Teaching wasn’t the first career that Mr. Joe Costa had in mind; in fact, he honestly admits that he really didn’t know what he wanted to do, but when decided to be a social studies teacher, he knew he made the right choice.

  “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” said Mr. Costa, who started working in the Shamokin Area School District on March 14. 

  Mr. Costa teaches Ancient World 1, Ancient World 2, and AP World. He replaces long-time social studies teacher Mrs. Bethann Shaffer, who is now teaching at Shikellamy High School.

  “I’ve always taken an interest in social studies, specifically history,” Mr. Costa explains. “I decided I would like to be involved with it everyday and knew I did not mind kids so I thought it would be a good idea.”

  When asked what he likes best about history, he added, “I like how we can look at how it shapes our current world and everyday lives.”

  Prior to his new SA job, Costa taught World Cultures, Government, Economics, Geography, and PA History at Nativity BVM High School, a private school in Pottsville. 

  Moving from a private to public school is a change, but Mr. Costa is prepared. “Yes! It's different from my last school for sure, but I think it's great,” he stated. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of moving to public school and getting the best out of my students.”

  Mr.Costa graduated high school from North Schuylkill in 2015 and Penn State in 2020 with a degree in Secondary Education: Social Studies. In his free time, Mr. Costa has many interests. 

“When the weather is nice, I love to go out and golf.  If I am stuck inside I like to either play video games or read,” he said.