Developmental Education Division

Ms. Deborah Hartzell

Deborah Hartzell has been Director of Developmental Education at Lackawanna College since 1995. She currently is responsible for screening all Lackawanna College applicants for prerequisite basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. She is also a full-time tenured instructor teaching developmental reading, writing and mathematics courses. In addition, she serves as Special Population Coordinator for the Perkins Vocational Education Grant. In this capacity, she is responsible for monitoring services to special population students as well as collecting, organizing and reporting data required for grant documentation.

Ms. Hartzell was a GED instructor and Reading/Writing Lab Coordinator at the College prior to her appointment in Developmental Education. She also served as a substitute teacher and homebound instructor in the North Pocono School District for many years.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University in 1975. She received Reading Specialist certification in 1979 from Bloomsburg University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Reading from the University of Scranton.

Ms. Hartzell is a member of PADE (Pennsylvania Association of Developmental Educators), IRA (International Reading Association), KSRA (Keystone State Reading Association), NPRA (Northeaster Pennsylvania Reading Association) and NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English).

Ms. Hartzell is married and has two teenage sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening and traveling.

Ms. Emelia Angeli

Emelia (Emy) Angeli is an Instructor in Developmental Studies/English. Ms. Angeli earned her bachelor of arts degree in English (writing track) from East Stroudsburg University in 1996 and has received her Master’s degree in Communication Arts from Marywood University in 2002. She is also a member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society. Prior to her faculty appointment, Ms. Angeli served as the Writing Specialist/Writing Lab Director for the College’s tutoring lab.

Before pursuing a career in academia at Lackawanna College, Ms. Angeli was the director of alumni relations and grants writer for the College. Her additional professional activities include grants writing for local and out of town businesses and organizations and public relations consulting. She previously was employed by East Stroudsburg University as a staff writer for the Department of Institutional Giving and Grants where she coordinated grant applications, edited grants booklets and worked with the National Tutoring Association.  She is a volunteer for the United Way and Akita Rescue.

Ms. Angeli is a member of PADE (Pennsylvania Association of Developmental Educators), NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English), ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Humane Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the ACA (Akita Club of America).

Mr. Anthony M. DiMattia

Anthony M. DiMattia is an Instructor in Developmental Education/Mathematics at the College. As such, he teaches the whole range of mathematics courses, beginning with developmental levels and culminating in pre-calculus. Mr. DiMattia earned an Associate’s Degree in Education from Lackawanna College and BA in Elementary Education from King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). Prior to his faculty appointment, Mr. DiMattia served as the Math Specialist/Math Lab Coordinator in the College’s tutoring lab. Mr. DiMattia has also been the College’s head baseball coach since 1999.

Mr. DiMattia began his service with the College as an admissions advisor and assistant baseball coach for two years. He also volunteered his time as a youth coach in the Old Forge Teener Leagues. During high school, Mr. DiMattia was a member of the 1992 Pennsylvania State Class AA Baseball Championship Team.

Mr. DiMattia is a member PADE (Pennsylvania Association for Developmental Educators), NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), and ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association)

Deborah Prazych

Deborah Prazych is the Mathematics Specialist for the Mathematics Lab in the Academic Improvement Center. As such, she assists students who may have difficulty understanding either the theory behind or the methods for solving particular problems in algebra, statistical analysis or pre-calculus.

Deborah received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mathematics Education from the University of Scranton. She has taught in the Mathematics Department in the Scranton and Abington Heights school districts and in the Continuing Education Department at Marywood University.

Outside of the academic world, she previously worked as an Information Systems Consultant and a private tutor.

In addition to her tutoring responsibilities, Mrs. Prazych teaches Mathematics and Computer Information Systems courses and serves on the Scholarship Committee. She is a member of PADE (Pennsylvania Association for Developmental Educators), and NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics).

She resides in Clarks Summit with her husband Gerald.