Inspired by the kindness legacy of Fred Rogers, this year’s 143 Day celebration at Shaler Area Elementary School will feature something new: the first-ever Upstander Awards, honoring three remarkable individuals who embody compassion, service, and community spirit.
Attendees at this year’s 143 Day celebration on Thursday, May 22 at Shaler Area Elementary School will witness a special ceremony honoring three beloved members of the Shaler Area community with the first-ever Upstander Awards.
The inaugural recipients of this new award are longtime 8th grade math teacher Ms. Melissa McConville, School Resource officer Frank Spiker, and community librarian Ms. Ingrid Kalchthaler—known to most as Ms. Ing through her work at the Shaler North Hills Library next to the Middle School.
The trio will be recognized at the conclusion of the fourth annual kindness event, which centers around the theme of “Kindness Grows,” a message inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers and his belief in the power of compassion.
Presented by the Shaler Area Light Foundation and the SAMS Student Council, the Upstander Award is similar to a lifetime achievement award. It honors individuals who have brought the community together through kindness, positivity, and a lasting commitment to making a difference.
Upstander Melissa McConville Leaves a Lasting Legacy
After teaching 8th grade math at Shaler Area for 28 years, Ms. Melissa McConville is ready for a new chapter. A veteran educator of 34 years, the Shaler Area Middle School mainstay is set to retire at the conclusion of the school year.
Known for a warm smile, a passionate love of dogs, and her fondness for country music star Keith Urban, Ms. McConville has been synonymous with the “good” in the Shaler Area community for close to three decades.
Evidence of her influence can be found covering the walls of her classroom, where thousands of photos, artifacts, and memorabilia hang in honor of her students, their families, and their accomplishments. Her classroom’s walls tell her story of connection, commitment, and community—and present a convincing case of her impact and dedication.
Ms. McConville became an Upstander due to her devotion to thousands of Shaler Area students. In addition to teaching math, she spent years working with student councils, Homecoming committees, and numerous school clubs and organizations. Like many educators, Ms. McConville credits her own teachers with inspiring her to enter the profession.
“Every teacher I had left an impact on me,” she told members of the SAMS Podcast Club for their Shaler Stories series. “They made learning fun, creative, and exciting. I wanted to bring that excitement to kids.”
After decades of teaching, Ms. McConville admits she’s a little nervous about her future. “I’m a people person,” she said. “That’s one thing I’m nervous about in retirement. I hope I don’t get lonely. I really feed off of being around positive people and kids with their energy.”
Ms. Melissa McConville positively influenced thousands of Shaler Area students during a teaching career that spanned three decades.
Her retirement plans include spending time with her elderly parents, who are 86 and 89, and enjoying hobbies like dog rescue, crafts, and reading. She also plans on watching her favorite team: the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“Life sped up during the pandemic,” she said. “I just want it to slow down and to enjoy the simple things again.”
As her teaching career comes to a close, Ms. McConville has a lasting message for students and fellow teachers: “Make connections with each other. If you make strong connections, that is where you will find success.”
“Find something good every day,” Ms. McConville added—spoken like the Shaler Area Upstander that she is.
Upstander Frank Spiker Has Kept Shaler Safe, Informed, and Inspired
Retiring School Resource Officer Frank Spiker is another inaugural Upstander Award recipient.
Known for a friendly but firm demeanor, a lifelong commitment to public safety, and his positive influence throughout the district, Officer Spiker’s name undoubtedly belongs among those who have made Shaler Area School District a better place to live.
A 33-year veteran of public safety, Officer Spiker began his career as a 911 dispatcher before becoming a night-shift patrol officer, where he says “he arrested many people.” Through that experience, he learned that good policing requires clear communication:
“Being able to talk openly, being able to connect and understand, and being able to get people to listen are key traits to being a cop,” he said.
Officer Spiker eventually made his way into Shaler Area’s schools, where he worked tirelessly to educate, protect, and serve the school community. He led presentations on active shooter safety, drug awareness, internet safety, and anti-vaping education. He also volunteered for the middle school’s annual 9/11 presentation, where he shared rare photographs from Ground Zero with students born after the attacks.
His calm presence, positive attitude, and ability to connect with students make him a great fit for the community. He spent the past several years mostly at the High School, where “all the kids are pretty great,” he said.
