School of Education

Larra Agate

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Larra Agate earned her BA in Biology from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and MSEd from Sage Graduate School in Troy, New York. Mrs. Agate has been in the classroom for 18 years, and she teaches Life Science and Regents Living Environment at Linden Avenue Middle School in the Red Hook Central School District. A strong advocate for the education of the middle level child, she fosters her students' appreciation and love for the sciences. Her favorite part about teaching STEM is that each year she can try new experiments, develop new and innovative labs, and build on previous experiences. The excitement of the students, those "ah-hah" moments when they have discovered something new, makes the profession richly rewarding. When she isn't teaching, Mrs. Agate is busy being a musician. Her primary instrument is flute, but she also plays the piano. Most importantly, she is "Mom" to two girls (10 and 6). They are both scientific and musical! A favorite quote of Mrs. Agate is "Most people say it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character." –Albert Einstein.

Ryan Ahearn

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Ryan Ahearn earned his BS in Secondary Education from Bloomsburg University, MSEd from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Education Leadership from Stony Brook University. Mr. Ahearn has been in the classroom for the past 17 years teaching both middle school and high school science. Currently, he is teaching 8th grade Physical Science, 8th grade Regents Living Environment, and serves as the 6-8 Department Chair for the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School. Mr. Ahearn has been an advisor for a Science Honor Society and Safe School Ambassador programs. He is a part of his district's technology committee, strategic planning committee, and professional development plan committee. Additionally, he is a member of his building's emergency response team, data team, and building council. Mr. Ahearn maintains membership in the Science Teachers Association of NYS and the National Science Teaching Association. During the summer months he is the Water Safety Supervisor for the New Jersey State Parks Northern Region. When not in school he is spending time with his family outdoors. As a Master Teacher, Mr. Ahearn is looking forward to learning from his colleagues and being able to bring his experiences back to Monroe-Woodbury.

Colette Alonge-Watz

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Millbrook Central School District

Colette Alonge-Watz earned her BS in Chemistry from Siena College, MA in Educational Psychology from Marist College, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Theory and Practice, Science and Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Albany. Ms. Alonge-Watz began teaching in 1992 and was inspired by her father, a science teacher himself, and her mother, a nurse, to pursue a career in science education. She currently teaches Regents Chemistry, International Baccalaureate (IB) High Level Chemistry and Forensic Science at Millbrook High School. Here she also advises the Environmental Club and various classes. She is on the Advisory Board of the Stissing Theatre Guild. Ms. Alonge-Watz has also worked as an adjunct professor at Columbia-Greene Community College and SUNY Albany. She is a member of both the American Association of Chemistry Teachers and the National Science Teachers Association. She is passionate about implementing Green Chemistry principles and offering her students authentic experiences in scientific inquiry. Ms. Alonge-Watz loves spending time with her family at the beach, enjoys music, and rescues cats. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is inspired to learn from and work with other STEM teachers to improve both scientific and data literacy.

James Amodio

Wappingers Central School District

James Amodio earned his BA and MA from Adelphi University. He double majored in Physics and Philosophy as an undergraduate student and focused on Secondary Education in his graduate years. He was awarded "Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of Year" by Yonkers Public Schools. Mr. Amodio has 19 years of teaching experience in public and private schools, suburban and urban school settings, teaching both middle and high school courses. He teaches Conceptual Physics, Regents Physics, and Project Lead The Way: Principles of Engineering at John Jay Sr. High School, and is a member of the Culturally Responsive Committee, and coach of two FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics teams. During the summer, Mr. Amodio teaches electronics and coding courses at Discover Camp in Hawthorne, NY. In the past, he taught courses involving Arduino, Raspberry Pis, wearable electronics, and creating Do-It-Yourself (DIY) handheld and tabletop video game consoles. Mr. Amodio is a leader in a Cub Scout Pack and a Scouts Boy Scouts of America (BS) Troop, in addition to being the STEM Coordinator for the Dutchess District in the BSA of the Greater Hudson Valley Council. He plays upright bass and has been featured on recordings of several different roots rock groups. He also plays a variety of video and tabletop games with friends and family. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Amodio is looking forward to collaborating with Professional Learning Teams.

Alison Andolino

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston School District

Alison Andolino earned her BS in Biology from SUNY New Paltz, and MA in Education from the University of Colorado Boulder. In the classroom for 15 years, Ms. Andolino teaches Life Science and Integrated Life Science at M. Clifford Miller Middle School.

Leslie Anson

Millbrook Central School District

Leslie Anson earned her BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Middle School Mathematics from the University of Delaware and a MSEd in Special Education from SUNY New Paltz. Ms. Anson has been teaching middle school mathematics for 12 years, and was the recipient of the 2020 Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. Currently, she is teaching 6th grade mathematics and Academic Interventions Services mathematics class. Ms. Anson has been advisor to the Wellness Club and the National Junior Honor Society, and has been a member of many committees at the middle school, such as the Building Leadership Team, the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Team, and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports committee. Ms. Anson coached softball and soccer for Millbrook and tennis outside of the school district. She loves to connect math and the community by bringing in guest speakers and having students participate in a math night at the local grocery store. She has a love for statistics and finds excitement in connecting it to her life. In her free time, Ms. Anson loves to run, cycle, and be outside in the sunshine. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Anson is looking forward to being more involved with great mathematics educators. She is excited to join these educators as they make a difference in STEM instruction for their students.

Susan Arduino

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh School District

Susan Arduino earned her BS in Biology, with a double minor in Chemistry and Philosophy at Seton Hill University and her Masters in Teaching from SUNY New Paltz. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Arduino worked as a Laboratory Supervisor in a medical office. In the classroom for 13 years, Mrs. Arduino teaches Regents and Honors Chemistry at Newburgh Free Academy, and looks forward to teaching Advanced Placement Chemistry in the next school year. Mrs. Arduino has participated in Cornell Institute for Chemistry Teachers, Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers, College Board Advanced Placement Chemistry workshop, as well as Materials Science workshops at Princeton University. During the school year, Mrs. Arduino has been involved in the "Adopt a Grad" program, to mentor at-risk teens during their senior year of high school. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Arduino rides horses and competes in Hunter/Jumper events. Her motto is "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Arduino looks forward to joining the Chemistry and Next Generation Science Standards Professional Learning Teams, and participating in the mini-course on Nanoscience.

Greg Bartholdi

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Chester Union Free School District

Greg Bartholdi earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Iona College, M.A. in Mathematics Education from CUNY City College, M.A. in Earth Science Education from CUNY Lehman College, and M.A. in School Building Leadership from Mercy College. In his 14th year of teaching, he is teaching Earth Science and a Marine Science elective. Prior to teaching, Mr. Bartholdi held a brief stint working for a funds company on Park Avenue before deciding that he would rather be in a classroom. He was accepted into the NYC Teaching Fellows program in 2006 and was a fellow of Math for America. Outside of the classroom, he coaches the girls modified volleyball team in the Washingtonville Central School District. Mr. Bartholdi is extremely excited to be joining this wonderful professional community that is the New York State Master Teacher Program. He is looking forward to the opportunity to share with, and learn from, other professionals who are as excited about making a difference in the lives of their students as he is.

Deborah Beam

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Deborah Beam earned her BS in Secondary Education Biology and Chemistry from SUNY Cortland, Masters in Science Teaching in Chemistry and Physics from South Dakota State University, and National Board Certification in Adolescent Science. Certified to teach all four sciences at the secondary level, Mrs. Beam teaches International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology Higher Level at Red Hook High School. Prior to Red Hook, Mrs. Beam taught at Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida, Scarsdale High School in Scarsdale, NY and Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, NY. In the classroom for 30 years, Ms. Beam has also worked as a Bard College Adjunct Teacher for their Master of Arts in Teaching program, and as a Biology Mentor Teacher for Dutchess County. Mrs. Beam is proud to reveal that several Master Teachers were some of her student teachers. Mrs. Beam coaches Varsity Field Hockey at her alma mater Pine Plains. Past accolades include Biology Teacher of the Year in 2011 by the National Association of Biology Teachers of NYS and Outstanding Science Teacher in 2002 by the Southeast region of the Science Teachers Association of NYS. Mrs. Beam has three children who are currently in college studying to become teachers.

Jennifer Belfiore

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Greenburgh Central School District

Jennifer Belfiore earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Women's Studies from Boston College and her MA in Secondary Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. During her undergraduate career she spent a semester at sea through Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, solidifying her passion for science. In September 2000, she began her teaching career in at Anne M. Dorner Middle School, but soon left the formal classroom to pursue teaching science in the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. Currently, Ms. Belfiore teaches Regents Earth Science at Woodlands High School. She spent 15 years teaching and developing science education programming for American Museum of Natural History. Outside the classroom, Ms. Belfiore created the Woodlands High School Animal Care and Husbandry Club, which is geared towards students who love animals, and are interested in studying zoology or veterinary medicine. The students study and care for the animals in her classroom, ranging from mammals and reptiles, to amphibians and arthropods. Ms. Belfiore belongs to both National Science Teachers Association and Science Teachers Association of NYS, and has presented at both conferences. What's on her science bucket list? Experiencing 24 hours of darkness north of the Arctic Circle and observing the Northern Lights in Iceland!

Jessica Benson

Newburgh City School District

Jessica Benson earned her BS in Biology Education with a minor in Psychology and MA in Educational Psychology from Marist College. Ms. Benson has taught at Newburgh Free Academy since 2011 and is currently teaching Honors Biology and AP Biology classes. She has also taught Living Environment and Field Biology. Ms. Benson was a co-advisor for the NYS Science Honor Society for 5 years where she coordinated science- related field trips, planned community service events, and invited guest speakers in the STEM field to educate students. She also has participated in many school programs and committees such as the building leadership team, adopt-a-grad program, the Empire tutoring program, extended school year program, and curriculum writing. Teaching has always been in her career plan after being inspired by her high school chemistry teacher. Ms. Benson strives to be as inspiring to her students as he was to her. Outside of the classroom, she likes to spend time with her husband, 2 daughters, and 2 dogs. As a NYS master teacher, she looks forward to working with her peers to develop rich lessons to further engage her students.

Heidi Bernasconi

Clarkstown Central School District

Heidi Bernasconi earned a BS in Biology and Secondary Education from Clarion University and MS in Instructional technology from the New York Institute of Technology, and is a certified Google Trainer. Ms. Bernasconi has also served as Ed Tech consultant for Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES and Explore Network Schools in Brooklyn, and a Virtual Reality and Next Generation Science Standards consultant for immersive science-focused video games. Ms. Bernasconi won the Rockland 40 and 40 and the Lower Hudson Regional Information Pioneer Award for her work in the community and in the field of Ed Tech. At Clarkstown High School North for 19 years, she has taught Living Environment i International Baccalaureate Sports Exercise and Health Science and College Marine Science. She is a member of district Technology and PD committees, and her building’s Wellness/Social Emotional Learning committee. Outside of school, she loves hiking, biking, ice skating, and skiing with her family, as well as citizen science volunteer work with her daughter. They are involved in the American Eel Project and Keeping Rockland Clean events. Ms. Bernasconi is looking forward to new events this year, such as coaching Girls on the Run at her local elementary school, teaching an online course for the New York State Science Learning Standards, and working with her new cohort of Master Teachers to broaden and refine STEM learning for her students.

Paul Bianchi

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Chappaqua Central School District

Paul Bianchi earned a BS in physics at Iona College and an MA in Math Education from Teachers College-Columbia. After nine years teaching at Rice High School and All Saints High School in New York City, Mr. Bianchi spent four years teaching International Baccalaureate Physics at The Koc School in Istanbul, Turkey. Since 1998, Mr. Bianchi has been teaching Regents and Advanced Placement Physics (and Research for a few years) at Horace Greeley High School. Inspired by his study of Modeling Physics Instruction at Arizona State, he has since spent several summers teaching workshops in Buffalo and New York City. He recently completed a two-year action research project with his school district on standards-based grading. Outside of school, Mr. Bianchi enjoys his husband's fantastic cooking, hiking in Harriman State Park, and programming Arduino boards to do cool things. Within the NYS Maser Teacher Program, Mr. Bianchi is looking forward to discussions with peers who are enthusiastic about their craft and open to new ways of doing things. So far, he's been especially intrigued by workshops on 3d printing and its role in maker education, and plans to spend time this summer in the MakerBot Lab at SUNY New Paltz to organize a school maker space and related course in Technology and Design with several colleagues.

Cindy Binnie

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Cindy Binnie earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Binghamton University, M.A.T. from Bard College, and her National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult Science. Since 2009, Mrs. Binnie has been teaching AP Chemistry, Regents Chemistry and Science Research at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, NY. She is a co-advisor of the Environmental Awareness Club and a liaison to the district's Math & Science Fair. Outside of the classroom Mrs. Binnie enjoys spending time with her family, including her 2 active sons who inspire her to be the best teacher she can be. She is looking forward to participating in professional development that will allow her to collaborate with other Master Teachers and explore new opportunities to help her students.

Maria Bradfield

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Putnam Valley School District

Maria Bradfield earned her BA in biology with magna cum laude distinction from Hamilton College. As an undergraduate, she was awarded Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi status, and earned two fellowships for graduate studies in biology. Mrs. Bradfield earned her MS in Biological Sciences from SUNY Binghamton, during which time she was a research assistant on a USDA-funded project. Her research findings were published in two professional science journals, the American Midland Naturalist and the Journal of Chemical Ecology. In the classroom 14 years, Mrs. Bradfield teaches middle school science in the Putnam Valley Central School District. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has been a coach, a curriculum coordinator, and team leader. She is active in professional associations, presenting at the NYS Association for Computer and Technology Education and the Association for Middle Level Education. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Bradfield looks forward to diving into content mini-courses and professional learning team collaboration with other scientists and teachers. Mrs. Bradfield believes Carl Sagan was correct with his proclamation, "Every kid is a natural born scientist," and she is devoted to K-12 science education believing that scientific literacy is crucial, and science education is to be celebrated.

Anne Bratt

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

North Salem Central School District

Anne Bratt earned her M.A. in Mathematics from the University at Albany. She taught in the Wappingers School district for fifteen years and is currently teaching in the North Salem School District. A passionate teacher, Mrs. Bratt is currently teaching Pre-Calculus, College Calculus, and AP Calculus AB. Outside of the classroom, she advises the North Salem Math Club, Junior Class, and the Math Honor Society. Attending and presenting at math conferences has become a favorite activity that enhances her teaching. Embracing the concept of a growth mindset and Habits of Mind is the most recent emphasis embedded within her classroom lessons. Mrs. Bratt enjoys spending time with her two children and a wonderfully supportive husband. Her son is a senior in high school and her daughter is currently studying to be a secondary mathematics teacher. She is eager to immerse herself in the NYSMTP.

Margaret Brewer-Laporta

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Margaret Brewer-Laporta earned her BS in Anthropology/Geological Sciences from CUNY Hunter College, her MS and PhD in Anthropology/Geological Sciences from the University of Kentucky, and her MST in Inclusive Adolescent Education from Pace University. Always a research scientist, Dr. LaPorta conducted tectonic stratigraphic analyses for prehistoric bedrock quarry studies with LaPorta and Associates, Geological Consultants. She continues this research as a Senior Research Scientist with The Center for the Investigation of Native and Ancient Quarries, a NYS 501.c3 research institution, based in NYS. Dr. LaPorta started teaching at the University of Kentucky, continuing as an adjunct professor at SUNY Purchase, SUNY Orange, and Pace University, where she still teaches today. Looking to improve her craft, she joined Pace’s School of Education and earned three NYS 7-12 certifications in Earth Science: Students with Disabilities, and Students with Disabilities, Earth Science Extension. After graduation, Dr. LaPorta started her 7-12 career at Pelham Memorial High School, teaching ICT Living Environment. In September 2016, Dr. LaPorta joined the Special Education Department at Monroe Woodbury High School, teaching Regents Earth Science, Integrated Chemistry and Physics, and Curriculum Support. She now serves in the role of Special Education Department Chairperson. Dr. LaPorta loves natural landscapes, botanical art, glass painting, and discovering with her family. Dr. LaPorta looks forward to collaborating with fellow Master Teachers, to continue to refine her teaching practices, and to expand the ways to bring science into our communities.

Martha Brunelle

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Middletown City School District

Martha Brunelle received her BS in Secondary Education from SUNY at Buffalo, and MA in Biology from SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for 15 years, Ms. Brunelle teaches Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations at Middletown City Schools. A strong advocate for inquiry and project-based learning, she involves her students with activities that are technology-filled and choice-based that provide opportunities to broaden their knowledge of several medical conditions. Her professional interests focus on concussions in adolescents as well as other athletic training issues that afflict our students. Her current projects include continued research on concussions as well as development of head gear to protect athletes that minimize rotational and kinetic forces on the brain. In addition, she serves as Co-Chairperson for "Project Lead the Way" Biomedical Sciences Advisory Board for Middletown High School and Co-Chairperson for the student organization "Future Medical Professionals." Dr. Merryl Tisch honored Ms. Brunelle for her contributions to science education with a visit to her classroom. As a result of the NYS Master Teacher Program, Ms. Brunelle has been able to better reach students' learning styles using the various activities and strategies she learned through collaboration with other Master Teachers.

Colleen Bucci

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

Colleen Bucci earned her BS in Biology from SUNY Cortland and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College. Mrs. Bucci has been in the classroom for 6 years, and she teaches Living Environment, Ecology, and Forensics at F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, NY. A strong advocate for problem-based learning and bringing real world issues into the classroom, she focuses on involving her students in activities and exposing them to issues that motivate them to become more active learners. Her professional interests focus on finding ways to help students become connected to the world around them to open doors for them so that they can see the value that science holds in our ever changing world. Her previous projects involved student trips to the Wolf Conservation Center and local Hudson River wetlands, curriculum development for Winnakee Educational Arboretum, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and the Wolf Conservation Center. In addition, she serves on her district's Strategic Planning Committee, is a member of the NSTA, and is a member of the Wolf Conservation Center's Education Team. She was recently featured on the cover of Hudson Valley Magazine, February 2014 Issue.

Melanie Buchanan

Tuckahoe Union Free School District

Melanie Buchanan earned a BFA in musical theater from Creighton University, BS in Chemistry from Purdue University, and a MAT from Relay Graduate School of Education. Ms. Buchanan began her teaching career in Lima, Peru, where she taught middle school science and math at a rural school outside of the metropolitan area. Upon returning to the United States, she was accepted into the New York City Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) where she was a part of the last spring apprenticeship program. After finishing the NYCTF program, she was accepted into the prestigious New York City Math for America program (MfA), where she fostered her love of learning by taking classes from other Master Teachers to help enhance her pedagogy. Ms. Buchanan currently teaches Regents and AP Chemistry at Tuckahoe High School, where she is also heavily involved in the musical theater program. Teaching since 2014, she is very excited to learn about implementing the Next Generation Science Standards, as well as developing storylines and more project-based learning activities into her classroom.

Aaron Burke

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Beacon City School District

Aaron Burke earned his BA in Political Science from SUNY New Paltz and his MA in Elementary Education from SUNY Brockport. He has taught for 20 years, starting as a Technology Teacher at P.S. 124 in Brooklyn, NY. The desire to teach began at a lecture in 1990 by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. at SUNY Brockport in which he talked about the need for multicultural education. He is currently the Library and Technology Teacher at South Avenue Elementary School in Beacon, NY. He is also the Yearbook advisor, Chess Club Advisor, and previously the Math Club Advisor. His son started attending SUNY Oneonta this year with a Biology Major and his 16 year old daughter is a junior in Rondout Valley School District. One of his favorite parts of his job is producing the South Avenue Morning News Show each day, where the students research, film, and anchor the show. His love of learning comes from numerous hobbies like knitting, rock hounding, traveling with his wife, and beekeeping. Currently there are so many exciting STEM curriculum ideas that at times, he feels like a cat chasing too many mice. He looks forward to using his time in the Master Teacher Program to hone and focus his teaching skills.

