Roles
Biography
Dr Mertz is a lifelong learner; her formal education is in Architectural Engineering, including a PhD from Carnegie Mellon and an M.S. from MIT. But her true passion is in serving the church, continuing education, and teaching. She has taught Algebra II and German to homeschoolers, tutored neurodivergent children, and taught middle school math at an after-school program.
She enjoys making learning accessible and enjoyable for every student, meeting them exactly where they are. She loves to teach math because while it is concrete and precise, it is also the gateway to the art and science of the natural world. Dr. Mertz seeks to find beauty and order in all things and is looking forward to sharing this perspective with her students.
As a convert to Orthodoxy, Dr. Mertz’s life is interwoven with the seasons and cycles of the Orthodox Church. She is a dedicated member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of McKees Rocks, PA, where she serves as parish council member, treasurer, and high school Sunday school teacher. She very intentionally welcomes newcomers to the church and makes a special effort to develop relationships with members from other countries.
She learned German as an adult while in her PhD program and after marrying a man from Germany. Together they live in Pittsburgh with their three children, grandson, and labrador retriever. She is enthusiastic about exploring the outdoors, genealogical research, reading, foreign languages, and learning new things.
