Joanna Guldin-Noll
10/24/18
Joanna Guldin-Noll graduated from NL in 2004. In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing and a minor in Women’s studies from Penn State University, Schreyer Honors College. She also holds a Master’s degree in Secondary English Education from Johns Hopkins University, which she earned in 2008. Guldin-Noll taught 11th grade American Literature for five years in Baltimore, where she developed an AP English Language and Literature program and wrote curriculum for an SAT course. She coached students to participate in slam poetry competitions and advised the Student Council, senior class, and a reading club. She later worked as the editor of Military One Click, a website serving the military community. Currently, Guldin-Noll works as the Senior Produced Media Manager for the national non-profit, Blue Star Families. Her fiction and non-fiction have been published in numerous outlets, both online and in print, including the Huffington Post, Urbanite, Military Spouse Magazine, and Cross Stitcher. She serves on the boards of the Jonestown Historical Society and Compeer. She is also co-owner of Swatara Coffee Co. in Jonestown, a favorite gathering place of Jonestown residents.
Guldin-Noll currently resides in Jonestown, PA with her husband, John, who she met as a fellow trumpet player in the PSU Blue Band. She is involved at Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church as youth choir director, youth group advisor, and a church council member. Guldin-Noll enjoys reading, traveling, cross-stitching, eating cookie dough, and spending time with family and friends. The things that she most appreciated about her time at NL were “experiences in the English classes of Mr. Hunter, Mrs. Grimes, and Mr. Miller, leadership in extracurriculars such as Belron, Quiz Bowl, and Model UN, as well as my arts education with Mr. Hunsicker and Mr. Walmer, [which] gave me confidence in college to dive into and succeed in a top-tier university's band program and a rigorous honors English program.” The following is Guldin-Noll’s advice for current NL students: Read as much as you can. Participate in the arts. Pay attention in class. Dream big. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do because of who you are or where you're from.