Gwendolyn Burke

Tuckahoe Union Free School District

Gwendolyn Burke earned her BS in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, MS in Environmental Engineering from Manhattan College, MBA in Finance from NYU Stern, and Advanced Certificate in Secondary Education from the PACE - Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES program "Come Teach with Us". Ms. Burke entered teaching after working as an engineer for fourteen years and then running a family business. As an engineer, she held various roles, including as a consultant for medical and hazardous waste management, and as a construction engineer on the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. She began teaching in 2009, and teaches Advanced Placement Physics, Regents Physics, Applications of Physics in Engineering and Forensic Science at Tuckahoe High School. Ms. Burke is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the American Modeling Teachers Association, and STEMTeachersNYC. She is passionate about providing students with an outlet for their natural creativity and inquisitive nature in the classroom, and to this end, she is particularly interested in Modeling Instruction. In addition to classroom teaching, Ms. Burke serves as Robotics Club Advisor and Web Design Advisor. She enjoys long walks on the beach with her children and long walks in the park with her dog. Ms. Burke served as her daughters' Girl Scout Troop Leader and as a Community Leader for twelve years, and looks forward to purchasing cookies each spring. As a New York State Master Teacher, she is excited to collaborate with other educators as they share and learn from each other.

Elisha Byers

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Irvington Union Free School District

Elisha Byers earned his BA in Mathematics from Drew University, and MSEd from Mercy College. In the classroom for 15 years, Mr. Byers teaches Mathematics and Academic Lab at Irvington Middle School. A strong advocate of student-centered, differentiated instruction driven by data, he involves his students in problem-based learning in which students determine through discussion the validity of their methods. His professional interests focus on the needs of his students and that of his teaching peers by developing the professional learning community in his district. His current projects include the Initiative for Digital Organization (iDO), APPR Professional Development Team, the District Strategic Planning Committee, and the Educational Technology Development Team. In addition, Mr. Byers is a founding officer and serves as Vice President for the Frank J. Romano Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community through a variety of programs in Central NY. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Byers enjoyed attending the Project-Based Learning workshop in Albany, and has gained a lot from formal and informal conversations with Master Teacher colleagues.

Josie Cain

Harrison Central School District

Josie Cain earned her BS in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry at SUNY Purchase College and her Master of Secondary Science Education from Long Island University. In the classroom for 18 years, Mrs. Cain teaches Foundations in College Chemistry and CSI Forensic Science at Harrison High School. Mrs. Cain has participated in The CARY Institute’s School Woodland Ecosystem Study Project as a facilitator. During the school year, Mrs. Cain is an active mentor for Harrison’s student population in completing the Extended Essay, Personal Project, and National Honor Society programs. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Cain is an active gardener and volunteers at her local food pantry. She has recently designed and taught an after-school elementary class titled "Budding Botanists" at LaChat Town Farm. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Cain looks forward to joining the Green Chemistry Professional Learning Team and participating in courses such as The Ecology of Fresh Water Systems Resources from a Biochemical Perspective.

Lindsay Cannone

Somers Central School District

Lindsay Cannone earned her BS in Health Policy and Management from Providence College and her MSEd in Secondary Math Education from Long Island University. After a few years of pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sales, Mrs. Cannone went back to school to follow her passion to teach. After some time in the classroom, she returned to LIU and received an Advanced Certificate in Students with Disabilities. Mrs. Cannone has been teaching for 17 years, beginning her teaching career at The Bronx High School of Science in NYC. For the last 12 years, she has been teaching various levels of math at Somers High School. Currently, she teaches Calculus and leads small group instruction in Algebra through Calculus and provides Academic Intervention Service support to various students. Mrs. Cannone appreciates the opportunity to work with students at all levels from introductory to the Advanced Placement level and marvels at watching a scaffolded lesson enable students to discover mathematical connections for themselves. She enjoys attending performances and athletic events at the school and was previously the A Cappella advisor for multiple groups. Outside of school, Mrs. Cannone likes to spend time skiing or hiking with her family. As a Master Teacher working in an International Baccalaureate school, she looks forward to developing interdisciplinary units with her colleagues and learning from her peers in the Master Teacher program.

Amy Carman

Rye City School District

Amy Carman earned her BS in Communications from the University of Hartford and her MS in Elementary Education from Long Island University-Brooklyn. After trying out jobs in PR in both Minor League Baseball and test prep, Mrs. Carman began teaching at PS 31 in Brooklyn in 2001 as a fourth-grade teacher. While there, she also taught Elementary Science courses to NYC Teaching Fellows at Pace University. In 2006, she began teaching fourth grade at Osborn School in the Rye City School District and moved to fifth grade in 2011 in the same school. Mrs. Carman teaches all subjects to her fifth graders but mostly enjoys engaging them in collaborative math investigations, hands-on science experiences, inquiry-based projects, and STEM challenges. Mrs. Carman has piloted and implemented Project Based Learning in her flexible space classroom. She currently serves on the district Science Committee and the Executive Board of the Rye Teachers Association, and has written and directed nine original musicals for the entire fifth grade. In the past, she has been a member of the Rye Commitment Leadership team, and coached middle school soccer and softball, and the fifth grade Ballroom Dance Competition Team. Mrs. Carman loves sharing her love of learning with her students and her love of teaching with her colleagues. She is looking forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers, mentoring pre-service teachers, and implementing innovative STEM practices to inspire her students to become future STEM leaders.

Erica Castellano

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Scarsdale Union Free School District

Erica Castellano earned BS in Mathematics from the University of Miami (FL), with a minor in Probability and Statistics and MSEd in Secondary Special Education from CUNY Lehman. In addition, she recently completed a certificate program for Grades 5-6 Extension in Mathematics. In the classroom for seven years, Ms. Castellano has taught Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II & Trigonometry, and Advanced Placement Statistics. She is dedicated to fostering a love of mathematics amongst her students by planning activities for Pi Day and a quarterly Math newsletter. Ms. Castellano is an avid supporter of problem-based learning and has developed several learning units that encourage students to explore their own interests while applying the mathematics that they are learning in her classroom. She develops strong, supportive relationships with all of her students and creates a warm, welcoming classroom environment which enables all of her students to achieve. Ms. Castellano is looking forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers to help her grow and learn new ideas and strategies to bring back to her classroom.

Jennifer Cauthers

Mahopac Central School District

Jennifer Cauthers earned her BS in Animal Science from Cornell University and her MS in Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Cauthers worked as a surgical lab technician in a cardiology research laboratory at SUNY at Buffalo. Mrs. Cauthers has been teaching living environment for the past 24 years, and anatomy and physiology for the last eight years at Mahopac High School. She was awarded the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Grant in 2010. Over the years, she participated in the Cornell Institute of Biology Teachers and Marist College’s Science on the Move. She is an International Society for Technology in Education certified educator and Google Trainer and has presented on various topics relating to STEM at International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education, and the Future of Education Technology Conference. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Cauthers is a District Technology Leader, supporting the teachers and staff to effectively integrate technology in the classroom. Outside of school, Mrs. Cauthers enjoys skiing, dog training, and mountain biking. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Cauthers is looking forward to various mini-courses including on nanoscience and vertebrate evolution, and join the Biology Professional Learning Team

Kelly Clinchy

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yorktown Central School District

Kelly Clinchy earned her BA in Biology from Fordham University, and Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College. In the classroom for 20 years, Mrs. Clinchy teaches 7th grade life science at Mildred E. Strang Middle School. A strong advocate for fostering a love of science, creative thinking and individual accountability, she involves her students in a variety of activities that require teamwork, responsibility and adherence to the scientific process. She also coordinates and facilitates the U.S. Academic Triathlon in NYS. Mrs. Clinchy is a member of National Science Teachers Association, and enjoys learning about animal behavior when agility training with her dog. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Clinchy has joined others in running two very successful Demo Derby events in April 2015 and October 2015. Her favorite parts about teaching STEM is providing hands-on experience, helping students use science to make sense of their world and to learn more about themselves and other organisms.

Bruce Cobb

Kingston School District

Bruce Cobb earned his BA in English Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz in 1993 and his Master of Science in Teaching in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz in December 1999, after being inspired by a former teacher/mentor to return to school and pursue his passion for teaching. He was hired by the Kingston City School District in July of 2000 and has worked at M. Clifford Miller Middle School throughout his 19-year career, having taught 6th grade science, social studies, and ELA and is beginning his 6th year as a 5th grade math and science teacher. Bruce is currently serving as a Kingston Accelerated Learning Program advisor for 5th graders, is a co-advisor for the Miller Science Fair and a mentor to new teachers in the STEM field. Mr. Cobb is a member of the Science Teachers Association of New York State, National Science Teachers Association, and has served as a virtual judge for the Army's eCYBERMISSION STEM competitions. Bruce is an avid drummer and softball player, and is passionate about engaging his students in meaningful and intriguing STEM activities. As a NYS Master Teacher, he is looking forward to collaborating with other participants to deepen his knowledge of STEM-related content and share best practices with his peers.

Stephen Cohn

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

South Orangetown Central School District

Stephen Cohn earned his B.S. in Adolescent Education and Earth Science from SUNY Oneonta, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Science Education from Curtin University in Perth, Australia. Dr. Cohn has been teaching in South Orangetown School District for 13 years, starting his career in middle school and currently in Tappan Zee High School where he teaches Earth Science, Oceanography, Bioethics, and Astronomy. He is a member of the Science Teachers Association of NYS (STANYS) organization and is an annual attendee at their state conference. Dr. Cohn coaches the middle school cross country, high school ski, and advises the snowboard club, and class. He also serves on numerous committees in his building and district including science leadership, extended leadership, technology, curriculum council, and professional development. Dr. Cohn has led three spring break trips to Costa Rica for students to learn about the biodiversity, ecosystems, and geology of the region. In his free time, Dr. Cohn enjoys SCUBA diving and traveling to various countries around the world. He is also an active volunteer with his local ambulance corps. As a NYS Master Teacher, Dr. Cohn is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with other science teachers from around New York State and is looking forward to bringing many new ideas into his classroom and to share with other teachers in his district.

Kasey Collignon-Stankunas

Port Jervis City School District

Kasey Collignon-Stankunas earned her BS in Biology and Secondary Education from SUNY New Paltz and MS in Environmental Education from Nova Southwestern University. For the past 15 years she has taught at Port Jervis High School and currently teaches Biology, SUNY ESF Global Environment, and Syracuse University Project Advance Forensics courses. She is also the High School Science Curriculum Coordinator and head volleyball coach. Mrs. Collignon-Stankunas' pedagogy centers around her love and appreciation for nature. She has developed each course's curriculum to allow students to experience and learn through hands-on activities and real-life scenarios in order to increase student's critical thinking and observational skills. It is her goal to foster in her students a love and appreciation for the environment. As a 2017 Ecology Project International Fellow attending a Winter Ecology Fellowship in Yellowstone National Park, she became inspired to re-create this trip for her students and takes a 5-day long course annually to the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Placid where equal amounts of fun and learning occur. In addition to her classroom teaching, she spends her time running a nature camp and teaches a field studies course over the summer. In her free time, you can find Mrs. Collignon-Stankunas running with her dog, swimming, biking, hiking, and enjoying the great outdoors! She is most looking forward to exploring new perspectives from other Master Teachers and continuing the quest to be a deeply effective educator.

Karen Connell

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

South Orangetown Central School District

Karen Connell earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Siena College, M.A. in Mathematics from the University at Albany, M.A. in Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology, and M.A. in Educational Technology from Walden University. Mrs. Connell has taught mathematics and Computer Science for 25 years in Rockland County and virtual reality summer courses at a Westchester County camp. She teaches AP Computer Science, Computer Science I and Computer Science Capstone Honors at Tappan Zee High School. Outside of the classroom, she serves as Maker Space Facilitator, Instructional Technology Coach, FIRST Robotics Competition Team Lead Advisor/Coach, and Computer Science Club Advisor and Student Tech Support Lead. Mrs. Connell is an active member of the high school’s Professional Learning Community, the South Orangetown Central School District Technology Leadership Team, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Computer Science Teachers Collegial Circle. To help find balance, she enjoys yoga, tennis and spending time with her family. As a NYS Master Teacher, she looks forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers, participating in the STEM-related professional learning communities and discovering new ways to inspire and create opportunities for students in tech-related fields.

Shannon Considine

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Poughkeepsie School District

Shannon Considine earned her BS in biology from Marymount College, Master of Science for Teachers in Secondary Education from Pace University, and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University. Her dissertation researched how experiential learning influences urban student performance in science. In the classroom for a total of 12 years, Dr. Considine spent the first 5 years teaching middle school science. She is currently teaching Living Environment, STEM and Anatomy and Physiology at Poughkeepsie High School. When not in the classroom, Dr. Considine enjoys running, reading, baking, and spending time with her family. Dr. Considine finds inspiration in two different quotes. One is from an unknown source that states, "The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday." The other quote is from Albert Einstein: "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think." As a NYS Master Teacher, Dr. Considine is looking forward to participating in mini-courses that will help her grow as a teacher and to collaborating with other teachers.

Christopher Cozzolino

Highland School District

Christopher Cozzolino earned his BA in Chemistry from SUNY Binghamton and his Master of Arts in Teaching from SUNY New Paltz and holds certifications in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, all 7-12. In the classroom for ten years, Mr. Cozzolino teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Physics, Regents Physics, and AP Calculus at Highland High School. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Cozzolino serves as the Advisor for Science Olympiad, Mathletes, and Quiz Bowl. Mr. Cozzolino is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and has presented his experiences with blended learning and the flipped classroom at the 2015 NYS Association for Computers and Technologies in Education Hudson Valley Regional Conference and the 2015 Ulster BOCES Tech Fest. When not in the classroom, Mr. Cozzolino enjoys running, taking walks with his wife and two daughters, and learning to code. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Cozzolino looks forward to collaborating with the fellow Master Teachers to bring new ideas back to his classroom and to share effective strategies with his colleagues.

Michael Crocco

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Michael Crocco earned his BS in biology from Marist College and his Master of Science in Teaching at SUNY New Paltz. He holds NYS teaching certifications in Elementary Education, Physical Education, biology and General Science. In the classroom for ten years, he teaches biology at John Jay High School in East Fishkill. Prior to leading his own classroom, Mr. Crocco spent a year volunteering as a teacher's aide at a local community center in the City of Poughkeepsie. During his elementary years, he was an actor for Nickelodeon and Time magazine commercials. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Crocco served as Junior Class Advisor, assisting the class with fund raising and prom planning, and coach for the Varsity Softball team and the modified and JV basketball team. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Crocco is looking forward to collaborating and sharing best practices with peer Master Teachers in his region and across the state to deepen and broaden his content and pedagogical knowledge.

David Czechowski

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

David Czechowski enjoyed programming computers since he was a kid and his family got a Commodore 64C, so it fit that he went on to study and earn a BS in Computer Science from Cedarville University. It was at Union Graduate College that he combined Computer Science with his passion for teaching while earning his Master of Science in Teaching in Technology Education. Mr. Czechowski teaches Introduction to Computer Science, Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles, Digital Electronics, and Digital Photography at F.D.Roosevelt High School. He started teaching there in 2006 and has taught a variety of technical subjects, coaches the Robotics Team, and hosts Family Coding Events for the community. Mr. Czechowski's application of his Computer Science skills to improve his classroom have afforded him the opportunity to present at numerous local, state, and national conferences. In the summer, he can be found at the town swimming pool where he is an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer teaching kids to swim, swimmers to be lifeguards, and lifeguards to be instructors. On school breaks, he enjoys globe-trotting with his wife and daughter visiting all the really cool science museums around the world.

Kelly Czermerys

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Ulster County BOCES

Kelly Czermerys earned her B.S. in biology from SUNY Binghamton and, prior to teaching, worked as a veterinary assistant and in pharmaceutical sales. After discovering a passion for teaching through work as a substitute, she earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary science education from SUNY Oneonta and an M.Ed. in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Kelly teaches Living Environment and General Science and provides laboratory and curriculum support in science to other special education teachers at Ulster BOCES Center for Alternative Education. She is a member of the APPR team and the Catskill Watershed Corporation's Public Education Advisory Group and has served as yearbook advisor. Before joining the faculty at Ulster BOCES, Ms. Czermerys worked as an environmental educator at the Mountaintop Arboretum and as an adjunct forensics and human biology instructor at Columbia-Greene Community College. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking with her dog, singing loudly with her family, and playing the violin. As a Master Teacher, Kelly has taken The Biology of Cancer mini-course, participated in Starlab training, explored Data Literacy Using PCB Data from Fish in the Hudson River, and joined the New Ideas in Science PLT. She looks forward to continuing collaboration with colleagues and opportunities to bring the best in science instruction back to empower her students.

Mackenzie Dabo

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook School District

Mackenzie Dabo earned her BA in mathematics and English Literature from Susquehanna University, her MSEd from The College of New Jersey Global Program in Johannesburg, South Africa, and certifications in mathematics and English Language Arts. Prior to teaching in Red Hook, Mrs. Dabo taught math at a residential drug treatment facility and in Guinea, West Africa, as a member of the United States Peace Corps. Mrs. Dabo is in her tenth year teaching grades 7 and 8^th grade mathematics at Linden Avenue Middle School, where she also serves as Team Leader and is a member of her Faculty Association Executive Committee. Mrs. Dabo is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. She is active in her community as a member of the local soccer Board of Directors and an age-group swim coach. Mrs. Dabo wholeheartedly believes the words of Stanley Gudder: "The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple" and has long been drawn to mathematics for this reason. Mrs. Dabo is looking forward to collaborating with Master Teachers in her region and around the state, particularly at the summer NYSMTP conference offerings as travel is one of her passions.

Lauren Dane

Tuckahoe Union Free School District

Lauren Dane earned a BA in Mathematics and Mathematics Education from Hofstra University and a MA in Mathematics Education from The City College of New York. She began her teaching career with the New York City Department of Education, working with high-needs school districts in the Bronx and Manhattan. She currently teaches at Tuckahoe High School. Throughout her eight years in the classroom, Ms. Dane has taught Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Financial Algebra. She is currently implementing a new student-led research-based Statistics course. She is dedicated to instilling a passion for mathematics in all her students through engaging and enriching activities. Ms. Dane is a class advisor, where she works with students to participate in community service, fundraise, and plan social events. In addition to classroom teaching, she enjoys baking, exploring the Hudson Valley with her family, and performing with the Rockland County Choral Society. As a Master Teacher, she is looking forward to engaging with like-minded educators to continue to improve her practice.

Erin Daniels

Hyde Park Central School District

Erin Daniels earned her BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics and her MA in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. She has experience teaching first, third, and fifth grades, and is currently teaching 6th grade at Haviland Middle School. Science education has always been at the forefront of her love for teaching. Educating students for 22 years in Hyde Park has taught her immensely about students and what they need. Mrs. Daniels believes questioning is key to students learning science content. She enjoys the challenge of utilizing student-created questions to guide her instruction. In 2021, She was part of a team of teachers awarded a local grant from the Hyde Park Education Foundation to build a garden from the ground up. In addition to running the school garden, Mrs. Daniels is a mentor for new teachers, the ‘Game Club’ advisor, assists with the Extended Day program, and writes curriculum with colleagues. Her hobbies include learning to crochet, reading, hiking, and spending time with family. She is currently learning Spanish to assist with her English Language Learner (ELL) families. She looks forward to collaborating with participants in the NYS Master Teacher Program, learning more to support the ELL population, learning more about Nature Based Education, and Science and Math lesson sharing.

Kristian De Luccia

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Clarkstown Central School District

Kristian De Luccia earned his BA in Physical Geology with a minor in Ancient Greek and Roman Art History from Hartwick College, and Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Adolescent Earth Science Education from Binghamton University. Prior to teaching, Kristian help several positions in the environmental field as an Environmental Technician working in Westchester County and NYC, specifically focused on the collection, process and analysis of Asbestos samples as well as mold testing and remediation. While in Graduate school, he worked for the Department of Environmental Health and Safety working with the identification, handling and disposal of Hazards Materials. While working in the environmental field, he earned several state and national certifications: Asbestos Project Monitor, Asbestos Sampling & Analyst, NIOSH PLM 9002 and HAZWOPPER. Kristian also met his wife Lisa while at Binghamton; they have identical twin daughters. He has been in the classroom since 2008 teaching Earth Science at Clarkstown North High School in New City, NY. He has taught a variety of courses over the years as is additionally certified to teach International Bachelorette Environmental Systems and Society, is an Adjunct Instructor for Syracuse University's Project Advance Undergraduate Science Research and SUNY Oneonta's ESOP (Earth Science Outreach Program) Physical Geology course.

