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By: Janice Godshalk
It has been over 125 years since Pen Argyl High School was founded. In that time, the school has seen multiple teachers come and go.
This year, Pen Argyl will lose Alison Cesare, art teacher, after almost thirty years of teaching.
Cesare has been an educator for 33 years. She started teaching in 1993 at Neshaminy High School. She then moved on to Notre Dame East Stroudsburg after she had her son. Finally, she ended up in Pen Argyl’s hallways in 1997.
Cesare hadn’t always wanted to be an educator. She said that during her time at Indiana State University, teachers were rarely in demand or given low salaries. So, instead of getting a degree in education at the time, Cesare selected a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.
After receiving her degree, she started to pursue her Masters and spent a couple of years at what she referred to as “a large insurance company” located in Bethlehem.
Photo Courtesy of Alison Cesare
Alison Cesare and one of her final art classes at Pen Argyl High School.
During this time, she was also taking a silversmithing class at the Baum Art School.
Cesare had also taken jewelry classes at that time in the same school. She said that after one night of this class she decided that teaching art was what she wanted to do. She later graduated from Kutztown University, then started working as a teacher.
Cesare has won two awards while at Pen Argyl. In 2018, she won “Teacher of the Year.” She also holds the “Maureen Crawford Award,” which she won in August 2025 from the Colonial IU 20.
After this year, Cesare will start her retirement, and in her (over 28) years at Pen Argyl she has many positive memories. She revealed that while being at Pen Argyl she enjoyed her time getting to know students, spending time with staff, and making art. She indicated that she would miss the students and staff the most, but that she is happy to be able to sleep in.
Brett Kunkle, science teacher, has spent over 22 years working with Cesare. He said Cesare is a nice, creative person who is always willing to help any pupil.
He said, “I will miss her positive attitude and all the wonderful artwork that is hanging around the school that she helps her students create.”
Brianna Becker, junior, who has taken both Art 1 and 2 with Cesare, explained that she spends almost every block return in Cesare’s room. Becker said she enjoyed the positive environment Cesare created in her classroom.
“I absolutely adore Mrs. Cesare, so art classes won’t be the same without her. She will be very missed here at Pen Argyl. I will definitely miss her fun stories and gossip. Her attitude is hilarious and heartwarming,” Becker said.
Jessica Goyette, science teacher, has worked with Cesare for nine years. She noted that she believes Cesare to be the most creative person she knows and a person she can go to for help with anything. She commented that Cesare thinks about problems in different ways.
Goyette added that she is a kind and patient person who makes a large impact on the students surrounding her. Ultimately, Goyette divulged that, “Her help with Mini-THON will be greatly missed. She has guided our team in creating an amazing vision for Mini-THON.”
Cesare wants to retire because she believes that it is simply her time. She voiced that she wants to do things like ride horses, spend time with her family, and travel. Her parting remarks to the school are that, “Leaving is bittersweet. I loved my time here and will miss it tremendously, but I’m ready for a new adventure.”
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