As the new school year begins, that means there’s new teachers beginning as well. Rachel Reachard is one of the newest members of the teaching staff at Dover Area High School.  

Reachard looks forward to helping students at the high school. She said, “Helping students learn their way has been the highlight of my career. Since we all learn differently, I enjoy helping students understand that they can take different approaches to learning. With that in mind, I will always remember the face of students when they have reached the moment when they ‘get it’.” 

Reachard has been teaching for 17 years. “I attended Clarion University of PA for my undergraduate work in Elementary and Special Education.  While working in Winchester, VA I attended Shenandoah University where I received my Master’s degree in Education as a Reading Specialist.” She later returned to Pennsylvania to teach. Reachard also attended California University of PA where she received a second M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration with Principal Licensure. 

She started teaching at Dover Area Middle School in 2018 and previously worked at West York High School. Reachard said, “After four years at the middle school, I missed teaching in the high school classroom setting and decided to apply for the open position when Ms. (Tori) Everhart retired.” 

Reachard sees herself “as a respectful, enthusiastic, and constantly changing teacher” and said, “students have described me as hyper and helpful. While I feel they have confused my passion for teaching them with hyperness I am glad they have found me helpful.”

Reachard always wanted to be a teacher but wasn’t sure what grade level she wanted to teach. “I have found that high school students provide me with the greatest opportunity to push them to accomplish difficult tasks and prepare them for life as independent learners and thinkers,” Reachard said.