Marie Deckinger

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Middletown School District

Marie Deckinger earned her BA in mathematics with a focus on Special Education and Elementary Education. While doing her student teaching, she discovered that she enjoyed teaching secondary school and subsequently earned her MSEd from Mount Saint Mary College. Mrs. Deckinger is certified in Secondary Mathematics and Special Education, and has been teaching mathematics at Middletown High School for most of her 15-year career. Over the course of her tenure at Middletown High, Mrs. Deckinger has served as the coordinator for the Extended Day Institute, an after school tutoring program, regularly collaborates with colleagues and serves as a mentor to new teachers. During summer school, she teaches Visual Basic Programming, and she was recently selected to train students in the use of the district issued Chrome Books. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Deckinger is married to her high school sweetheart, has two wonderful children, and is a leader for her daughter's Girl Scout Troop. Mrs. Deckinger considers herself to be a life-long learner and is looking forward to participating in the Master Teacher Program to continue growing as a teacher.

Laura Derevensky

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Goshen Central School District

Laura Derevensky studied Physics as an undergraduate at M.I.T. where she continued on to earn her M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. During her time at M.I.T, Dr. Derevensky also rowed crew and represented the United States on the US National Lightweight Rowing Team. Prior to teaching high school, Dr. Derevensky did research on the electromechanical properties of bone at Helen Hayes Hospital in New York and then taught at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington State for four years. She currently teaches Regents and AP Physics at Goshen Central High School. In addition to teaching physics, she has coached the Science Olympiad team and currently teaches Math, French and Science at night school. Laura is a member of Sigma Xi and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In her spare time, Laura hikes, skis, kayaks and does dog agility - activities that give her ample material to develop examples to use in her physics classes. Since becoming a Master Teacher, she has joined the Climate Change PLT, studied Climate Change Science and its Connections to NYSSLS and Statistics for STEM explored bridge engineering, and attended Astronomy II and Ocean and Estuarine Currents workshops. Dr. Derevensky looks forward to continuing her collaboration with other master teachers and learning more attending Robotics programs.

Tara DiCorcia

Arlington Central School District

Tara DiCorcia earned her BS in Biology Education from Marist College, continued her education at Marist College, earning an MA in Educational Psychology, and went further, achieving her National Board certification in Adolescent Science. Mrs. DiCorcia has been in the classroom since 2007, teaching 7th - 12th grade at Arlington Central School District, in Lagrangeville, New York. Currently, she teaches a co-taught section of Regents Biology, Foundations of Living Environment, as well as Forensic Science at Arlington High School. After the school day, Mrs. DiCorcia is involved with the "extended day" program at her high school, geared towards working with at-risk students to find success in their science classes. She has worked with the student/teacher mentor program and has led professional development sessions based on classroom management and connecting with students. Mrs. DiCorcia has a passion for working with struggling and at-risk students, living by Josh Shipp's quote "every child is one caring adult away from being a success story". Outside of school, Mrs. DiCorcia serves as the vice president of the PTA at her daughter's school and enjoys spending time with her family, especially outdoors, and traveling! As a new NYS Master Teacher, Tara is thrilled to be working with science teachers all over the region, and very interested and excited to work with pre-service teachers, sharing her passion for fostering a love of science and the living world around.

Julius Donisan

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

New Rochelle School District

Julius Donisan earned his BA from Columbia College, where he studied Economics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. He earned his MA and EdD in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. While teaching in New York City, he completed both the Math for America Early Career Fellowship and the Carroll and Milton Petrie New York City Teacher Fellowship. Currently teaching at New Rochelle High School, Dr. Donisan is building on his experience in the NYS Master Teacher Program and continues to seek out opportunities that further enable him to provide students with rich learning opportunities.

Carolyn Dorritie

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Port Jervis City School District

Carolyn Dorritie earned her BA in Mathematics from New Jersey City University and her MS in Classroom Technology from Wilkes University. Ms. Dorritie's career in teaching began in 1992 in Bayonne, NJ. Currently, she teaches Algebra 2 and Precalculus in Port Jervis, NY, where she has been teaching for 19 years. Ms. Dorritie's dream was to be a teacher since she was a child but the inspiration to teach Math came from her college Calculus professor. At Port Jervis High School, Ms. Dorritie serves as the advisor of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). The club runs an All Night Grad Party to keep the seniors safe on graduation night with hundreds of prizes and a night of fun. She is currently a co-advisor of Port Jervis High School's class of 2021. In her spare time, she serves as a Girl Scout leader and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is passionate about teaching STEM since it gives her the opportunity to share her love of mathematics with her students. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Dorritie looks forward to attending mini-courses and collaborating with other STEM teachers to improve mathematics education.

Simon Dudar

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Haldane Central School District

Simon Dudar earned his B.A. in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta and M.S.Ed. in Childhood Environmental Education from SUNY New Paltz. He has been teaching for twelve years, most of which have been spent at the elementary level. He also spent three years as a K-12 PBL STEAM Teacher and Instructional Coach, and currently teaches 5th Grade Science and Social Studies at Haldane Elementary School. Mr Dudar is an advocate for project-based learning, and creating a classroom environment where students are encouraged to find and develop their passions. Outside of the classroom, he coaches the Varsity Girls Tennis and Varsity Baseball at Haldane. In his free time, Mr Dudarenjoys hiking, skiing, and rock climbing with his two young children. He is most looking forward to collaborating with other educators in the Master Teacher Program, and finding new and innovative ways to bring excitement to his students.

Katrina Duffy

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Katrina Duffy earned her BA in mathematics from SUNY Geneseo, MA in mathematics from Western Connecticut State University, and National Board Certification in mathematics. Ms. Duffy has spent her 18 year teaching career with the Wappingers Central School District, where she currently holds the position of Teacher-in-Charge of Mathematics at John Jay High School. She has created, developed, and taught a History of Mathematics course and has advised many clubs and activities including the Student Council, the Junior Class, the Math Team, and the Math Honor Society. Ms. Duffy is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is part of her district's Professional Development and STEM Committees. When not working on mathematics you can find Ms. Duffy hitting killer overhead shots on the tennis court or reciting her favorite quote from Daniel J. Boorstin, "Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know." As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Duffy is looking forward to opportunities to develop more programs and research opportunities to bring back to her classroom.

Jamie Dymond

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Livingston Manor School District

Jamie Dymond earned his AS in Computer Science from SUNY Ulster, his BS in Secondary Education Mathematics from SUNY New Paltz, and his MS in Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology. Prior to leading his own classroom, he was a computer and network technician for several school districts, and this strong background in computers has enabled him to integrate technology into his lessons. In the classroom for eight years, he teaches Regents Mathematics, Precalculus, Calculus and Statistics for college credit at Livingston Manor Central School. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he is a National Honor Society advisor, a member of the school's Professional Development Team, the Discipline Committee, and mentoring program for new teachers. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Dymond is an avid snow skier and enjoys working on and driving his 180 mph dragster. Both of these passions are brought into the classroom with videos to motivate lessons as well as real world problem solving. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Dymond is looking forward to working with fellow Master Teachers to provide the highest quality of STEM instruction for students throughout the state.

Sharon Ellis

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wallkill Central School District

Sharon Ellis earned her B.S. in Nutritional Science from Rutgers University and M.S. in Education from Mount Saint Mary College, with certifications in Biology 7-12 and Students with Disabilities 7-12-Biology. During her time at Mount Saint Mary College, she became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education, and the National Science Teacher Association. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Ellis worked as a flavor chemist in New Jersey, where she was a member of the International Food Technologists and Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce. Mrs. Ellis teaches Living Environment at Wallkill Senior High School. She has collaborated with the Department of Environmental Conservation to have her students participate in A Day in the Life of the Hudson River and with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies to help prepare her students for participation in the Hudson Data Jam Competition. Before becoming a Master Teacher, Sharon attended several Demo Derbies sponsored by the NYSMTP. Since joining, she has taken The Biology of Cancer mini-course, attended workshops on Ocean Currents and on Culturally Responsive Behavior Management, and assisted at a Girl's Rock Stem day. Mrs. Ellis looks forward to continuing to participate in many upcoming courses and programs offered through the NYS Master Teacher Program.

Samantha Falk

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Sam Falk earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. in Materials Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and M.S. in Polymer Science from UMass Amherst. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Falk worked as an analytical chemist for GE and then earned her teaching certification through the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Come Teach With Us program. In the classroom for 15 years, she teaches Chemistry In the Community and Honors Chemistry at Arlington High School. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Falk advises the school newspaper, The Arlingtonian, serves as a Building Representative and Communications Chair for the Arlington Teachers’ Association. Mrs. Falk is a member of the National Science Teaching Association, the American Chemical Society, and the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. She strives to be an active part of her community and is the PR Chair for both the Millbrook Literary Festival and Friends of Millbrook Library. In her free time, Mrs. Falk enjoys doing the New York Times crossword puzzle and learning about the Manhattan Project. As a New York State Master Teacher, she is looking forward to collaborating with other educators and learning from their varied experiences.

Robin Farrell

Hastings-On-Hudson Union Free School District

Robin Farrell earned her BA in Philosophy from Colgate University, MAT in Childhood Education from Manhattanville College, and MSEd in Literacy and Special Education from Long Island University. Mrs. Farrell has been elementary teacher for 19 years, teaching first through fourth grades as the general education teacher in English as a New Language (ENL), Integrated Co-Teaching, and other classroom models. She is currently the K-4 STEAM teacher at Hillside Elementary School where she teaches collaboratively with classroom teachers to help build their capacity in this STEAM content areas. Mrs. Farrell leads biannual family nature walks with each class, aligning students’ walks to the NYS Science Learning Standards using place-based, hands-on learning experiences. She mentors new teachers in her district, is a member of her school’s Safety team, and is the Elementary Science Facilitator and Technology Facilitator. Mrs. Farrell is a current member of the Science Teachers Association of New York State and the National Science Teaching Association. Eleanor Duckworth’s words, "Learning is messy," reminds Mrs. Farrell to design learning experiences that allow students to grapple with new understandings. Her family has been a dog foster family for almost ten years, providing over one-hundred pups with the love of a family before finding their fur-ever home. As a Master Teacher, Mrs. Farrell is looking forward to building new professional connections, especially among fellow elementary STEM teachers.

Cory Ferguson

Port Jervis City School District

Cory Ferguson earned his BS in Actuarial Science from the University at Albany and MEd in Secondary Education from Jones International University. Currently in his 13th year of teaching, Cory is a high school mathematics teacher at Port Jervis City School District where he teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1. Mr. Fergusion has also worked at Washingtonville Central School District and John S. Burke Catholic School. At Port Jervis, Mr. Ferguson is the assistant varsity wrestling coach and one of the senior class advisors for the class of 2022. Outside of school, he runs a private tutoring company and manages a math YouTube channel (Wrestling With Math). Mr. Ferguson would like to thank his high school math teacher, Ray LeDuc, for channeling his love for math and teaching. He is most looking forward to collaborating with the many great teachers in the Master Teacher Program and learning exciting activities to bring into the classroom.

Monica Ferraro

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Rye School District

Monica Ferraro earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin Red McCombs School of Business, and her MSEd in Mathematics Education with Honors from The City College of New York. Ms. Ferraro has taught mathematics in NYC public high schools for ten years in traditional school, evening school, and after school programs, and as she enters her 11^th year in the classroom, she is thrilled to participate in the Project Lead the Way program and teach Introduction to Engineering Design and Civil Engineering and Architecture at Rye High School. While in NYC, Ms. Ferraro worked as a research participant, teacher, and teacher leader and mentor with the Math and Science Program in New York City and the National Science Foundation to implement and train others in researched based teaching models in the classroom. Additionally, Ms. Ferraro was a Math Department Chair, Girls Running Club Coach, and Math for America Master Teacher. Ms. Ferraro enjoyed mentoring early career teachers at her school and through Math for America, and attending the Park City Math Institute in July 2015 where she did lots of math problems, reflected on her practice, and created professional development on Project Based Assessment Tasks. Ms. Ferraro is excited to collaborate, and share best practices with Mid-Hudson NYS Master Teachers.

Jason Fidler

Brewster Central School District

Jason Fidler earned his BA in English from Binghamton University, MST in Adolescent Education from PACE University, and holds National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Science. In the classroom for 20 years, Mr. Fidler teaches intermediate science and Project Lead the Way (Flight and Space) at Henry H. Wells Middle School. He is an active member of the National Science Teaching Association and the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association. Mr. Fidler also serves on the District's Digital Learning Committee. He enjoys incorporating educational technology into his curriculum and has earned certifications in Google Educator Level 2, BrainPOP, Newsela, Flipgrid, Screencastify, and Edpuzzle. Mr. Fidler is driven to inspire students to achieve personal and academic success while implementing educational technology tools and applications in the classroom. His favorite part about teaching STEM is that each year he can collaborate with his extraordinary colleagues to explore and try new experiments, develop new and innovative investigations, and build on lessons from previous years. Mr. Fidler is a passionate lifelong learner and is very excited to be involved with the NYS Master Teacher program. He is looking forward to collaborating with educators from across the state to learn creative and effective strategies to integrate Next Generation Science Standards into the 6th grade science classroom.

Tracey Finan

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

Tracey Finan earned her BS in Computer Science and her MBA in Corporate Finance from Pace University. She worked as a Systems Engineer and Sales Representative for IBM before she decided to make a career change. Ms. Finan returned to Pace University and earned an Advanced Certificate in Teaching (Adolescents) - Mathematics 7-12 and Adolescent Special Education. In 2019 she was awarded National Board Certification in Early Adolescence, Mathematics. A classroom teacher since 2008, Ms. Finan teaches high school Algebra, Trigonometry, and Geometry. She has spent the last five years teaching 7th grade mathematics and Algebra 1 at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School. As Curriculum Coordinator she represents her 5-8 math colleagues. She is an active member of the Secondary Mathematics Chairs Collegial Circle in Westchester County. Ms. Finan has served on the board for the Ten County Mathematics Educator Association, and presented at the NYC Mathematics Project to help get math students moving and more excited about learning math through engaging activities. Ms. Finan runs the Computer Coding Club and coaches all three seasons of modified running; Fall XC, Winter and Spring Track. She has completed two NYC marathons. Her love of nature, exercise, and being outdoors is something she incorporates into her math lessons. She is looking forward to participating in the Math Engagement Professional Learning Team and exploring all that the NYS Master Teacher Program has to offer.

Michael Flannery

Cornwall Central School District

Michael Flannery earned his dual major BS in Statistics and Secondary Education Mathematics from the SUNY Oneonta, and his MSEd from SUNY New Paltz. Mr. Flannery is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood. In addition to his career in teaching he spent six years as an estimator and project manager for an electrical contracting company. Mr. Flannery is currently the department chairperson and a math instructor at Cornwall Central High School. In the past Mr. Flannery has served as an Advanced Placement reader for the Statistics exam and has been an adjunct professor for both SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Orange as well as the tech club advisor at Cornwall High School. He is very much looking forward to collaborating with some of the top math teachers in the state and learning from the best. Mr. Flannery enjoys spending time outdoors. He is a member of Catskills 3500 club and an aspiring member of the ADK 46'ers. If you are looking for him after office hours, you will likely find him running, cycling and swimming in the Shawangunk Mountains.

Ian Freedman

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers Central School District

Ian Freedman earned his B.S. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan, M.S. in Astrophysics from the University of Virginia, and completed pedagogical coursework at Vassar College. He currently teaches AP Physics C, Honors Physics, and Regents Physics at John Jay Senior High School. Mr. Freedman began teaching physics and astronomy in 2009, including three years at Dutchess Community College. Previously, he worked as an editor and freelance writer in subjects including education, law, science, and adolescent literature. At John Jay, he coaches the Science Olympiad and advises the tabletop gaming club. He also serves on the district’s STEAM committee and is an NYSED Education Specialist. Mr. Freedman enjoys attending the American Association of Physics Teachers conferences and has given several presentations on active teaching and physics demonstrations. His hobbies include playing guitar, tabletop gaming, and writing. His penchant for creativity spurs him to develop many engaging activities and labs. He has also created more than 100 flipped classroom videos for his students. Importantly, Mr. Freedman always carries balloons in his wallet for spontaneous physics demonstrations and birthday celebrations. He is excited to share ideas with the other educators in the Master Teacher Program!

Alexander Freuman

Nyack Union Free School District

Alexander Freuman earned his BA in Mathematics from Oberlin College and his MA in Mathematics Education from Hunter College. Following a brief career in financial derivatives, Mr. Freuman spent the last 22 years teaching middle and high school mathematics. He currently teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics, AP Computer Science A, and Digital Electronics at Nyack High School. At his previous school, he served as the Mathematics Department Chair and led a committee to implement a school-wide Standards Based Grading framework. At Nyack HS, Mr. Freuman serves on the Equity Committee and has facilitated ongoing teacher workshops that focus on equitable grading practices. He also shares his passion for chess by advising and coaching the school's Chess Club. Students know Mr. Freuman to be an avid puzzler: he offers them a "Puzzle of the Week," and has also co-authored the book "More Puzzle Tov!". Outside of school, Mr. Freuman is the founder and president of the Rockland County Chess Club and volunteers with Proyecto Faro, an organization that supports immigrants in Rockland County. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Freuman is eager to collaborate with innovative educators and learn anything and everything from his fellow Master Teachers.

Tricia Fuller-Johnson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Mahopac Central School District

Tricia Fuller-Johnson earned her A.S. in Pre-Med/Engineering from Springfield Technical Community College, B.S. in Biology, and M.S. in Secondary Education from Mercy College. In the classroom for 22 years, Mrs. Johnson taught Environmental Studies, Field Biology, Anatomy, and various levels of Living Environment at Mahopac High School. Mrs. Johnson strongly believes in using innovative techniques, phenomena, and real-life experiences to develop students into creative independent thinkers. She is passionate about mentoring new teachers, serving on district-wide committees, participating, and presenting in professional development workshops. Outside of the classroom, she advises a club and is a consultant for Learn America. Outside of school, Mrs. Johnson serves as a youth leader in her local church where she has taken local teens on summer missions locally and abroad. She enjoys running, going to the gym, and playing basketball with her family. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate, and learn from other teachers through the PLTs and mini courses. She’s also looking for the opportunity to develop cross curricular experiences and connecting grade level practices through partnerships.

Karen Garner

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston School District

Karen Garner earned her BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Clarkson College and MS in Computer Science from Union College. After 11 years working as a Computer Software Developer and Product Manager at IBM, Mrs. Garner stayed at home with her three children, and taught private piano lessons. After earning her teaching certification from SUNY New Paltz, she started her 15 years at Kingston High School where she currently teaches Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus Honors and Advance Placement Calculus BC. Mrs. Garner is also a SUNY Ulster and Marist College Collegian Instructor for their High School Bridge program. She is a leader in her church, and enjoys running, golf, hiking, and performing music. In addition to the numerous races Mrs. Garner ran over the past 25 years, she also completed the NYC marathon twice. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Garner is looking forward to working with other Master Teachers on various topics including the Common Core, the flipped classroom model, 3D Printing, and leadership training at summer workshop facilitated by the Mohawk Valley Master Teachers at the Oswegatchie Educational Center.

Vincent Garrison

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Nanuet Union Free School District

Vinny Garrison earned his BS in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in 1997 and his MS in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in 2000. Mr. Garrison is permanently certified in Technology Education in the State of New York. Currently, he is in his 21st year of teaching at A. Macarthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet, NY. His classes include 5th-8th grade Introduction to Technology, Design and Build using Robotics, and Introduction to Videography. He also is an assistant coach with the high school First Robotics team. He is a member of the Rockland Orange Sullivan Technology Education Association, as well as the New York Technology Teachers Education Association. Being a member of the International Technology Engineering Education Association (ITEEA), he received the Middle School program of excellence award. Mr. Garrison has always enjoyed bringing new and emerging technologies into his classroom: "My favorite part of being a STEM teacher is giving students opportunities to design and build using their hands, get a little dirty." In his free time, Mr. Garrison operates a business flying drones commercially called Flying Films NY.

Liana Gertzer

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Clarkstown Central School District

Liana Gertzer earned her BA in Biology from Harvard University, and Master of Arts in Teaching in Biology from Indiana University-Bloomington. In the classroom for 10 years, Ms. Gertzer teaches Regents/Honors Living Environment, Advanced Placement Biology and Science Research Honors at Clarkstown High School North.

