MR. CHRISTOPHER AVVAMPATO , HS PRINCIPAL
cavvampato@everettasd.org | 814-652-9114 ext. 1027
MRS. LAURIE CRISWELL, MS PRINCIPAL
lcriswell@everettasd.org | 814-652-9114 ext. 1015
Mrs. Criswell was hired for the position of Everett Area Middle School (MS) Principal on August 14, 2014. She is native to Bedford County graduating from Chestnut Ridge High School. Laurie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to further her professional career as an administrator through Shippensburg University.
In 1997, Mrs. Criswell earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She used her educational training to teach students in grades K, 4 and 5 for approximately 23 years at Chestnut Ridge School District. Her passion and love for educating students led her to make the decision to further the role she would play in education. She enrolled in a Masters of Education Plan at Shippensburg University attaining the degree in 1993. She has since added to her educational achievements a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility in August 2017.
Laurie embarked on her first opportunity to advance administratively when she chose to serve as Interim Assistant HS Principal at Chestnut Ridge in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she was hired by Tussey Mountain School District as the Elementary Principal. She held this post until 2012 when she accepted the position of Elementary Principal for Claysburg Kimmel. She found these opportunities very rewarding, but kindled the desire to work for a larger school district. In August 2014, she was afforded that opportunity and assumed the role of MS Principal with our District. The District welcomes her positive, devoted, motivational leadership style to its administrative team.
Throughout her career as a principal, Mrs. Criswell served as a Truancy Officer managing truancy issues and developing a Truancy Elimination Plan. She also managed PSSA testing, analyzed student performance data, conducted staff professional development, evaluated staff, served as LEA for Individual Educational Programs, aligned curriculum, monitored Blended Schools Online programming, dealt with budgeting and handled student discipline.
Mrs. Criswell is a highly motivated, dedicated school leader who embraces the notion that you can never stop learning! Through her life experiences as both a teacher and administrator, she will continue to strive to engage students, parents and the community in learning for a lifetime!
MR. TRAVIS LEAP, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
tleap@everettasd.org | 814-652-9114 ext. 1159
Travis Leap is the MS/HS Assistant Principal at Everett Area School District in Everett, PA. His leadership at Everett Area Middle School is guided by a philosophy that values safety, happiness, and academic success for all students.
After completing his high school education at Hyndman High School, Travis pursued his passion for music at Lebanon Valley College, earning bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance in 2004. He furthered his commitment to educational excellence by obtaining a Masters of Education from Saint Francis University in 2019.
A devoted soccer fan, Travis channels his passion for the game into promoting a spirit of collaboration and resilience among students. As an outdoorsman, he enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Pennsylvania, which further nurtures his appreciation for the environment and community engagement.
Travis's hobbies, including photography and music, are integral to his approach to education, allowing him to create a relatable and engaging atmosphere at school. Under his leadership, Everett Area Middle School is not just a place of learning but a community where students are encouraged to explore their passions and develop holistically.