School Resorce officer Frank Spiker relied on communication to protect the Shaler Area community during a 33-year career in public safety.
He especially valued working with older students and keeping them safe. “The older kids… it is almost like being on a peer level that I can interact with them. You’re able to help,” he said.
He pointed to relationship-building as one of the best parts of his job and often spoke with students interested in careers in law enforcement or the military. “We talked to a lot of students at the high school who have expressed interest,” he said. “We encourage them. There are a number of different routes. These can be really great careers.” Now, as he prepares for retirement, Officer Spiker is excited to spend more time with his grandson. “I plan on babysitting,” he laughed. “My wife tells me I’m going to get another job.”
He also looks forward to cheering on his favorite football team, the Pitt Panthers.
Even though he’s ready for a slower pace, Officer Spiker takes his current job very seriously. “I am here to both protect and educate the 3,700 students in the district,” he said. “Protecting you folks and educating you is a lot of work. If I can impart some knowledge to you that makes you a better person, I’m glad to do that.”
He also reflected on how much things have changed since he graduated from high school in 1988. “Before cell phones, before the internet,” he said, “you actually had to open a book. It was pretty neat!”
Whether leading an assembly or saying hello in the hallway, Officer Spiker is someone students and staff have learned to trust. His Upstander Award recognizes his sacrifice, bravery, and his kindness.
“I am very appreciative and I am honored that they thought that about me,” he said.
Upstander Ms. Ing Shares Love, Laughter, and Acceptance at the Shaler North Hills Library
The third Upstander Award winner is someone students may recognize from across the Shaler Area Middle School parking lot: Ms. Ingrid Kalchthaler from the Shaler North Hills Library.
Affectionately known as Ms. Ing, she is a model awardee thanks to her inclusive, warm, and welcoming personality.
Ms. Ing has spent much of her life supporting and encouraging others through her work in public libraries. She worked for 10 years at the Bethel Park Public Library before joining Shaler North Hills Library more than 13 years ago.
Ms. Ingrid “Ing” Kalchthaler brings ideals of inclusion, acceptance, and kindness to the Shaler North Hills Library.
Despite decades in the field, Ms. Ing didn’t always dream of becoming a librarian. “I hated the library when I was a child,” she admitted, explaining how she felt excluded from programs as a kid. Those early experiences shaped her approach to librarianship.
“When I became a librarian, I was so determined not to let any little kids suffer like I did,” she said.
A quiet and shy young person, Ms. Ing credits Shaler Area teaching legend Mr. Dave Fortune with changing her life. “Mr. Fortune taught a class called Speech and Debate, and I signed up. Everyone thought I was crazy (because of my shyness).” His class helped her fall in love with words, reading, and storytelling—something she now shares regularly with children during her book readings.
“Libraries are meant to be loving, welcoming spaces,” she said. “The library is for all ages: the family, the community. It’s for everybody—it’s for all people.”
Ms. Ing says books aren’t even her favorite thing about the library—people are. “I love people. I love stories… whether they come in book format or people’s hearts.” She added, “My absolute favorite thing in the world is people.”
In addition to being a librarian, Ms. Ing is a Presbyterian minister, an interfaith pastor at a retirement home, and a stand-up comedian. She speaks openly about how difficult school was for her due to her shyness.
“School was really hard,” she said. “I was so shy… and when I talked in public, my face got really red.”
Today, she strives to connect with people—especially those who are struggling. “Most of us are living paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “The library being something that is already free… gives people the leg up they might need.”
Ms. Ing said that the Upstander Award will inspire her to continue spreading kindness: “To be recognized by a community that I respect so much, it means so much,” she said. “It was such a surprise. I hope to be that person that this award makes the claim that I am.”
She also sees the good in others. “I absolutely believe that every single one of us is made with essential goodness,” she said. “Don’t let anybody tell you that you are not good.”
Publisher’s note: Nate Lorence, Paisley Balzer, Bella Castile, Peyton Schardt, Larkin Foley, Jacob Fudor, and Braleigh Brubaker contributed to this story. A special thanks goes to Ms. Brenda Barner, who arranged for the SAMS Podcast Club to interview each of the awardees for the Shaler Stories series. Ms. Jill Millard and the Student Council also worked to make this idea a reality.