Clare Gilroy

Rye City School District

Clare Gilroy earned her BA in Biology and a MAT in Biology from Binghamton University. In the classroom for five years, Ms. Gilroy teaches Living Environment and Sustainable Solutions, and helped develop a project-based learning and interdisciplinary alternative program at Rye High School. Ms. Gilroy implements a variety of teaching styles, such as service projects and project-based learning, to connect students to their community. Additionally, she supports students outside of the classroom by attending sports games, theater productions, and overseeing a variety of clubs such as the Cancer Awareness Club, Billion Oyster Club, and Student Council. Ms. Gilroy is a passionate educator who appreciates learning outside of the classroom, due to her experience studying abroad in a conservation biology program in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. In spring 2023, Ms. Gilroy combined her love of traveling and science once again by participating in Ecology Project International’s Baja, Mexico Teacher Fellowship. She is grateful to be part of the NYS Master Teacher Program and is excited to collaborate with other fantastic educators.

Lisa Gizzarelli-Drago

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Lisa Gizzarelli-Drago earned her BS in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and Master of Arts in Teaching in Biology from SUNY New Paltz. Prior to teaching, she worked as an Environmental Specialist, a Lab Tech, and an Outdoor/Environmental Educator in the Catskills. Mrs. Gizzarelli-Drago has conducted forest ecology research at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies as part of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. She's been in the classroom for 17 years and currently teaches 7th grade Life Science at Union Vale Middle School. She is a modified track & field coach and an advisor for hiking club, running club, and snowshoe club. Her focus lies in positive behavior reinforcement and inquiry-based learning which utilizes wonder and discovery. She strives to foster a sense of appreciation for the natural world and a desire for lifelong learning. Her hobbies include hiking and backpacking with her husband and two dogs, cycling, being in the woods, harvesting her own food, cooking, traveling, and building things with her hands. She is honored to be a part of the Master Teacher Program and excited to be immersed with other professionals equally passionate about improving STEM learning and teaching practices. Mrs. Gizzarelli-Drago looks forward to sharing her knowledge with her colleagues and students.

Patricia Glancey

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers Central School District

Patricia Glancey earned her BS in Biology and Master of Arts in Teaching with a 7-12 Biology and General Science Certification from Cornell University. Mrs. Glancey has been teaching at Roy C. Ketcham High School in the Wappingers Central School District since 2001. She currently teaches Regents Living Environment and Advanced Placement Biology. She has been teaching biology as an adjunct at Dutchess Community College since 2002. Mrs. Glancey received the Outstanding Science Teacher Award from Science Teachers Association of NYS. She also received a Leadership Award from the Wappingers Falls Rotary Club and the Excellence in Teaching Award from Ketcham's National Honor Society. She has served as advisor for the Biology Club, the National Honor Society, and the Rotary Interact Club. She is a member of the school's Positive Behavioral Intervention & Support Committee. Mrs. Glancey is passionate about the natural world and can connect anything and everything to biology. She enjoys camping and spending time in the woods or water with her husband and two young daughters. Mrs. Glancey is looking forward to discussing the latest research in science and science education with new colleagues through mini-courses and Professional Learning Teams.

Zhanna Glazenburg

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Croton-Harmon School District

Zhanna Glazenburg received her BS in Science Education from New York University and Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia University, Teachers College. Ms. Glazenburg has been in the classroom for 13 years, and she teaches Physics at Croton Harmon High School. A strong advocate for the constructivist, problem-based approach to classroom instruction, she facilitates classroom activities that empower her students to independently study the world around them in order to collaboratively develop coherent scientific models aimed at explaining and predicting the physical behaviors students observe. Her professional interests focus on incorporating engineering fields into science and math instruction, Modeling Instruction strategies, cognitive science and metacognition research and its implications for classroom instruction, as well as lessons that could be learned from the instructional strategies used by teachers in other parts of the world. Current projects include curriculum design aimed at applying Modeling Instruction strategies to AP Physics, in-service teacher professional development offered by the STEMteachersNYC professional learning community, collaboration with Apha Partners Education (Beijing China) and facilitation of the high school's Spain-US program. She is an member of NSTA and AAPT. In addition, she serves as K-12 STEM coordinator for the district and is a board member & treasurer of STEMteachersNYC.

Beth Goldberg

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Beth Goldberg earned her BA in Mathematics from Wellesley College, MS in Business from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College. Ms. Goldberg has been in the classroom for eight years, and she teaches Middle School Mathematics at Linden Avenue Middle School in Red Hook Central School District. Prior to teaching, Ms. Goldberg was a senior executive at JP Morgan Chase where she had global responsibility for a suite of payment services products. Ms. Goldberg is a founding member of the Mid-Hudson Math Teachers' Circle, which provides enriching workshops throughout the year for middle and high school mathematics teachers. Within the NYSMTP, she has been involved in a number of PLT groups which have enhanced her knowledge of pedagogy as well as enriched her content knowledge. Ms. Goldberg likes teaching STEM because she enjoys anchoring the mathematics in real world experiences. She likes to share with students the many ways the mathematics they are learning is used in a multitude of professions. A favorite quote of hers in, "The one's who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." – Steve Jobs

Sheryl Goldberg

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yorktown Central School District

Sheryl Goldberg earned her BA in Biology from SUNY Purchase, and Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Science and Special Education from Manhattanville College. In addition, she completed a certificate program in Gifted and Talented Education at the College of New Rochelle. Mrs. Goldberg has been in the classroom for 33 years, and she teaches 8^th grade physical science at Mildred E. Strang Middle School in the Yorktown Central School District, Yorktown Heights, NY. A strong advocate for creative problem solving and inquiry learning, she involves her students in a variety of activities that require research, problem solving, communication and presentation skills. Her students have participated in Destination Imagination, The Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo, IBM research challenge and Academic Triathlon. She is currently planning an eco-adventure trip to Costa Rica for high school students. Mrs. Goldberg's prior accomplishments include serving as the teacher coordinator of her science department, a founding member of the New York Destination Imagination Board of Directors, and as a member of AGATE. In addition, her article, "The Mural and the Nobel Prize," was published in Teaching for High Potential, a publication of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Jennifer Griffin

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Pine Plains Central School District

Jennifer Griffin earned her B.A. in Mathematics from SUNY Geneseo and her M.S.Ed. in Mathematics, 7-12, from SUNY Binghamton. Mrs. Griffin teaches Algebra II, AP Calculus AB, concurrent Pre-Calculus and concurrent Statistics at Stissing Mountain High School where she serves as advisor to chapters of the National Honor Society and the Mathematics Honor Society. She is the PTA Volunteer Coordinator and Girl Scout Cookie Chair. Mrs. Griffin is an active member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State, serving on the assembly, and was previously a member of their executive board. She serves as Secretary on the Board of Governors of the New York State Mathematics Honor Society. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys traveling and has visited all fifty states. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Griffin has explored Data Literacy Using PCB Data from Fish in the Hudson River and engineering through STEAM over the Hudson: Bridge Engineering at the Newly Renovated Anchorage Museum at the Bear Mountain Bridge. She has participated in a variety of technology-related workshops that include Coding with Python, Charge Up Your Classes with Free Desmos Technology, and 3D Printing for STEM Teachers. She looks forward to continuing to collaborate with other Master Teachers throughout the state and to taking part in the rich professional development the NYSMTP has to offer.

Nicole Griffin

Carmel Central School District

Nicole Griffin earned a BS in Marine Biology and Secondary Education from Roger Williams University, MA in Education with a STEM Teaching Certificate through the Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project, and EdD in Instructional Leadership from Western Connecticut State University. In the classroom for 11 years, Dr. Griffin began working as a science teacher at Carmel High School where she currently teaches Biology A Incorporated Co-Taught (ICT) and is the coordinator of Carmel Science Research. Dr. Griffin helps to guide students through the academic research process, from designing novel research plans, collecting and analyzing results, and writing research papers. Previously, Dr. Griffin taught Grade 8 Intermediate Level Science, Biology A/B, Biology Honors, Environmental Science, and Zoology. In addition, she was selected for the NASA Endeavor STEM Education Fellowship, where she earned a STEM Education Certificate. Dr. Griffin was selected for the Regeneron STEM Teaching Fellowship and attended a two-week laboratory research experience at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals which allowed her to return to her students with a greater understanding of the skills young people must develop to pursue college and careers in STEM fields. Her doctoral research focused on examining the relationship between science teachers’ epistemology and self-efficacy on science instructional practices and conceptualization of student research experiences rooted in the Next Generation Science Standards. In her free time, Dr. Griffin enjoys spending time with her family. She is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with fellow STEM educators.

Matthew Gruber

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston City School District

Matthew Gruber earned his B.A. in Childhood Education from SUNY Cortland, M.S. in Literacy from the University of New England, and C.A.S. in School Building Leadership and School District Leadership from SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for 12 years, Mr. Gruber teaches 3rd grade at Chambers Elementary School. His passion for impacting the lives of children came from his mother who is an elementary teacher. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Gruber has served as the Technology Liaison, Teacher in Charge, Building Leadership Team Member, Safety Team Member, Parent-Teacher Association Member, and Union Building Representative. Currently, Mr. Gruber serves as the district-wide grievance chair for the Kingston Teachers Federation. During his free time, he loves to spend quality time with his family and friends, and enjoys traveling. As a NYS Master Teacher, he is looking forward to growing personally and professionally, learning from other Master Teachers, and is excited to pass along what he learns in this process to his colleagues!

Randy Gunnell

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Harrison Central School District

Randy Gunnell earned his B.A. in Physics from SUNY Geneseo and M.A. in Science Education from Western Governors University. Recently, he completed a certificate program in STEM Leadership at Columbia Teachers College and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Gunnell teaches Physics and Science Research at Harrison High School where he also serves as advisor to his district's Gay-Straight Alliance and Student Government organizations. In the evening, Mr. Gunnell teaches AP Physics at Westchester Hebrew High School. Mr. Gunnell works to support his under-represented students as a board member of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) local chapter. In his personal time, Mr. Gunnell loves playing with his three cats and participating in sports like bowling and skiing (although he can't help but apply physics concepts to help him improve). Since becoming a Master Teacher, Randy has studied Ocean & Estuarine Circulation, explored bridge engineering through the STEAM Over the Hudson workshop at the Bear Mountain Bridge, and attended A Deeper Dive into NYSSLS conference with Paul Andersen. Mr. Gunnell looks forward to continuing to collaborate with other STEM Master Teachers who are equally as excited as he is about expanding and improving their professional practice.

Inoel Guzman

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh City School District

Noel Guzman earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and M.S. in Mathematics Education from CUNY Lehman College. In the classroom for 16 years, Mr. Guzman currently teaches Geometry at Newburgh Free Academy. His career started when he was recruited after college through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program and fell in love with teaching. His professional interests include developing rich inquiry-based content and teaching problem-solving skills. In the future, Mr. Guzman hopes to publish his own mathematics curricula. He values fostering meaningful relationships that lead to a positive and supportive learning environment for all. When not teaching, Mr. Guzman enjoys weightlifting, biking, running, swimming and hiking. During summers, he is often traveling with his wife and daughter. Mr. Guzman hopes to explore his professional interests with other master teachers through professional learning communities and any other opportunities that the Master Teacher Program has to offer.

Joseph Haas

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

New Paltz Central School District

Joseph Haas earned his B.A. in Geology from the SUNY Geneseo and M.S. in Computer Science from Union College. Now in his 27th year of teaching, Joe has taught a wide variety of courses including both middle and high school science, mathematics, and computer science classes. Presently, he has found himself back home at New Paltz High School, his alma mater, where he teaches computer science, calculus, and digital electronics. Prior to teaching, Joe was employed by IBM for four years as a computer programmer. Although his experience at IBM was satisfying, he left to pursue his original objective of teaching. Joe has served as coach of the cross country running and Nordic skiing teams, both activities that he participates in as often as possible. Joe can often be spotted after school going for a run on the trails at Mohonk or around the town of New Paltz where he considers himself lucky enough to both work and lives. Joe is looking forward to participating in the NYS Master Teacher program and is honored to become part of this well-regarded professional community.

Brian Halling

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Bronxville Union Free School District

Brian Halling earned his B.A. in Geology from the SUNY Geneseo and M.S. in Computer Science from Union College. Now in his 27th year of teaching, he has found himself back home at New Paltz High School, his alma mater, where he currently teaches computer science, calculus, and digital electronics. Mr. Haas has taught a wide variety of courses including both middle and high school science, mathematics, and computer science classes. Prior to teaching, Mr. Haas was employed by IBM for four years as a computer programmer. Although his experience at IBM was satisfying, he left to pursue his original objective of teaching. He has served as coach of the cross country running and Nordic skiing teams, both activities that he participates in as often as possible. Mr. Haas can often be spotted after school going for a run on the trails at Mohonk or around the town of New Paltz where he considers himself lucky enough to both work and live. He is looking forward to participating in the NYS Master Teacher program and is honored to become part of this well-regarded professional community.

Jennifer Hansen

Wappingers Central School District

Jennifer Hansen earned her MA in Biology from the University of Albany and her MAT in Teaching Biology from SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for 20 years, Mrs. Hansen has spent 14 years at Poughkeepsie High School and currently teaches 7th-grade science and honor science at Wappingers Junior High School where she has co-coached the schools' Lego FIRST team for the past 5 years. Mrs. Hansen has volunteered for the NYSDEC's Eel Project for 12 years, actively recruiting students and families to participate in this program that connects students with their local environment. Each spring, she is an active participant and serves as Wappingers Central School District's Eel Project liaison. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Hansen enjoys spending time with her family, including her 2 sons and 2 rescue dogs. She looks forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers to help her grow as a professional and as a person.

Emily Hart

Harrison Central School District

Emily Hart earned her BS in Chemistry from the University of Rochester and a MAT with distinction from Relay Graduate School. She teaches Chemistry and Dance at Harrison High School and is the senior class co-advisor. Previously she taught at Urban Assembly School for Criminal Justice in Brooklyn and KIPP NYC College Prep in the Bronx where she served as the Chemistry Professional Learning Team Leader. While teaching in NYC, Ms. Hart was a proud Math for America fellow and led workshops on topics including classroom organization, ed tech tools and Escape the Classroom activities. She currently serves as a NYS Education Department Specialist developing the new state assessments for CHemistry. Ms. Hart has been the Chemistry Subject Area Representative (SAR) for the NYC section of the Science Teacher Association of New York State (STANYS) since 2015 and has presented at the annual STANYS conference several times. She serves as a consultant to the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) planning online professional development for local teachers and was the keynote speaker at the Promising Practices EdCamp in 2021. In her personal time, she loves to go on runs, take barre classes, cook new recipes, and play with her toddler. Ms. Hart is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate and learn with other NYS Master Teachers.

Kaila Hastings

Arlington Central School District

Kaila Hastings earned her BS in Biology Education from Marist College, MSEd in Biology Education from SUNY New Paltz, and is an Endeavor STEM Certified Teacher from Teachers College, Columbia University and NASA. An educator for 15 years, Mrs. Hastings teaches Regents Biology and Marine Biology at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, NY. For three summers, she has been a mentor with the Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientist fellowship through the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Marist College. During her mentorship, she guided local high school students in studying environmental science, especially those from groups which are traditionally underrepresented in STEM. As a Regeneron STEM Fellow, Mrs. Hastings completed coursework to enhance her STEM teaching methods while incorporating the NGSS. This experience included a two-week professional research experience at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mrs. Hastings was co-advisor of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), is an AHS Junior Class advisor, and Marine Biology Club advisor. She also advised the AHS Envirothon team that won at the county level, which was followed by a bid to the NYS Envirothon in Geneva, NY. Mrs Hastings enjoys coaching her son in sports, spending time outdoors, and painting. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Hastings is looking forward to collaborating with a unique group of colleagues to enhance classroom curriculum and promote student inquiry and engagement in STEM.

Steven Hertzog

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Helping high school students develop into responsible members of our biosphere and critical consumers of scientific information is what drives Steve Hertzog since he started teaching biology at Arlington High School in 2000. He teaches Honors Biology, Invertebrate Marine Biology, and Vertebrate Marine Biology courses. After completing a BA in Biology at SUNY Oswego, Mr. Hertzog found jobs in the environmental and research fields but didn't have the capacity in these roles to create the kind of change that he wanted to, so he completed a Master of Arts in Teaching at SUNY Cortland. Mr. Hertzog is a coach of the Ice Hockey team, advises the Red Cross club, and will be a chaperone for a Marine Ecology trip to Key Largo, Florida during Spring Break. He is a certified SCUBA diver, maple syrup producer, novice beekeeper, and enjoys camping trips with his family. As the second vice president of the Arlington Teachers' Association, Mr. Hertzog manages the membership records of his union and is involved with the Parent-Teacher Association council and the United Way of Dutchess County. Upon completing National Board certification, he felt redirected and reinvigorated to continue improving his teaching practice, and now participating in the Master Teacher Program, he hopes to take teaching to new and more amazing places.

John Hines

Cornwall Central School District

John Hines earned his BA in Mathematics in Secondary Certification from SUNY Geneseo, Master of Education in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo, and his National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult Mathematics. In the classroom for six years, Mr. Hine teaches Precalculus Honors, Algebra II, and Geometry at Cornwall Central High School. He previously co-taught Algebra I and Geometry. Mr. Hines is the Assistant Advisor to the Cornwall Central High School Drama Club and directs the annual musical at Cornwall Elementary School. He serves as a member of the Executive Board for the Cornwall Central Teachers’ Association, Cornwall Central School District’s Technology and Data committee, and the Town of Cornwall’s Planning Board. Mr. Hines belongs to the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He is looking forward to collaborating with fellow Master Teachers and working with pre-service teachers.

Lisa Howard

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Warwick Valley School District

Lisa Howard earned her BA in mathematics from Williams College and her MA in Secondary Math Education from Columbia University - Teachers College. In the classroom for 15 years, Mrs. Howard teaches Algebra I and Advanced Placement Calculus at Warwick Valley School District. Prior to teaching in the Orange County, she taught overseas in Morocco and Turkey and at public schools in New York City. In addition to her love of math and teaching, Mrs. Howard is also passionate about languages, and is fluent in French and maintains varying degrees of proficiency in Arabic and Turkish from her stints abroad. Mrs. Howard has been a member of the school's graduation, year book, hiring and professional development committees, organizes school awards ceremonies, and is currently co-leading "OCAL" (the Orange County Academic League). As a New York State Master Teacher, Mrs. Howard is looking forward to being a part of a collaborative network of professionals with whom she can work with to perfect her craft and find new ways to use her skills in the larger teaching community.

Sunitha Howard

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yonkers School District

Sunitha Howard graduated with a BS in Anthropology-Biology-Chemistry from Lehman College and an MPH in Epidemiology from Columbia University. She has her NYS Certification in General Science and Biology for grades 7-12. She is a member of the NYS Science Teachers Association as well as the National Science Teachers Association. She started her teaching career in the NYC school system and subsequently moved to the Yonkers School District. She currently teaches the Living Environment Regents course to 8th graders, as well as Integrated Science to 7th graders at School Five. Seeing a need to encourage and challenge her students, she started the school's Simply Organized Students Club which helps promote self-esteem, empathy and leadership skills. She is a FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer and also founded a Memorial scholarship in her late father's memory to help ease the financial burden of college bound students in Yonkers. In addition, she is an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Education department at Manhattan College and is also devoted to her role in her community as Library Trustee for the John C. Hart Memorial library. Her passions include traveling with her amazing family, crafting, gardening, and sustainable living. Sunitha looks forward to wonderful collaboration through the Master Teacher Program.

Jennifer Huppert

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Jennifer Huppert earned her BS in Mathematics from Roanoke College, MA in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming, and her National Board Certification in Mathematics. She has been teaching Secondary Math for 14 years. Currently, she teaches Multivariable Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics, and Pre-Calculus at John Jay High School, in Hopewell Junction, where Mrs. Huppert is the Advisor for the Math Honor Society. She also serves on her school's Data Team, coaches the Moody's Mega Math Challenge team, and has written three STEM courses for her district: Biology and the Chi-Square (Scientific Research Methods), the Math and Physics of Roller Coasters, and Real World Applications of Math and Science. Mrs. Huppert is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Outside of school, Mrs. Huppert can be found building her homestead with her husband and enjoying the outdoors. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Huppert highlights her participation in the Math & Technology Professional Learning Team. She regularly brings back ideas to her colleagues and students, such as a few calculator programs that students greatly appreciated. She also attended the 3D Printing workshop and immediately returned to school and printed manipulatives of 3D surfaces we use in Multi-Variable Calculus.

