is its dual perspective— readers see autism both from the outside and from within.“ Most conversations about autism focus on what it looks like from the outside,” Wayman explains.“ In Jane’ s chapters, you get a chance to see what autism is like from the perspective of the person experiencing it.”
Wayman is contributing to a world that is more understanding and aware of the needs of students both through her writing and advocacy. This year, Wayman visited students at her former school, Burchfield Primary.“ Speaking to kids, especially teaching them about autism, is one of my favorite things about being an author. It’ s what I’ ve dreamed of doing for many years. As a child, I often felt overwhelmed and misunderstood, including at school, so I deeply appreciated the opportunity to return with a message that I needed to hear and needed the people around me to hear,” she says.
Join Us for Shaler Area High Meet School Our Team’ s Production: of Mamma Mia!
AmberColamarino
Amber Colamarino has been a dedicated paraprofessional with the Shaler Area School District for the past nine years, bringing consistency, care, and a strong sense of community to her role. Throughout her tenure, she has supported both primary and elementary students, working closely alongside teachers to meet the daily needs of learners.
Colamarino finds the greatest joy in witnessing student growth and progress, and her commitment to helping each child succeed is evident in everything she does. At Scott Primary, students and staff alike appreciate her kind, patient, and nurturing approach, which creates a supportive and welcoming environment for all.
Beyond the school day, Colamarino’ s connection to the district continues as she can often be found cheering on her own children, who compete on the high school hockey, baseball, and softball teams. Her enthusiastic support reflects both her deep pride as a parent and her strong commitment to the Shaler Area community.
Colamarino’ s positivity and dedication make her a valued member of the district and a wonderful role model for students.