Adam (Joseph) Iannazzone

Highland Central School District

Adam (Joseph) Iannazzone earned his BS in Physics with a minor in Japanese at Georgia Tech. Prior to pursuing a teaching credential, he worked in the field as a lab assistant for research into Rubidium-based alternatives for solar panels and high-sensitivity gas sensors. Mr. Iannazzone always had a hunch that teaching was his calling and went on to earn an MA in Secondary Science Education from Columbia Teachers College. When he started working in Queens, NY, he primarily taught Regents Physics and Earth Science. Professional learning opportunities through the Math for America Early Career Fellowship taught him a love of computer science and programming which he was able to parlay into his current job as the STEM and Computer Science teacher at Highland High School, where he also runs an after-school coding club, People Who Code. As more careers incorporate programming and data analysis, he believes that it is becoming imperative that all students graduate high school with some understanding of computer science and algorithmic thinking. To continue developing his skills, Mr. Iannazzone learned iOS development, and has designed three apps. He is looking forward to facilitating professional learning opportunities in the Master Teacher Program, especially ways for STEM teachers to expand into other content areas as he did.

Laura Ineson

Wappingers Central School District

Laura Ineson earned a BS in Childhood Education with a minor in Biology, and 7-12 certification from SUNY Oneonta, a MSEd in Special Education from SUNY New Paltz with Summa cum laude distinction, and National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Science. In the classroom for 12 years, Mrs. Ineson teaches 7th grade Biology and Chemistry at Van Wyck Junior High School. She is a member of the STEM Committee, served in the role of stage crew director for the Drama Club, and mentor and cooperating teacher for a student teacher. She is an active member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Science Teachers Association of NYS. During the summer, she collaborates with science colleagues on curriculum writing. Outside of school, Mrs. Ineson enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with their dog and discovering new parks. She and her husband are foster parents and volunteer for local foster and adoptive organizations. She has always loved nature and genetics, which has pulled her towards a career in STEM. She often shares a quote by Albert Einstein: "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing". As a Master Teacher, Mrs. Ineson looks forward to sharing ideas with and learning from other science teachers.

Danielle Jackson

Ossining Union Free School District

Danielle Jackson earned her BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tulane University, MS in Environmental Science from Pace University, and participated in Come Teach With Us at Pace and Putnam Northern Westchester Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (PNW BOCES) as a career changer to become a 7-12 Chemistry and Biology teacher. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked with water quality, environmental regulation and hazardous materials, and brings that experience to her classroom teaching. In the Ossining High School classroom for 15 years, Ms. Jackson teaches Chemistry and Interactive Ecology, a class that connects students to nature conducted in collaboration with Teatown Preservation. Ms. Jackson is an active member of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) in the Westchester Bronx section, serving as the Chemistry Subject Area Representative and chairperson. She enjoys planning local events and attending the annual STANYS conference. She is also participating in Cohort 9 of the NASA Endeavor/Regeneron STEM Teaching Fellowship. When she is not teaching, she loves practicing Taekwondo, working towards her 3rd Dan black belt, and playing softball. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Jackson looks forward to working with colleagues on writing storyline unit plans that can be used in a variety of classroom settings to help the New York Higher State Science Learning Standards more accessible for teachers.

Katherine Jacobson

Nyack Union Free School District

Katherine Jacobson earned her BS in Chemistry and BS in Biochemistry from Clemson University, MS in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and MA in Secondary Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In her 12th year of teaching, Ms. Jacobson currently teaches Earth Science, Honors Chemistry, and Authentic Science Research at Nyack High School. She serves as the co-advisor for both the Science Research and Girls Who Code clubs. Professionally, she is a member of the National Science Teaching Association, was a Math for America Master Teacher from 2014 - 2016, and has been a Math for America Master Teacher Emeritus from 2016 - 2022. In her free time, she reads fantasy and science fiction and does CrossFit WODs with her husband, infant, and toddler children in tow. She is most looking forward to innovating and collaborating with other Master Teachers and continuing to grow into the best educator for her students.

Nicole Johnson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Pawling Central School District

Nicole Johnson earned her B.S. in Adolescence Education in Mathematics and M.S.Ed. in Special Education from SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for seven years, Mrs. Johnson currently teaches Common Core Geometry and AP Computer Science Principles at Pawling High School. Outside of the classroom, she helped to establish a competitive math team at her school and has coached students as part of the DUSO (Dutchess Ulster Sullivan Orange) Math League for the past five years. Mrs. Johnson also serves as Junior Class Advisor, organizing fundraisers, school dances, and prom. She is working on several curriculum writing projects for her district as well. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Johnson is looking forward to the opportunity to network and collaborate with other Master Teachers. She is excited to learn new techniques and strategies that will enrich her classroom instruction as well as to continue to create a classroom of critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Lesia Kaszczak

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yonkers School District

Lesia Kaszczak earned her BS in biology from the College of Mount St. Vincent, MSEd in biology from Iona College and EdD in Instructional Leadership from St. John's University where her doctoral dissertation focused on professional development in STEM. Dr. Kaszczak is NYS certified in biology grades 7-12 and has taught integrated science to 7th and 8th graders for eight years. For the past 15 years, she has taught Living Environment and International Baccalaureate Biology at Yonkers High School where she also serves as chairperson of the science department and co-advisor for the school's ACE mentorship program, which is part of a nationwide network of mentors helping to prepare high school students for careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Dr. Kaszczak has collaborated with teachers in Singapore and Malaysia through the Columbia University Summer Research Program for Science Teachers and has conducted laboratory research on Thalassemia at Mahidol University in Thailand. Dr. Kaszczak loves to travel and hopes someday to teach overseas for an extended period. As a Master Teacher, Dr. Kaszczak is looking forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers on topics including biotechnology and genetics. As a science teacher she often recalls the words of the great poet Robert Frost who said, "I am not a teacher, but an awakener."

Cynthia Klein

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Cornwall Central School District

Cynthia Klein, a graduate from Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island, earned her B.A. at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, in Elementary/Secondary Education and Special Education, along with a concentration in Mathematics. She later earned her M.S.Ed. from Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY, in Literacy Education. In 2009, Ms. Klein earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics. She has been a math teacher at Cornwall Central High School since September 2001 and currently teaches Algebra 1 and Geometry. Ms. Klein is a member of Cornwall Central School District's Mentoring Committee and Professional Development Committee and an advisor to the sophomore class. Ms. Klein is the treasurer and building representative for the Cornwall Central Teachers Assocation. When not teaching, Cynthia enjoys running half marathons, knitting, and crocheting. Ms. Klein is extremely honored to join the New York State Master Teacher program looks forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers to continue to improve STEM education.

Kristin Koegel

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Rhinebeck Central School District

Kristin Koegel earned her BS in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology from Manhattan College and MS in Geoscience from Mississippi State University. She is currently teaching 8th grade Physical Science at Bulkeley Middle School in Rhinebeck, NY. Kristin is a strong believer in hands-on learning and problem solving. She infuses her course with open ended learning experiences to ensure her students gain a wide variety of critical thinking skills to use as they move beyond middle school. In addition, Kristin coaches volleyball and softball. Knowing her students outside of the classroom helps her to create a learning environment that students can thrive in. She is also a member of the National Science Teachers Association and the Science Teacher Association of New York State.

Natalie Koehler

North Salem Central School District

Natalie Koehler earned her BA in Anthropology from Buffalo State College, MA in Anthropology from the University of Buffalo, and MA in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University. Ms. Koehler has spent most of her career as a library media specialist, with a passion for technology, at the high school and elementary level. She also spent part of her career as a full-time instructional technology coach. She currently holds a position at Pequenakonck Elementary School where she is a library media specialist and co-teaches in a maker space. In the space, students explore and tinker with projects and activities related to STEM disciplines. She has presented at the National Association for Gifted Children conference on the maker space model she and her colleagues created at the school. In her free time, you will find Ms. Koehler reading, hiking, skiing, and boating on the Long Island Sound. As a NYS Master teacher, Ms. Koehler looks forward to learning from other STEM educators and finding new and innovative ways to bring STEM to elementary students.

Brittany Kozlenko

Brewster Central School District

Brittany Kozlenko earned her BS in Physics from Fairfield University, MS in Instructional Technology from Western Connecticut State University, and EdD in Instructional Leadership from St. John's University. Dr. Kozlenko was named a Transforming Education through Leading and Learning (TELL) award winner by the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center for her integration of technology in her classroom. In 2021, the National Science Teaching Association announced that Dr. Kozlenko was a finalist for a Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. For the past 16 years, Dr. Kozlenko teaches physics and robotics at Brewster High School. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Kozlenko coaches her school's FIRST Robotics Team, the Cybearbot0, and is also the science liaison and a member of numerous committees, including the K-12 Science Articulation Committee and the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Committee. Dr. Kozlenko is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Modeling Teachers Association. Away from school, she enjoys hiking with her family and swimming. Dr. Kozlenko is looking forward to being a part of an innovative professional learning community to continue to improve science education in the state. She is hoping to start a collaborative team focusing on using computational modeling in the science classroom

Deborah Kravchuk

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

Deborah Kravchuk earned her BS in Physical Oceanography and Dynamic Meteorology from SUNY Maritime College, MA in Teacher Leadership and Curriculum from Ashford University, and is currently completing her doctorate in Teaching and Curriculum from Northcentral University. In the classroom for 25 years, she teaches Earth Science and Physics in the Hyde Park School District, Reading for Elementary Students with the Summer Bridge Program, and is a STEM Instructor with Camp Invention. Mrs. Kravchuk is also a certified member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and teaches Orton-Gillingham Reading and Writing Instruction. Her current projects include collaborating with Bard College to provide STEM-based problem-solving learning activities for Middle School students by incorporating life science and algebra curriculums. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mrs. Kravchuk has presented at the Annual Professional Development Conference, represented the Mid-Hudson region in the TeachNY Advisory Council on the Induction, Retention and Leadership Task Force. As a result of the NYS Master Teacher Program, she has taught her students to write more and be reflective thinkers and has shared about writing and other topics she has explored with colleagues at school.

Catherine Law

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

New Paltz School District

Cathy Law received her BS in Biology and Geology from Cornell University and her Master of Science in Teaching in Earth Science from Tufts University. Prior to teaching, Ms. Law designed gardens with City Gardens in Boston and worked as a geologist in Alaska. She began teaching in 1997 at Lincoln Sudbury High School in Massachusetts. She presently teaches Regents Earth Science, Regents Biology and Field Biology at New Paltz High School. Until recently, she worked at SUNY New Paltz as an adjunct professor in the Geology department. 11 years ago, Ms. Law started a huge garden in the open courtyard of New Paltz High School which features over 200 plants in a dozen themed areas such as the geology, culinary, butterfly, and bird gardens. The gardens are used as an extension of the classroom as a place for exploration and scientific study. Art, English, Math, Foreign Language, and Consumer Science students use the courtyard for outdoor place-based learning as well. Ms. Law is the advisor to Environmental Club. In her spare time, she travels (she's been to 56 countries), dances, and hikes. As a STEM teacher, Ms. Law is most passionate about helping students discover their hidden talents and intellectual interests. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is looking forward to meeting like-minded teachers and sharing her love of outdoor education.

Dorothy Lehsau-Findlay

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

Dorothy Lehsau-Findlay received her BS in Marine Science/Biology from Southampton College of Long Island University and MSEd from SUNY New Paltz. Mrs. Lehsau-Findlay has been in the classroom for 34 years, and she teaches physics at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. A strong advocate for individual student responsibility in the classroom, she encourages her students to think outside the box and provides them with an assortment of opportunities to apply their knowledge in new and unique ways. She has mentored her students long after they graduate from high school, and several have entered the teaching profession as a result. Within the MTP, she has worked on a PLT mapping math skills needed for success in science courses. Ms. Lehsau-Findlay is passionate about teaching science in particular because understanding the world around us is so important and so darn cool. The fact that her students couldn't walk to class or hold a pencil without friction makes what she teaches relevant on a daily basis. In 2013 she was one of two recipients honored with the Clarkson University Award for Inspirational High School Educators. A favorite quote of hers is "millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why." – Bernard Baruch

Leah Leibacher

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers Central School District

Leah L. Leibacher earned her BA in English from Allegheny College, Professional Certification in Secondary Education from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Leibacher also holds a National Board Certification in Adolescent/Young Adult: Earth Science and dual New York State certification in Earth Science and English. In the classroom for ten years, Mrs. Leibacher teaches middle school science and hosts student teachers at Wappingers Junior High School. A strong advocate for high-quality educational opportunities in STEM for all students, Mrs. Leibacher involves her students in hands-on learning in the physical sciences. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is part of her school's (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) Committee and is focusing on technology integrated instruction. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mrs. Leibacher is a member of the Inquiry Learning Professional Learning Team. Mrs. Leibacher's favorite part about teaching STEM is supporting all students --those who think they aren't smart enough to succeed and providing extra support for those going through a difficult time in their lives.

Christopher Lewick

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Byram Hills Central School District

Christopher Lewick, originally from the Hudson Valley, earned his BA in economics at SUNY Buffalo and his MS in Mathematics Education from Canisius College. In the classroom for 17 years, Mr. Lewick teaches all levels of Computer Science and mathematics at Byram Hills High School in Armonk. Prior to teaching in the Mid-Hudson region, he taught in Nevada and Venezuela. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Lewick advised the Robotics Club, and is currently the advisor for the Tech Club where he both motivates and is motivated by young aspiring computer geniuses. Mr. Lewick models being a life-long learner and is inspired by travels with his family each summer. For example, last summer they traveled to London, Paris and Ireland and studied Spanish in Spain as a family for two weeks. Given his love of learning, Mr. Lewick is especially excited about the NYS Master Teacher Program. He is looking forward to sharing and learning best practices with his peers and to bringing ideas back to his math department at Byram Hills High School, in order to inspire the teachers and students with whom he works.

Mike Li

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Scarsdale Union Free School District

Mike Li earned a BA in Mathematical Sciences from Binghamton University, MSEd in Mathematics Education from Lehman College, and is pursuing an MS in Educational Leadership from Queens College. Mr. Li began teaching as an adjunct lecturer at Lehman College while obtaining his master's degree; this year is his seventh year teaching. The inspiration for teaching stemmed from caring for and teaching his younger brother at an early age. Currently, Mr. Li is teaches at Scarsdale High School and has taught every mathematics Regents course, Advanced Placement Calculus, as well as elective courses. Outside the classroom, Mr. Li serves as an advisor to the Anime and Ping Pong clubs, develops curricula and assessments, leads professional development sessions, and serves as a mentor and cooperating teacher. He is passionate about developing students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. During his free time, Mr. Li loves to travel, play ping pong, spend time with his family, and learn new things. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Li looks forward to participating in a Professional Learning Team and being more involved in the learning community. "The 3 D's of success: Dedication, Desire, and Discipline. Missing one does not guarantee failure, but missing all does not guarantee success."

Soyoung Lim

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

Soyoung Lim earned her B.S. in Computer Science from Chonbuk National University in Korea and her M.A. in Computer Science from Queens College. She holds National Board Certification in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics and certification as a JAVA programmer from Sun Microsystems Incorporated. Before coming to the United States, Soyoung taught computer science at a technical high school in Korea. Upon finishing graduate school in the U.S., Ms. Lim realized how much she missed teaching and enrolled in Nyack College where she completed a teacher education program. While studying secondary education, she taught math courses at Nyack College Manhattan Campus for six semesters. Ms. Lim teaches AP Calculus AB/BC, Computer Science I & II and AP Computer Science A at Croton-Harmon High School where she serves as advisor to the Math Team and the Programming Club. Ms. Lim loves playing with her dog and playing and listening to piano music. As a Master Teacher, Soyoung has participated in GEOGEBRA I and II, Coding with Python, and History of Mathematics workshops and the Mathematical Ideas in Curve Stitching and String Art mini-course. Ms. Lim looks forward to continuing her collaboration with other Master Teachers to deepen her content knowledge and to enhance her contributions to STEM education in the Croton learning community.

Ann Marie Lipinsky de Orlov

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Katonah-Lewisboro School District

Ann Marie Lipinsky earned a BS in Biology from Binghamton University and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Teaching/Biology from Manhattanville College. Ms. Lipinsky is a National Board-Certified Teacher, and was a Regeneron STEM Teacher Fellow earning a Certificate in STEM Leadership from Columbia University. A love of biology and a teaching internship were the impetus for her teaching career. Ms. Lipinsky teaches Advanced Placement Biology and Science Research at John Jay High School in Cross River, NY, and is the Science Department Instructional Leader. Coaching events for Science Olympiad, chaperoning Research and Science Olympiad field trips, and participating in various school committees provide opportunities to work with students and teachers outside the classroom. Ms. Lipinsky is proud to work with an outstanding committee of teachers to host the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium each February. As a teaching assistant in the NASA Endeavor STEM Leadership Program, Ms. Lipinsky enjoyed her work with teachers interested in deepening their practice. In her free time, Ms. Lipinsky loves hiking the Catskills with her husband and dog, reading, and spending time with her daughters, family and friends. Ms. Lipinsky is excited to have the opportunity to work with the very distinguished teachers in the NYS Master Teacher Program.

Margaret Loh

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Margaret Loh was born and raised in Nevada. She earned her AB in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and MS in chemistry from UC Berkeley. She worked in the semiconductor industry doing surface compositional analysis, depth profiling, and imaging for quality control and failure analysis of electronic films. Mrs. Loh spent several years at home after her children were born and her interest in teaching was sparked after watch "Bill Nye, the Science Guy" with them. She completed the course work and student teaching for the NYS certification through SUNY New Paltz and has been teaching for 14 years. She has taught all four levels of chemistry, from practical through Advanced Placement at John Jay Senior High School. She is a big fan of the American Chemical Society's Chemistry Olympiad program and encourages both first and second year chemistry students to participate at the local level, and when they are invited, to participate at the national level exam. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, she is excited about flipping her classroom next year.

Julie Loughlin

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Julie Loughlin earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Brain and Behavior Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and her Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Biology Education at Union Graduate College. Inspired by positive experiences with her own teachers and as a tutor herself in earlier years, Ms. Loughlin began teaching in 2010. She currently teaches seventh grade science at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School and has served as a modified cross country and track coach, a varsity volleyball assistant coach, and a Girls on the Run advisor. She has also acted as a Science Bowl coach and a Future City Competition educator. Beyond her classroom, Ms. Loughlin has worked in RPI's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and in RPI's ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. She is passionate about creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, excitement, and curiosity about the natural world in her classroom, where students ask questions and find answers to them. In her free time, she loves cooking, painting, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her husband, two cats and pet python. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is excited to share best practices and collaborate with the other Master Teachers, to grow through course work and to develop pre-service teachers.

Michael Mahoney

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Mahopac School District

Michael Mahoney earned both his BS and MS in Science Education from SUNY New Paltz, and has worked at Mahopac High School for 20 years. Mr. Mahoney has taught Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, AP Environmental and Living Environment, and Syracuse University Project Advance Forensics. Mr. Mahoney is actively engaged in his district with the Teachers Teaching Teachers program that trains educators in new content, skills and pedagogy. He also created a program at his school district to help new teachers transition into their profession. Admittedly, Mr. Mahoney says that he learns as much from them as they learn from him. Mr. Mahoney is excited about his new project that allows students to work side by side with STEM researchers in Costa Rica to preserve the rainforest. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Mahoney is looking forward to joining his peers in various professional learning teams. His focus is learning and teaching others about reaching the new generation of students, the digital natives. His approach to learning can be summed up by Henry Ford's statement, "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."

Nicholas Malgieri

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wallkill Central School District

Nicholas Malgieri earned his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Marist College and his M.A.T. in Biology from Bard College. Mr. Malgieri teaches Living Environment and Forensic Science at Wallkill Senior High School where he is a strong advocate for student-centered instruction and project-based learning. His goal is to assist students in creating deeper connections to the content and to develop a true passion for science by encouraging their curiosity and actively involving them in the learning process. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Nicholas advises the Scholastic Match-up Club and Sophomore Class. He is a union building representative and serves as a member of his district's comprehensive district education plan committee, school improvement team, professional development committee, and the technology pilot program. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Malgieri has participated in the New Ideas in Science PLT, attended several workshops including STARLAB training, Climate Change and Weaving the Threads of the NYSP12SLS, assisted at the Girls Rock STEM event at SUNY New Paltz, and taken Biology of Cancer and Astronomy II mini-courses. Nicholas looks forward to continuing to collaborate with his peers to deepen and broaden his content and pedagogical knowledge so that he can provide enhanced learning opportunities for his students.

Stephanie Marden

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Stephanie Marden earned her B.A. in Biology from Binghamton University and M.S.Ed. from Mount Saint Mary College. She has been teaching Biology at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville for sixteen years. Prior to teaching, she worked as a Naturalist at an environmental center and this experience is what led her to a career in teaching. She currently teaches Contemporary Issues in Biomedicine, Regents Biology, and Foundations of Living Environment. Mrs. Marden inspires students at all levels of academic strengths and challenges. Outside of the classroom, she serves on the Building Emergency Response Team and advises the running club. Outside of school, she serves on various committees for the PTA at her children's schools. An avid runner, she actively competes in long-distance races. This year she completed her first 50-mile race at the Mohonk Preserve. Within the Master Teacher Program, she is looking forward to sharing her love of science with others and invigorating her repertoire of professional development experiences.

Alexandria Margiotta

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Rye School District

Alexandria Margiotta earned her BS in Biology and Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Science Education from Stony Brook University. At Stony Brook, she was inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society and the Dean's List. Alexandria developed a love and passion for teaching as a Teaching Assistant in a Biology Lab, which spurred her passion and drive to pursue education as a career. She began teaching in 2011. Currently, Alexandria teaches Earth Science and Chemistry at Rye High School. She is an active member in her local Science Teachers Association of NYS (STANYS), American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT), and New York Earth Science Teachers Association (NYESTA). She is also the Faculty Council President for the Rye Teachers Association and was the faculty advisor for the class of 2017. She currently volunteers with new faculty advisors and mentors them on the roles and responsibilities of the club. Additionally, Alexandria is a mentor for new teachers. As a STEM teacher, she is passionate about educating her students to solve problems, think creatively, and collaborate with their classmates. In her free time, Alexandria enjoys completing paintings and puzzles of famous pieces of art. She is excited to collaborate with fellow Master Teachers to incorporate literacy, NGSS, and various learning styles into lessons.

Kristen Mateja

Scarsdale Union Free School District

Kristen Mateja earned her B.A. in Psychology with a focus in Childhood Education and Special Education, and her M.A. in Educational Psychology from Marist College. She has been teaching for eight years and is currently teaching at Greenacres Elementary School as a Special Education Teacher in a 2nd Grade Inclusion Co-Taught classroom. She is dedicated to providing opportunities in both science and mathematics where all students can learn and create real-world connections to the content they are learning. She incorporates a multi-sensory approach to learning mathematics, which appeals to all learners including students with disabilities. In addition to co-teaching all subject areas, she is dedicated to incorporating opportunities for STEM activities in her classroom through the use of “Genius Hour.” Genius Hour provides time for her students to explore their passions while learning how to code, use robots, build 3D models, and study any topic related to STEM. As an active member of the community, Ms. Mateja advises the Board Game Club for students K-5, and is part of the Building Leadership Team. In addition to her time in the 2nd grade classroom, Ms. Mateja is an adjunct professor at Marist College, teaching Graduate-level classes. Ms. Mateja also enjoys mentoring and supporting pre-service educators as they prepare to enter the field of teaching. When she is not teaching, she can be found hiking, reading, and traveling! Ms. Mateja is honored to be part of the Master Teacher Program, and looks forward to collaborating and learning from educators who share her passion for STEM, and participating in Professional Learning Teams.

Christine Mathers

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Northeast School District

Christine Mathers earned her BS in psychology, special education, and Spanish at Marist College, and MS in learning disabilities at The College of Saint Rose. Later studies at Dutchess Community College led to NYS secondary math certification. Mrs. Mathers began her teaching career at Maplebrook School, a boarding school for students with learning differences. After four rewarding years at Maplebrook, Mrs. Mathers began teaching at the Webutuck School District, where she has been for 14 years. At Webutuck, she has taught Math 7, Math 7 accelerated, Math 8, Algebra 1, and Math Models for 9th graders. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Mathers is a SafeSitter babysitting trainer, member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Association of Math Teachers of NYS, and has assisted in the development of several NY State Teachers' Content Exams for teacher certification. At Webutuck, Mrs. Mathers pioneered the "Small Change for a Big Change" projects in her ninth grade classes, to engage her students in the inspiring idea expressed by Scott Adams, author of Dilbert, "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Mathers is looking forward to collaborating with colleagues and learning new methods and technology to help her students love math.

Anthony Mayer

Ossining Union Free School District

Anthony Mayer earned his BA in Mathematics and MST in Adolescent Education with a concentration in Mathematics at Iona University. In the classroom for 10 years, he teaches Algebra I and Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and serves as Curriculum Coordinator of the Math Department. Mr. Mayer developed a non-AP Calculus course that exposes students to topics in Calculus and its applications, and helped to develop the Foundations for Calculus program. Mr. Mayer has served as an adjunct professor at Iona University and CUNY City College of NY and is a member of the Secondary Collegial Circle in Mathematics in Westchester County. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. Mr. Mayer is very excited to be a part of the Master Teacher Program, to work with his colleagues in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and to continue to learn and grow as an educator.

Matthew Mayer

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh City School District

Matthew Mayer earned his B.S. in Biology from SUNY Empire State College, M.S.Ed. in Adolescence Education from Mercy College, and M.S. in Biology from Clemson University. In the classroom for nine years, Mr. Mayer currently teaches College-Level Anatomy & Physiology, College-Level Forensic Science, and Honors Biology at the Newburgh Free Academy. He has also taught Regents Living Environment, Hudson Valley Field Biology, and Environmental Science. In the evenings, he teaches Environmental Sustainability at Mount Saint Mary College, and Topics in Biology, and Life on Earth at Marist College. Mr. Mayer also teaches in his district’s Homebound Instruction and After-school Tutorial Programs. He is a 2015 Winner of a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Program Grant and was awarded the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley’s Taconic IPA Science Education Grant in 2018 and 2019. In his free time, he likes to hike the Hudson Valley with his wife and dog. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Mayer looks forward to taking the Hudson River Water Quality Data Collection and Analysis mini-course and participating in various Professional Learning Teams.

Justine McClellan

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Bronxville Union Free School District

Justine McClellan earned her BA at Sarah Lawrence College in biology, Masters in Teaching at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland, and holds professional certification in biology, and supplemental certification in Earth Science. In the classroom for eight years, she teaches both subjects, and is advisor of the Astronomy Club at Bronxville High School. Mrs. McClellan recently completed three summers in the Columbia University Summer Research Program for Science Teachers. As part of this program, she spent two summers in a cancer genetics research lab doing microscopy and immunohistology to study the effect of a DNA-targeted therapy on the immune cells and tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Her third summer, she went to James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, where she honed her skills in microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in studying algae of the Great Barrier Reef. She obtained SCUBA certification which served her in collecting samples. Her research experiences have led her to establish an independent study course in cancer research Bronxville High and she has recently obtained a grant to pioneer a research program on the ecology and water quality of the Bronx River. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. McClellan is looking forward to being a member of a professional network of impassioned teachers who seek to grow deeply in their practices and to develop greater depth of knowledge in the science content areas.

Mary Jane McFarland

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Mary Jane McFarland earned her Masters of Science in Teaching literacy grades 5-12 from Mercy College, took various education classes at SUNY New Paltz, received her BS in Biology from The University of Findlay, and earned an Associate's Degree from Dutchess Community College. She has been teaching various levels of biology since 2000 including Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, Honors, Regents, Team and Project SEA (special education alternative) Living Environment. Mrs. McFarland has participated in various AP Biology training sessions, been a co-coach for the Science Olympiad team and has been a Jr. building union representative. In 2008, Mrs. McFarland won the STANYS Edison/Tesla Award for Excellence in Teaching Biology. Besides teaching high school biology, Mrs. McFarland also teaches at Dutchess Community College since 2008. There, she teaches "Introduction to Physiology" to nursing students. Mrs. McFarland, her husband, and two young boys enjoy time together in the outdoors. She has been riding horses since the age of 3 and has been a competitor, judge, instructor, clinician, and a 4-H horse leader. She enjoys participating in Ranch Horse competitions in the Northeast. Mrs. McFarland looks forward to creating and participating in Professional Learning Teams and collaborating with other teachers.

Donna McGrail

Pawling Central School District

Donna McGrail earned her Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Manhattan College and her Master of Education degree from Pace University. She worked as a process engineer prior to following her passion to teach mathematics. In the classroom for 19 years, Mrs. McGrail has taught 6th through 12th grade mathematics and currently teaches Precalculus, College Statistics, and Project Lead The Way Introduction to Engineering Design at Pawling High School. She has also served in the roles of Mathematics Department Chair, Curriculum Leader, Math Coordinator, Math Team Coach, new teacher mentor and is an active participant of the Pawling Teacher Project where a cohort of educators collaborate on pedagogy. Mrs. McGrail is an avid reader and participates in a Collegial Circle focused on Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. Outside of school, Mrs. McGrail enjoys yoga, biking, walking, and spending time with family and friends. She is a big fan of the winners of The Voice season 21, Girl Named Tom. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. McGrail is looking forward to learning from and collaborating with colleagues. She hopes to engage students with relevant applications of math, science, and engineering and to share these applications with other teachers.

Mark McGuire

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Pine Plains Central School District

Mark McGuire earned his B.A. in Secondary Education-Earth Science with a minor in Environmental Science from SUNY Plattsburgh and M.S. in Education and Technology from Western Connecticut University. Mr. McGuire has taught for over 20 years and is currently teaching Earth Science, Environmental Science, Astronomy, and Oceanography. Outside of the classroom, he has coached multiple sports teams including softball, volleyball, soccer, football, track, and wrestling. Mr. McGuire has also advised the theater, chess, game, weight lifting, and jujitsu clubs. He has been a member of the National Science Teachers Association, New York Earth Science Teachers Association, and Science Teachers Association of NYS, for which he has and will continue to be a workshop presenter. Mr. McGuire is looking forward to working with other Master Teachers as well as mentoring student teachers in the years to come.

Christine McIntyre

Wappingers Central School District

Christine McIntyre earned her BA in Chemistry with a concentration in Mathematics with Magna cum laude distinction, and her MS in Secondary Education from Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC). As an undergraduate, she was an active member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society (from which she was awarded a fellowship to pursue her graduate studies), an active member of the Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Honor Society in chemistry, an associate member of Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, and as a graduate student, became a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. While completing her MS, she was the Science Department’s Lab Tech and an adjunct professor teaching Chemistry to nursing students at MSMC. In the classroom for 22 years, Ms. McIntyre teaches 8th Grade science at Van Wyck Junior High School. She has loved participating in all types of school activities including serving on the STEM Committee, chaperoning, facilitating Science Fairs, serving as an Intramural advisor (soccer and bowling), co-advising for Lego Robotics, and mentoring five student teachers and five first-year teachers. During the summer, she works on curriculum writing and is a Science camp coordinator. Ms. McIntyre looks forward to expanding her passion for science through the Master teacher program and inspiring others to love science and want to teach too.

Brandon Milonovich

Ardsley Union Free School District

Brandon Milonovich earned his BA in Adolescent Mathematics Education and MSEd in Higher Education Leadership and Administration from The College of Saint Rose, MS in Teaching and Curriculum from Syracuse University, MPhil in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, MSEd in Educational Leadership from Hunter College, and is pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics Education at Teachers College. Mr. Milonovich has been in the classroom for ten years and teaches a variety of Computer Science courses at Ardsley High School. He also advises the Girls Who Code, the Debate, and the Robotics clubs, the latter is a computer science focused club that participates in the US CyberPatriot competition. Mr. Milonovich serves on the district’s Technology Committee, and is a high school union representative. Outside of the district, Mr. Milonovich shares his passion for computer science as the President of the NY Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association, has presented at numerous conferences, serves as an adjunct professor, and has participated in a variety of national curriculum and research projects surrounding computer science and cybersecurity education. In 2017 Mr. Milonovich was awarded the Transforming Education Through Leading & Learning Outstanding Innovative Teacher recognition by the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center for his work in flipped/active classrooms and growth of the computer science program in his school. In his spare time, Mr. Milonovich is passionate about travel and spending time with his adorable goldendoodle. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Milonovich is looking forward to participating in the variety of exciting opportunities for learning and networking the program has to offer.

Sally Mitchell

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Rye City School District

Sally Mitchell earned her BS in Chemistry and Biology and MSEd from Syracuse University. In the classroom for 21 years, Ms. Mitchell teaches Syracuse University Project Advance College Chemistry and General Chemistry at East Syracuse Minoa High School. An advocate for defining STEM as teaching students to approach problems with instinctual confidence and careful deliberation, she encourages her students to develop personal research projects, and to join the Science Olympiad and Chemistry Olympiad Competitions as a means for engagement in science outside of the classroom. She incorporates food science in her chemistry lessons, indicative of her passion for acquiring as well as disseminating new, applicable, and meaningful science knowledge. She holds the position of American Chemical Society Expert in STEM Education, and past accolades include the James Bryant Conant Award by the American Chemical Society for her outstanding contributions in Chemistry Education. Additionally, she is serving as a Special Consultant on the Governance Board of The American Association of Chemistry Teachers for the first full year of this national organization for teachers of Chemistry K-12. As a result of the NYS Master Teacher Program, Ms. Mitchell has used many ideas from other chemistry Master Teachers in her classroom and has shared those new ideas with colleagues.

Margaret Montalbano

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston School District

Margaret Montalbano earned her BA in mathematics from American International College, where she was a member of the Lady Yellow Jackets D2 softball team, and her MS in Education from SUNY New Paltz. Ms. Montalbano has 23 years of classroom teaching experience; serving her first seven years at Arlington High School, and her past 17 years at her current school, Kingston High School. She is a dedicated mathematics teacher who holds her students to high standards believing that math is a key curriculum subject that helps young people learn to think, question, communicate, solve and produce solutions to mathematical problems and beyond. Ms. Montalbano is a life-long Mid-Hudson Valley resident and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, kayaking and softball. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Ms. Montalbano is looking forward to the numerous professional development offerings such as the 3D printing mini-course as well opportunities for networking with regional math professionals.

Natalie Morales

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Natalie Morales earned her BS in Biology/Secondary Education and MSEd in Literacy from SUNY New Paltz, her professional degree in Educational Administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and her EdD in Instructional Leadership from Western Connecticut State University. In the classroom for 15 years, Dr. Morales teaches Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Environmental Science at Newburgh Free Academy. In addition, she developed new curricula for a course integrating science and technology. Outside the classroom, Dr. Morales is a new teacher mentor, and has served as a "turnkey trainer" and facilitator for the implementation of professional learning communities and classroom management skills within her school. Outside of school, she is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. A lifelong learner, she has been traveling and learning about STEM and education in other countries. As a NYS Master Teacher, Dr. Morales has utilized knowledge from workshops on Next Generation Science Standards and Google Docs in both her classroom and her personal life.

Deborah Mosher

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Debby Mosher earned her BS in Applied Mathematics from Rochester Institute of Technology, and her MS in Math Education from SUNY New Paltz. She worked at IBM writing mathematical models of computer components for six years before becoming a teacher. Mrs. Mosher has been in the classroom for 14 years, and she teaches seventh grade math at Linden Avenue Middle School in Red Hook, New York. Her professional interests include: developing ways to introduce the process of deductive reasoning in middle school math, using math history and the stories of famous mathematicians to engage students, and integrating science topics into middle school math. Her current projects include an interest in school gardens and connecting schools with local farms. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Math and The Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State. She is also a member of the Mid-Hudson Math Teachers' Circle.

Shaniece Mosley

Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District

Shaniece Mosley earned her BS in Chemistry from SUNY Albany and her MS in Secondary Education in the Sciences from Pace University. Ms. Mosley has taught Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry and Science Research over the course of her 11 years in the classroom. She currently teaches at Briarcliff High School, previously spending a decade teaching in New York City. At her current school, Ms. Mosley has served on the Equity and Diversity Committee, is the advisor for the Chemistry Club, and co-advisor for the World of Difference Club. She is an Emeritus Master Teacher at Math for America and a former Mentor Teacher for the Master of Art in Teacher (MAT) program through the American Museum of Natural History. Ms. Mosley finds joy in applying her chemistry content knowledge outside of the classroom (especially through her culinary pursuits) and spending time with her family. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Mosley is looking forward to collaborating with other educators to reimagine pedagogical practices and deepen her science knowledge base.

Hannah Murphy

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Nanuet Union Free School District

Hannah Murphy earned her BS in Sociology from Mercy College and MS in Science Education with a concentration in Earth Science from Lehman College. Mrs. Murphy was inspired to become a teacher and switch careers from Social Work to Education in 1999. Mrs. Murphy teaches Earth Science and General Science at Nanuet High School and A. MacArthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet, NY. Teaching science is something she enjoys not just in her primary role as an Earth Science teacher, but as a Science Olympiad coach and an adjunct professor at Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY. Although Mrs. Murphy is a teacher of STEM, she also considers herself a full-time student of STEM. In 2018, she attended The Real World Science Seminar at the National WWII Museum and participated in The School of Ice with the US Drilling Program. Mrs. Murphy is a lover of the outdoors, and has hiked the Grand Canyon, Mount Marcy, Mount Washington, Death Valley, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons National Parks, and also trekked through the Swiss Alps. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Murphy is looking forward to working with educators who share her passion to learn real-world 21st century research experience that she can bring back to her classroom and school community.

Patricia Nardone

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Patricia Nardone earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from The College of New Rochelle and her MS in Biology Education from SUNY New Paltz. For 33 years, she has taught an array of science courses to students of all abilities at John Jay HS in Hopewell Junction, NY. Currently teaching 9th grade Honors Living Environment, Mrs. Nardone enjoys creating unique lessons that are inquiry and problem based. She is also Teacher in Charge of the science department and serves on many district wide committees. Patricia is involved in many activities at John Jay. She's been class advisor to all grade levels and advisor for the debate, ski, multi-cultural, and young scientists clubs. Her colleagues view her as a mentor/leader. As a life-long learner, she is a member of Science Teachers Association of NYS and American Chemical Society. She has been honored as Teacher of the Year by both her district and IBM. In her spare time, she can be found outside enjoying the beautiful Hudson Valley she calls home. She enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her husband Frank, and two children, Frankie and Nicole. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Nardone is eager to collaborate with colleagues across NYS sharing best practices and a love for science.

Francesco Neal-Noschese

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District

Francesco Neal-Noschese earned his B.A. in Physics and M.A. in Teaching from Cornell University. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and 2011 winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mr. Neal-Noschese has spent his entire teaching career at John Jay High School in Cross River where he currently teaches College-Preparatory Physics, Advanced Placement Physics C, and Probability and Statistics. He is a member of his district's Technology and Professional Development committees and belongs to several professional associations: the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Modeling Teachers Association, and STEM Teachers, NYC. Francesco's teaching philosophy comes from a quote written on physicist Richard Feynman's blackboard – "What I do not create, I do not understand." He advocates for hands-on, minds-on science instruction in which students construct their own meaning about science concepts. Mr. Noschese's classroom has been featured on MSNBC.com and CUNY-TV. In 2012, he was an invited speaker for TEDxNYED. As a Master Teacher, Mr. Neal-Noschese has attended the Astronomy II mini-course, the Exploring Data Literacy Using PCB Data from Fish in the Hudson workshop and A Deeper Dive into NYSSLS conference with Paul Andersen. Francesco looks forward to continuing to learn and share with accomplished teachers throughout the state and to bringing new ideas back to his classroom.

Erin Nelson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston School District

Erin Nelson earned her AA in biology from Ulster Community College, BS in Science Education from SUNY New Paltz and MSEd in Secondary Education from the University of New England. In the classroom for 13 years, Mrs. Nelson teaches 7th grade life science at M.C. Miller Middle School in Lake Katrine. She involves her students in various project-based learning opportunities, such as when her students research topics, and teach students in younger grades what they have learned as researchers. Mrs. Nelson believes in scholarship, leadership and character development, and is the adviser of National Junior Honor Society, facilitating numerous community service projects throughout the school year. As a grant recipient from the Community Foundation, she purchased laboratory equipment and led her students on a field trip to learn about Hudson River ecology as part of the Clearwater Tideline Program. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Mrs. Nelson is the Science Department Liaison, and frequent collaborator with the Educational Development Center, a nonprofit research and development foundation. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mrs. Nelson is a member of the Teaching Digital Natives Professional Learning Team (PLT), and facilitator of the Technology in the Classroom PLT.

Marc Ouimet

Arlington Central School District

Marc Ouimet Marc Ouimet received his BS in Physics Education, his MS in Curriculum Development from SUNY Albany, and his Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from SUNY New Paltz. He is a former National Board Certified Teacher in Physics and has been teaching Physics and other science electives for 25 years at Arlington High School. Ten years ago, Mr. Ouimet started the "Teaching Science" program which allows high school students to develop and teach science lessons to elementary students across the district. The program is designed to give students who are considering a career in teaching the opportunity to explore the joy and challenges of working with children in an educational setting. Mr. Ouimet is Advisor for Student Government and other clubs, such as the School Newspaper and Physics Clubs, and has coached baseball and basketball at both the middle school and high school levels. Mr. Ouimet served on several committees such as Curriculum Writing, Student Equity, Building Leadership Team, and the Community Engagement Forum. Outside of school Mr. Ouimet enjoys the outdoors, plays guitar, has been an avid home brewer for over 20 years, and enjoys construction projects including building houses. He is also a NYS licensed home inspector. Mr. Ouimet looks forward to meeting other Master Teachers and improving the quality of his teaching by collaborating with other teachers and partnering with professionals and industries in the field.

Matthew Paley

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

New Paltz School District

Matthew Paley was inspired to teach after having some amazing teachers throughout his high school career. After graduating from Rondout Valley High, a small rural high school in upstate New York, Mr. Payely went on to earn his BS in Education from SUNY Oswego and his MSEd in Mathematics Education from SUNY New Paltz. Mr. Paley started teaching in Highland, NY. This first exposure to teaching was a great experience and his colleagues helped him with that overwhelming first year learning curve. Soon after, Mr. Paley joined the staff of neighboring district New Paltz Central School. He has been there for 14 years now and has grown into a confident, creative, and energetic educator, teaching Algebra One Common Core, Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics, and AP Calculus at New Paltz High School. Outside of school, Mr. Paley is an avid cyclist and stays active in the local baseball league with his two sons. After receiving the news of being selected as a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Paley is quoted as saying "This is going to be a great experience, to gather with other dedicated and knowledgeable STEM teachers to enhance the learning experience for students at New Paltz. I'm excited to get working."

James Panzer

Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District

James Panzer earned his BA in Earth and Space Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook with a minor in Theater Arts, for which he received the Outstanding Theater Minor award. After having completed a National Student Exchange program to the University of Hawaii at Hilo during his undergraduate years, he decided to become a teacher and attended SUNY Cortland, where he earned his MAT in teaching for Earth Science. With his quest for knowledge not complete, he decided to earn a Physics Teaching certificate before embarking on student teaching. He now has more than 17 years of professional teaching experience at John Jay High School in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. During this time, he facilitated in the creation of a course titled Environmental Physics, taught as part of Syracuse University Project Advance, directed the school musical and was named the district's first Sustainability Curriculum Integration Leader for grades 6-12. He is currently an active participant in University of Seattle's Energy and Equity Professional Learning Committee. Both inside and outside the classroom, James continues to be inspired by the words of John C. Maxwell "People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Jennifer Parker

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park School District

Jennifer L. Parker earned a BA in mathematics with a double minor in Computer Science and Women's Studies from Elmira College, and MA in Educational Psychology from Marist College. In the classroom over 14 years, Ms. Parker has taught a variety of high school math classes and currently teaches Advanced Placement Calculus, Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors, and Algebra 2/Trigonometry at FDRoosevelt High School in Hyde Park. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Parker enjoys organizing special events for her students, such as an annual Math Professional Day and a yearly fieldtrip to the local elementary schools where her students share math-themed children's books they have created. She has also served as the JV Volleyball coach since 2005. Although Ms. Parker's professional life keeps her busy, she finds time for activities she enjoys outside the classroom as well. She plays in an adult volleyball league, likes paper crafting & card making, and spends as much time with her family as she can. Ms. Parker is excited for the new opportunities being a NYS Master Teacher will bring, and is looking forward to working with fellow upper level math teachers as well as peers outside her discipline.

Samrat Pathania

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wallkill School District

Samrat Pathania grew up in India and his childhood love for science and mathematics culminated in a degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur (India). After working several years as a software engineer with various multi-national corporations, Samrat became a teacher and enrolled at SUNY New Paltz. He earned his BS in both Mathematics and Secondary Education Physics from SUNY New Paltz with outstanding graduate awards in each. He became involved in mathematics research during graduate coursework with his mentor David Clark. Samrat was named the sole winner of the 2017 STEM Teacher Scholarship from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, and was also awarded one of two 2017 Mathematics Graduate Course Work Scholarships from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Samrat teaches physics, mathematics and software programming courses at Wallkill High School. Having learned mathematics through multiple inquiry-based learning (IBL) courses, he strives to bring the benefits of IBL to mathematics and science education. He is currently co-authoring a university level textbook with David Clark which lays out the full theoretical foundation of a new system of Euclidean Geometry tailored to the needs of secondary school teachers. He is a passionate advocate for the environment and is former chair and coordinator of the New Paltz Climate Action Coalition. He is also concerned about advances in digital technologies as they pertain to the question of human well-being and flourishing.

Jason Pavlich

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Jason Pavlich earned his BA in chemistry from Bard College and MS in Chemical Education from SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for over 13 years, Mr. Pavlich teaches Honors Regents Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, and International Baccalaureate Chemistry at Red Hook High School in northern Dutchess County. Mr. Pavlich constantly strives to improve upon his content knowledge through graduate courses, summer workshops, and seminars. He has participated in oceanographic research expeditions to the Bering Sea (Bering Sea Ecosystem Study) and the Arctic Ocean (Circumpolar Flaw Lead Study) and is an active member of both the National Science Teachers Association and the American Chemical Society. In addition to his academic position, Pavlich has served as advisor to numerous clubs and as the Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach since 2002. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mr. Pavlich has participated in mini-courses, including the Safety of Genetically Engineered Food and Measuring Global Climate Change, and is a member of the Professional Learning Team exploring the Application of the Next Generation Science Standards into K-5^th grade Classrooms.

Michael Pepe

Nanuet Union Free School District

Michael Pepe earned his BA in Chemistry, his MAT in Secondary Chemistry Education, and an MA in Chemistry all from SUNY Binghamton where he was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry for Nurses. Mr. Pepe has been in the classroom since 2007. He has been teaching Honors and Advanced Placement Chemistry in Nanuet High School in the Nanuet School district, since 2016. Mr. Pepe's favorite part of teaching chemistry is being able to interact and engage with his students as they work collaboratively on problem sets and lab experiments. He is most looking forward to improving and learning new tools of the trade from other STEM educators in the Master Teacher Program. In the past Mr. Pepe was a high school football and lacrosse coach, but he is currently coaching his three young children at the youth level. When not teaching Mr. Pepe enjoys playing Pickleball and snowboarding.

‌Brian Perry

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Nanuet Union Free School District

Brian Perry earned his BS in Technology Education and MS in Vocational Education from SUNY Oswego. Certified in K-12 Technology Education and in the classroom for ten years, Mr. Perry teaches Introduction to Technology, STEM, Engineering and 3-D modeling at A. MacArthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet. He is active in the Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Technology Education Association, and the NYS Technology and Engineering Educator's Association. Mr. Perry has been part of developing and implementing a 6th and 7th grade STEM curriculum, and has presented at various conferences and workshops on this curriculum. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Perry enjoys surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking with his wife and two children. Additionally, Mr. Perry holds a helicopter pilot license which he uses to conduct helicopter tours and charter around Philadelphia, Atlantic City and most recently, working at NY Helicopter in NYC. Mr. Perry is very excited to be involved with the NYS Master Teacher program and is looking forward to collaborating with teachers from all over the region and state.

Elizabeth Peterson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Nyack School District

Elizabeth Peterson earned her BS in Mathematics and Education from SUNY at Geneseo, and Master of Education from Harvard University. In the classroom for six years, Ms. Peterson teaches Math 7 and Math 8 at Nyack Middle School.

Yvonne Pierce

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Yvonne Pierce earned her BA in Geology from Smith College, MS in Exploration Geophysics from Stanford University, and as a Fulbright Scholar, studied Alpine Geology and Geophysics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Ms. Pierce is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified Adolescent and Young Adult Science Teacher. Prior to high school teaching, Ms. Pierce was a geophysicist and a hydrogeologist, and an Adjunct Professor of Earth Science at Montana State University. In the classroom for 13 years, Ms. Pierce teaches Earth Science, astronomy and chemistry at Red Hook Central High School. She serves as the Advanced Placement Examination Coordinator for Red Hook Central Schools, and coach of a FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Team. Ms. Pierce is the author of a children's book about plate tectonics and continental drift entitled "Professor Curious and the Mystery of the Hiking Dinosaurs." Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Ms. Pierce participated in the Geoscience of Hydrofracturing mini-course and is a member of the Next Generation Science Standards Professional Learning Team. Ms. Pierce finds inspiration in the words of French anthropologist and ethnologist, Claude Lévi-Strauss: "The scientist is not a person who gives the right answer, he's the one who asks the right questions."

Michelle Pink

Spackenkill Union Free School District

Michelle Pink earned her BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in Science from SUNY New Paltz, her MA in Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6) from Mount Saint Mary’s College. In her 24th year of teaching, Mrs. Pink teaches 6th grade science and has taught 6th grade math, reading, and English Language Arts at Orville A Todd Middle School. She has served as the 6th grade Chairperson for Science and as Co-Chair for the 6-12th grade Science Department, and is an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz, teaching the Master of Science in Teaching Fieldwork classes. Additionally, Mrs. Pink coaches the Middle School Science Olympiad team, helping students prepare for regional and state competitions. Mrs. Pink won the award for Outstanding Coach in Science Olympiad, and was recognized by the 14th Annual SUNY New Paltz Internship Recognition Ceremony for her valuable contributions and continued support in the Student Teaching Program. Being an original Technology Fellow for the Spackenkill School District ties to her passion of learning new technologies and sharing them with other educators. As a lifelong learner, Mrs. Pink looks forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers as well as future teachers to share knowledge and learn from others.

Michael Polotaye

Arlington Central School District

Michael Polotaye earned his BS in Environmental Science and minor in Biology at West Virginia University, and MS in Adolescent Education from Mercy College. Mr. Polotaye has been in the classroom for 18 years at Arlington Highschool and has taught Foundations of Biology, Regents Living Environment, Academic Intervention for Biology, Vertebrate Marine Biology, and is currently teaching Honors Biology and Invertebrate Marine Biology. Mr. Polotaye strives to provide a student driven, hands on approach to science learning in which student interest helps drive their classroom engagement and learning. He enjoys working with students outside of the classroom and has supervised a Garden Club and Save the Bees Club, as well as chaperoned multiple Marine Biology trips to Key Largo, FL. Additionally, Mr. Polotaye helped lead a small group of students to National winners of the NSTA/Toshiba ExploraVision Science Competition in 2016. Mr. Polotaye enjoys the outdoors where he spends time farming, taking hikes with his kids, and enjoying nature. He is SCUBA certified and enjoys traveling to exciting dive locations. Mr. Polotaye is excited to be awarded this opportunity to meet and work with a collection of likeminded, driven professionals as a means to advance his work in the classroom as well as enrich his own personal life experiences.

Kelley Posch

Mahopac Central School District

Kelley Posch =, a graduate from Carmel High School in Putnam County, earned her BA in Mathematics/Education (7-12), and her MA in Educational Psychology from Marist College. Inspired by her own high school teachers and college professors, she strives to foster her students’ growth mindset and self-efficacy with respect to mathematics and all learning. In the classroom for ten years, Mrs. Posch proudly teaches at Mahopac High School (Algebra 1 and a freshmen Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) course). Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Posch is a varsity cross country and track and field coach, advisor for Mahopac’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, member of Mahopac High School’s Climate Committee, professional development facilitator for Teachers Teaching Teachers (an in-district PD program, member of the district’s SEL team, and mentor for teachers new to the district. Mrs. Posch competed in cross country and track and field at Marist College, serving as captain in her senior year. She has run the Philadelphia Marathon, Boston Marathon, and the NYC Marathon. She currently enjoys going for runs with her high school student-athletes while pushing her one-year-old daughter in the jogging stroller. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is looking forward to growing her professional learning community to learn with her fellow Master Teachers so she can continue to best serve her students.

Barbara Procario

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers Central School District

Barbara Procario earned her BS in Environmental Education from Cornell University, MA in Education from Fairfield University, and National Board Certification in Adolescent Science. In the classroom for 32 years, she teaches eighth grade science at Van Wyck Junior High School. A strong advocate of experiential learning and real-world connections, Mrs. Procario uses numerous activities that foster student engagement, including ecology units that include a "citizen science" component that requires students collect, analyze, and interpret data for both the DEC at Norrie Point and Cary Institute in Millbrook. Mrs. Procario also involves her classes in distance learning programs with scientific researchers, so the students make connections between the classroom, their lives, and the greater world of science. Her professional interests include environmental studies, interdisciplinary education and promoting scientific literacy. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mrs. Procario is a member of the Exploring Science Literacy/Strategies for Student Success Professional Learning Team (PLT) and Developing Teacher Professional Development on Incorporation of NGSS PLT.

Mrs. Procario is inspired by the words attributed to Benjamin Franklin: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Jessica Puopolo

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District

Jessica Puopolo earned a BS in Biology from the University at Albany and MS in Education from the College of Saint Rose. A classroom teacher for 13 years, Mrs. Puopolo has taught middle and high school science including Life Science, Physical Science, Living Environment, and Earth Science. She is currently teaching Earth Science and Science Research at Monroe-Woodbury High School. Her career in science was inspired by her own high school science teachers and her love of learning. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Puopolo has served as a Varsity track coach and an Olweus Anti-Bullying Committee member. She is currently the advisor for the high school Interact Club, in which she facilitates students working together and participating in a variety of community service opportunities. When not in school, Mrs. Puopolo enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and instilling a love for science in her own children. As a new Master Teacher, she is looking forward to collaborating, learning, and sharing with like-minded individuals.

Eleanor Pupko

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Spackenkill School District

Eleanor Pupko earned her BA in mathematics from Utica College and MS in mathematics from Syracuse University. Before becoming a teacher, she operated one of the top dairy farms in Oneida County with her brother. In the classroom for almost 20 years, Ms. Pupko has taught a diverse range of students at the high school, community college, and university level. Currently, she teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC and Calculus AB, Precalculus Honors and Alegebra2/Trigonometry at Spackenkill High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Pupko has served as Curriculum Coordinator for grades 6-12, and coach of the Mathematics Team and helped establish the Gay Straight Alliance at her school, and was selected to serve as an AP Calculus Exam Reader. Ms. Pupko considers herself a results-oriented, inspirational mathematics educator, whose main mission is to ensure that students become problem solvers. Specializing in curriculum development, textbook evaluation, traditional and calculator-driven methods, she prepares her student to excel in rigorous college programs and beyond. She has presented at both state and regional mathematics conferences. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Ms. Pupko has participated in the Fractals & 3D Data Processing and the Safety of Genetically Engineered Food mini-courses and the Book Study Professional Learning Team.

Tara Redican

Newburgh City School District

Tara Redican earned her BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and MS in Education from Bank Street College. She has been teaching everything from Pre-K to high school mathematics, robotics, and chemistry since 2001. Mrs. Redican is an active member in AACT and ACS, and she recently participated in the Science Coaches program which pairs scientists in the field with classrooms. She is the faculty sponsor of ChemClub and the NYS Science Honor Society at her school, Newburgh Free Academy. Currently, Mrs. Redican is teaching Honors and Regents Chemistry, but looks forward to teaching a new STEAM course next year and continuing to incorporate content from the multi-disciplinary Big History Project into General Chemistry courses, as well. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping, and has participated in Earthwatch research expeditions where she was able to study whales, dolphins, and lemurs. In addition to classroom duties, she enjoys leading professional development classes such as, "Digital Webquests , Escape Rooms, Puzzle Reveals and more." As a NYS Mater Teacher, Mrs. Redican is looking forward to joining the Chemistry Professional Learning Team and learning more about "Girls Rock STEM. "

Alecia Redway

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yonkers School District

Alecia Redway earned her BA in psychology and MSEd from New York University, and NYS Permanent Certificates in Chemistry, Biology and General Science grades 7-12 with a Gifted Education Extension. In the classroom for 13 years, Ms. Redway teaches Regents Living Environment at Pearls Hawthorne School. She has also taught Chemistry, Forensic Science, Earth Science, and General Science in both the Yonkers and NYC Public Schools. As an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, she is passionate about reading books from authors to add to her strategies to communicate the most elusive science concepts to her students. She shares innovative technologies and learning strategies with her colleagues by facilitating workshops on technology integration, designing curricula, and data analysis implementation. As a member of an online teacher community in Yonkers, she co-designs blended learning courses in High School Chemistry, Earth Science, and Health. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Redway is looking forward to attending mini-courses on emerging science technologies, presenting various assessment strategies, and initiating a Professional Learning Team to support struggling learners.

Lisa Reece

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Warwick Valley Central School District

Lisa Reece earned her B.S. in Environmental and Organismal Biology from SUNY New Paltz, her M.S. Ed. in Adolescence Education from Long Island University, and a graduate certificate in STEM Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Mrs. Reece teaches Living Environment and a three-year program in Science Research at Warwick Valley High School, sponsored by SUNY Albany. She is a member of the STEAM Fair Committee and the recipient of 5 Taconic IPA Science Education grants for laboratory equipment. Currently, Lisa is a mentor with the NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project and a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Mrs. Reece has received many awards, including: Siemens STEM Institute Fellowship, USNA Set Sail, Hudson Valley STEM Teaching Fellowship, Ecology Project International Marine Education Fellowship in Costa Rica, and a TEACH Earth Research Fellowship in the Sierra Nevadas, and, since becoming a NYS Master Teacher, was selected to attend the Honeywell Space Academy. Mrs. Reece has participated in the Biology of Cancer mini-course and explored engineering at Bear Mountain Bridge with a NYSBA Bridge Engineer. Lisa is excited by the opportunities to collaborate with like-minded teachers seeking to prepare students for careers of tomorrow.

Jennifer Rescigno

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

Jennifer Rescigno earned her dual Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and Mathematics from SUNY Oneonta and her Master of Science in Educational Technology from New York Institute of Technology. She holds certifications for childhood education (grades 1-6), mathematics 7-9 extension, is an Educational Technology Specialist, received National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, and is a Google Certificated Educator. Ms. Rescigno is a Curriculum Fellow for the Croton-Harmon Union Free School district, where she holds a leadership role assisting with and implementing the district’s goals. She’s worked at the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School for 12 years, teaching 5th and 6th grade. She currently teaches 6th grade math and loves transforming her class using game-like structures. Ms. Rescigno shares her passion for nature and animals with her students by incorporating them into math lessons often. If she’s not in the classroom, you might find her playing the violin and running local races alongside her students. Outside of school, Ms. Rescigno enjoys jogging and creating memories with family, friends, and her bearded dragons, chickens, and ducks. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Rescigno is looking forward to the opportunity to network and collaborate with other Master Teachers throughout New York State.

Deanna Rizzo

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston City School District

Deanna Rizzo earned her BS in Biology/Secondary Education and MS in Biology from Buffalo State College. In the classroom for 15 years, Ms. Rizzo teaches Honors Chemistry, Chemistry for Artists, and Advanced Placement Environmental Science at Kingston High School. As a strong advocate for constructivism, her instructional methods are founded in the belief that if students are allowed to explore ideas that are meaningful to them, their learning has no limits. They are pushed to question current claims in science, and to develop solutions through independent or guided research. Her professional interests include creating a paperless classroom using technology and conducting citizen science projects with the Department of Environmental Conservation. Her current projects include integrating educational learning management systems and utilizing Twitter to bring current science discoveries into the classroom. In 2012, she was accepted into the University at Buffalo's Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership research program, where science educators from Buffalo, NY were chosen to work alongside researchers in developing new activities for the classroom. She is a mixed martial artist with a black belt in TaeKwonDo and currently studies Shiya-do Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a NYS Master Teacher, she presented on designing for inquiry in the science classroom at the first Annual NYSMTP Professional Development Conference.

Frank Rizzo

Mahopac Central School District

Frank Rizzo earned his BS in Biology from SUNY New Paltz and a MS in Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology. Mr. Rizzo has taught for twenty-six years and is currently teaching Regents Living Environment and College Forensics at Mahopac High School. He is the advisor of the Biology Club and Genesis Water Quality Club as well as a Science Olympiad co-advisor. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking and many other outdoor activities with his two sons and wife. As a Master Teacher, Mr. Rizzo is excited to work with other teachers throughout the area and believes their efforts will be an enriching experience.

Catherine Robinson

Spackenkill Union Free School District

Catherine Robinson earned a BS in Mathematics from Manhattan College and a MS in Mathematics Education from SUNY New Paltz. A classroom teacher for 30 years at Spackenkill High School, her alma mater, Mrs. Robinson teaches PreCalculus and Calculus I, both dual enrollment courses with Dutchess Community College, after a successful campaign to bring this opportunity to her students. Mrs. Robinson is a passionate advocate for the educators in her district, serving as President of the Spackenkill Teachers’ Association for 15 years, member of numerous committees, including the District Safety Committee and Joint Teacher Administration Committee, and as Chair of the Summer Grant Committee. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Robinson enjoys volleyball, baking, and escape room games. She was encouraged to apply to be a Master Teacher by her daughter, a first-year veterinary medicine student at Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine; Mrs. Robinson is so proud of her accomplishments. As a NYS Master teacher, she is looking forward to learning new strategies to enhance her teaching and meeting other educators in her discipline to share best practices.

Lisa Roloson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Arlington Central School District

Lisa Roloson earned her BS in Biology from Brandeis University, MS in Secondary Education in Biology from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently working on her Certificate of Advanced Study-Education Administration at SUNY New Paltz. In the classroom for 12 years, Mrs. Roloson teaches Regents Earth Science and 8th Grade Planetary Science at Union Vale Middle School. She strives to make science relevant to all students, and supports student participation in programs like the Lexus-Eco Challenge, which promotes community involvement and problem-solving. Projects include piloting a Bring Your Own Device technology program and grant writing to acquire more resources to ensure that all students have access to current technology. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Roloson is a member of her district's Technology Team and STEM Advisory Council. She was awarded the "Great Teachers Doing Great Things" recognition for demonstrating leadership in presenting to the Board of Education. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Roloson now spends most of her time with her Middle School Professional Learning Team planning the first "Girls Rock STEM!" conference on April 30. Shortly after registration opened, 100+ girls had registered to participate in more than a dozen STEM workshops and activities.

Paul Rubeo

Yorktown Central School District

Paul Rubeo earned his BS in Chemistry with Inclusive Education and a minor in Biology at Nazareth College of Rochester and his MS in Chemistry from the University of Rochester, focusing his coursework and research in the field of Bioorganic Chemistry. He has seven years of experience as an NYS certified teacher and spent several years as a teaching assistant for undergraduate Chemistry courses at the University of Rochester. Mr. Rubeo is currently the Lead Teacher in the Science Research Program at Yorktown High School. In his previous roles, he has taught Chemistry, Biology, Applied Physical Science, and Middle School Science. In addition to his primary teaching responsibilities, Mr. Rubeo advises the Aeronautics club and is involved in helping students present their work at various competitions, including the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF), the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), and the Westchester-Rockland Juniors Science and Humanities Symposium (WR-JSHS). He currently serves as a committee member for WR-JSHS, is a member of the American Chemical Society, Kappa Delta Pi, and recently joined the Science Teachers Association of New York State. Outside of school, Mr. Rubeo enjoys playing music and hiking with his family. He is excited to collaborate with other Master Teachers, share ideas, and further improve his craft to bring back innovative ideas to his home district.

Nancy Rypkema

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Valley Central School District

Nancy Rypkema earned a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry from SUNY Albany. Ms. Rypkema spent time in the corporate world before deciding to pursue a career in education. She earned her MS in education from SUNY New Paltz and began teaching in the Yonkers School System, spending six years at Emerson Jr. High. She then went to work for Valley Central Middle School and has stayed there ever since, currently teaching Accelerated Life and Physical Science. In that time Ms. Rypkema received her National Board Certification and was named Cooperating Teacher of the Year for her work with student teachers. Ms. Rypkema is an active member of the staff serving on multiple committees and recently taking over as Department Chairperson. She has also worked with the Science Olympiad team and is co-chair for the Valley Central Spirit group. Outside of school, Ms. Rypkema enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the world. She also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and helps build or restore homes. Ms. Rypkema is excited to be part of the NYS Master Teacher program and is looking forward to sharing ideas with her colleagues.

Molly Sager

Carmel Central School District

Molly Sager earned her BS in Chemistry and Teaching and Coaching Certifications from the University of Northern Iowa while playing for their Women's basketball team. She earned her MSEd from the University of New England. Mrs. Sager began her teaching career in Iowa. A love for missions led her to teach in Budapest Hungary for a year and it also led her to her husband who lived in New York, where she has now lived and taught for the past 23 years. Mrs. Sager currently teaches Chemistry and Syracuse University Project Advance Chemistry at Carmel High School for the last 19 years. Her inspiration has been her parents: A mom who was a nurse and dad who still runs a plumbing business at 80 years old. Mrs. Sager's parents instilled in her a work ethic that gives her continual motivation to use real world examples and scenarios to nurture curiosity and a desire to learn in her students. Mrs. Sager works to make her classroom a place where empathy, mutual respect and learning can abound. She has two children at the college level who share her genuine curiosity about the world around them. Her passions include, travel, athletics, missions and being with her family. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Sager is especially excited to work with her peers, to encourage them and be challenged by them to learn new content and ideas to inspire students.

Janet Saltzman

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Janet Saltzman earned her BA in Earth Science from CUNY Hunter College and MA in Geology from Columbia University. Ms. Saltzman has been teaching in the classroom for 20 years, and she teaches International Baccalaureate Physics as well as Regents level Physics. She is currently the science department chair at Red Hook CSD. A strong advocate of independence among students, she encourages her students to perform independent research and be able to interpret their own data sets. Her professional interests and research in geology has focused on using volcanic ash beds in the U.S. Northwest Basin & Range as time markers to trace the path of the Yellowstone Hotspot, to estimate fault displacement rates, and to date fossils are geologic formations. She has also served as a new teacher mentor and has been a member of the professional development committee, and science curriculum committee. In addition she has coauthored an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Jennifer Sauer

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Saugerties School District

Jennifer Sauer earned her BA in Mathematics and Adolescent Education from Houghton College and her MS in Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology from the State University at Albany. Mrs. Sauer has been in the classroom for 11 years, and she teaches Algebra 2 and Trigonometry, Applied Math, Academic Intervention Service(AIS), Regents Intensive Common Core Algebra/Geometry, and Alternate Placement Algebra at Saugerties High School in Saugerties, NY. A strong advocate for technology in the classroom and application of math principles to real life, she involves her students in the flipped classroom and project based learning. Her professional interests focus on a unified understanding of the K-12 math curriculum as well as motivational techniques in the classroom. Her current projects include writing questions for the Topical Review Book Company and multiple curriculum writing projects for the Saugerties Central School District. In addition, she serves on the committee for school improvement at Saugerties High School and is a member of the Association of Math Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS).

Gwen Saylor

Arlington Central School District

Gwen Saylor earned her BA in Biology from University at Albany and MSEd in Physics from Buffalo State College. She currently teaches Regents Physics and Astronomy at Arlington High School. In her 20 years of teaching, she has taught across all science disciplines but particularly loves engaging students in physics concepts through hands-on activities and interactive technology. One of her many passions is collaborating in the district's Teaching Science program which brings together high school students that are interested in becoming science teachers with enthusiastic elementary students. This program has led to many project-based learning opportunities such as an AR sandbox and a mini-planetarium. To support these projects Ms. Saylor has written and been awarded a number of grants from local and national organizations. Ms. Saylor strives to keep her knowledge up to date and relevant for students by attending summer workshops at cutting edge research centers such as the National Cyclotron, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Cornell Center for Nanoscience, and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. She earned an Endeavor Stem Leadership Certificate through a partnership of Regeneron, NASA, and Columbia University. Her hobbies include scuba diving, snowboarding and traveling. She is an outdoor enthusiast and is half-way through the goal of visiting all of the US National Parks.

Carrie Schlagler

Marlboro Central School District

Carrie Schlagler earned her BS in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry at New York University, and her MS in Cell Biology and Genetics from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. Prior to teaching, Ms. Schlagler researched cell cycle regulation and breast cancer at the Sloan-Kettering Institute and worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative. She returned to SUNY Empire State College to earn her MAT after raising three children. With eleven years of pedagogical experience, Ms. Schlagler teaches Regents Living Environment and Earth Science, including several laboratory sections, at Marlboro Central High School. Her students have diverse educational and learning needs, from honors to special ed. During the school year, Ms. Schlagler is involved in a variety of events, including chaperoning and/or attending dances, field trips, sporting events, and concerts. She has been the Science Olympiad advisor, mentored new staff, presented numerous district sponsored professional development courses, and hosted a student teacher. Throughout MCHS, she is known for collaborating with colleagues both within and beyond the science department. Outside the classroom, Ms. Schlagler enjoys spending time with her three children, running, and cake baking and decorating. Her motto is "if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you," and she is known for telling her students to "be stronger than any excuse." As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Schlagler looks forward to sharing best practices from educators across the state with her district colleagues.

Kenneth Schoeller

Nyack Union Free School District

Kenneth Schoeller earned his BA in Mathematics/Computer Science from Purchase College, and MS in Math Education from Pace University. Mr. Schoeller previously worked as a Construction Site Inspector for the NYS Department of Transportation and as a Residence Director at Pace University. He has been teaching for 11 years in NY and was a Lecturer of Mathematics at Purchase College, earlier in his career. Currently, he teaches Math 8 at Nyack Middle School but previously taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Accelerated Algebra 2 Honors, and College Algebra at Nyack High School. Mr. Schoeller has served as an Advisor to the Math Honor Society, Rockland County Math League, NYS Math League, and Varsity Assistant Bowling Coach. He is currently a teacher liaison to Inspire Nyack, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding STEM projects in Nyack Public Schools, a team leader for 8th grade, and a member of the Data Committee. Outside of school, he enjoys family activities, managing his son’s little league baseball team, and playing golf. In the NYSMTP, Mr. Schoeller is excited to collaborate with others and find the cross-section between disciplines to make school more meaningful for students.

Matthew Schuchman

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Clarkstown Central School District

Matthew Schuchman earned his BS in chemistry from SUNY Cortland, and MS in Integrating Technology in the Classroom and EdD in Teacher Leadership from Walden University. In the course of undergraduate and early graduate level studies, Mr. Schuchman took significant coursework in several different science areas and holds several science teaching certifications. In his 21 years of teaching experience, Mr. Schuchman has taught Regents and Advance Placement Chemistry, 8^thgrade science, Regents Earth Science, Tech Prep Science, Science Research, Regents and AP Physics, and Syracuse University Project Advance Forensic Science, the latter providing an opportunity for students to earn college credit for coursework. In the classroom for 18 years, he is proud to be a teacher in the Clarkstown School District for the past 13 years. Dr. Schuchman credits his participation in the NYS Master Teacher Program with his better understanding of the struggles in education and his increased awareness of the resources that teachers can be for each other. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Dr. Shuchman highlights his participation in the 3-D Printing mini-course as exercising a direct impact on his instructional methods by helping him use digital design and printer software to make small scale boats for class projects.

Heather Schucker

Nanuet Union Free School District

Heather Schucker earned her BA in Business and Economics from Benedictine University, and after a career change, Certificate of Advanced Study Program in Elementary Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, and her MS in Elementary Education with a specialization in Science at Iona College, earning the outstanding student award upon graduation. Mrs. Schucker has been in the classroom for 19 years at A. MacArthur Barr Middle School where she teaches 5th grade science and English Language Arts. She enjoys coaching the Division B Science Olympiad Team at the Middle School and facilitating the CARE Club (Creating Awareness about Recycling and the Environment). She enjoys providing students with learning experiences inside and outside the classroom, having participated in the Trout in the Classroom program, and making use of Nanuet’s Outdoor Education Center for activities throughout the school year. Mrs. Schucker enjoys gardening, and along with her CARE Club students, plants and maintains the school’s courtyard garden. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Schucker is looking forward to participating in the many learning experiences available and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues throughout NYS.

Meagan Nestler Scuderi

Nyack Union Free School District

Meagan Nestler Scuderi earned her BS in Mathematics from Fairfield University, and MSEd from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Scuderi has taught at Nyack High School since 2006, and teaching various levels of Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, PreCalculus and an SAT Prep course. Outside the classroom she makes additional contributions to the school community while advising Mu Alpha Theta and the Rockland Math League. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going on hiking adventures, picnics, and family bike rides. Ms. Scuderi is honored to be a part of the NYS Master Teacher Program and is most looking forward to collaborating with other members of the NYSMTP in an effort to grow professionally and discover new strategies that will enhance the classroom experience for her students.

Jennie Sexton

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Valley Central School District

Jennie Sexton earned her BS in Biology from Bucknell University and MS in Secondary Education from Mount Saint Mary College. An educator for 17 years, she teaches Chemistry and Advanced Placement Chemistry at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, NY. Mrs. Sexton is passionate about creating a classroom environment where all students know they are welcomed, respected, and cared for. In addition to her teaching activities, Mrs. Sexton has served as Science Honor Society Advisor, National Honor Society Advisor, and Treasurer of the Valley Central Teacher's Association. She is a member of the American Chemical Society and American Association of Chemistry Teachers. In her community, she plays flute and piccolo with the Southern Dutchess Concert Band. She is a proud mother to three young children who love to "do science" with her in the kitchen, backyard, hiking trails, and on family vacations. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Sexton looks forward to collaborating with her fellow Master Teachers to learn how to better incorporate inquiry based instruction into her classes.

Krista Sheehan

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Monticello Central School District

Krista Sheehan earned her BA in Biology Education from the College of Saint Rose, and MS in Education from SUNY at Albany. In the classroom for seven years, Ms. Sheehan teaches Regents Living Environment at Monticello High School.

Michael Siuta

Haverstraw-Stony Point Csd (North Rockland)

Michael Siuta earned his BS in Mathematics from Fairfield University and MA from Columbia University Teachers College. He has been teaching for 30 years at North Rockland High School (NRHS), 16 of those years were spent as the 7-12 Department Coordinator. During his time at NRHS, he coached baseball and basketball for over ten years, was the advisor for the School Newspaper for 24 years, and the National Honor Society for six years. Mr. Siuta organized the graduation ceremony for 20 years and the annual faculty vs. seniors basketball game since its inception. Throughout his tenure, he has been on numerous district committees and a presenter during many professional development days. Mr. Siuta has been active in several NYS mathematics organizations, including the Ten County Mathematics Educators Association, where he served as president, organizing one-day conferences at local high schools each year. He served as President of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of NYS after serving as the VP and still sits on the Executive Board today. Mr. Siuta was recently named the President-Elect of the NYS Association of Mathematics Supervisors. He has done many presentations at statewide conferences and served on several NYS Education Department committees. Outside of the classroom, he loves traveling with his family and has visited 41 different states, including Europe several times. Mr. Siuta looks forward to working with the next generation of Mathematics Educators as a member of the Master Teacher Program.

Theresa Smith

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Yonkers City School District

Theresa Smith earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta and M.S. in Elementary Science Education from Iona College. Mrs. Smith has been teaching for 17 years in the City of Yonkers; for the last 11 years, she has been teaching Earth Science at Lincoln High School. Outside of the classroom, she serves as the liaison of the Smaller Learning Communities for the freshman class, Central Treasurer for the school and assists the advisor for the Senior Class. Mrs. Smith is a member of STANYS (Science Teachers Association of NYS) and NYSESTA (NYS Earth Science Teachers Association). Outside of school, Mrs. Smith loves trivia! She is on a trivia team that plays each week; their team made it to the semi-finals 3 times, and she is hoping that they will win the next one! Mrs. Smith also mentors Boy and Girl Scouts and helps them to complete their paperwork to earn Eagle Scout or Silver or Gold Awards. She was also a member of the Boy Scouts’ STEM Committee. Mrs. Smith is excited to be a part of the Master Teacher Program and can’t wait to collaborate with teachers from different districts.

Barbara Spanos

Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District

Barbara Spanos earned both her BS and MS degrees in Biology from CUNY’s City College of New York, and her MAT from Relay Graduate School of Education through the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. During her MS studies at CCNY, Mrs. Spanos conducted research in Dr. Carnaval’s lab and was an adjunct lecturer and teacher’s assistant for undergrad biology courses. Her love of science originates from watching The Magic School Bus as a child; her love of biology was further strengthened as a grad student when she traveled to the Australian Wet Tropics for fieldwork on endangered frogs. Mrs. Spanos proudly defended her master’s thesis on amphibian chytrid fungus disease ecology to aid in Australian conservation efforts. After leaving academia, Mrs. Spanos began teaching in 2014. During her first 7 years, she taught Living Environment in Brooklyn and was a Math for America Early Career Fellow and Master Teacher, as well as a Science Teacher Leader for New Visions for Public Schools. She teaches Advanced Placement Biology, Honors Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology at John Jay High School. Mrs. Spanos also leads culinary workshops at John Jay, has been a Senior Internship Advisor, and participates in a collegial coaching class at her school. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Spanos looks forward to the Girls in STEM Professional Learning Team (PLT(, Pre-Service Teacher PLT, and attending workshops that extend her knowledge of biology.

Keri Spencer

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh School District

Keri Spencer has spent the last 11 out of 13 years teaching Algebra 1 and Geometry at Newburgh Free Academy. She began her teaching career in 2005 in the Bronx teaching sixth grade math. Her teaching certifications cover a wide range including infants to 12th graders with certifications in Mathematics, Students with Disabilities, Childhood Education, and Literacy. She earned her BS in Education from SUNY New Paltz and her MS in Education from Mount Saint Mary College. Keri has always wanted a career in teaching. Her love of learning and the school environment, along with a strong desire to help students believe in themselves, were the driving factors in working towards this dream. She strives to make math approachable to all students. Keri is active in her school and its community, by being part of her school's leadership team and New Teacher Mentoring Program. She helped organize and execute Newburgh Free Academy's (NFA) first Math Career Day, and she participates in NFA's Adopt-a-Grad program each year. She also works with students after school and on the weekends at the local library. In her free time, Keri takes Zumba classes, attempts to cook, and chases after her toddler. As a NYS Master Teacher, Keri looks forward to collaborating with and learning from other teachers in the program. She is excited to strengthen her own teaching practices and become a teacher leader.

Donald Stark

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Poughkeepsie School District

Donald Stark currently teaches fifth grade at Governor Clinton Elementary School in the Poughkeepsie City School District. Mr. Stark received his BS in Education from Elmira College in 2000 and his MSEd from SUNY New Paltz in 2003. Mr. Stark has been a classroom teacher since 2000 and fills the roles of Science Fair Coordinator and Science Turn Key for his building. He became a Hudson Valley Writing Project Teacher Consultant in 2003 and enjoys honing his writing skills as an educator and as an author. He has segued his love of writing to authoring many successful grants to secure funds for STEM equipment and field trips. Mr. Stark always loved school and set his sights on a teaching career at a young age. Even after 19 years, his enthusiasm has changed little. Mr. Stark is excited to add the elementary STEM experience in collaborative and networking opportunities though the Master Teacher Program. When not teaching, Mr. Stark plays indoor and outdoor volleyball, collects toys, and works hard keeping up with his three children.

Elizabeth Stephens

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Mahopac Central School District

Elizabeth Stephens earned her BS in biology with a concentration in biotechnology from the University of Delaware, MS in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College, and MA in Secondary Education from Mercy College. In addition to teaching Regents Living Environment, Introduction to Science Research, and Advanced Science Research at Mahopac High School for eight years, Mrs. Stephens has been an active participant in various school wide initiatives and committees, and is the acting science department chair. As a result of employing the "flipped classroom" model, Mrs. Stephens provides students with a differentiated approach to learning, using class time to engage students with "minds-on" activities such as simulation and role playing activities that reinforce content. She enjoys the opportunity to build strong relationships with her students in Science Research, a multi-year program where students create, complete, and present original STEM research of their interest. Outside of class, Mrs. Stephens enjoys horseback riding and camping with her husband and three children. Her professional interests include research on technology integration and its influence on child and adolescent brain development. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Stephens is a member of the Digital Native Professional Learning Team, and participated in the Safety of Genetically Engineered Food, 3-D Printing and the Statistical Inference mini-courses.

Gregory Stephens

Hastings-On-Hudson Union Free School District

Gregory Stephens earned a BA in Economics and Government at Oberlin College, a MA in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia, a Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook, and an EdD in Educational Leadership from Fordham University. He has been teaching high school mathematics for 26 years, the last 20 at Hastings on Hudson High School where he is the Chair of the Middle and High school Mathematics Departments. He currently teaches Advanced Placement Calculus AB, BC, and two-semester electives: Data Analysis and The Visual Beauty of Mathematics. Strangely, Dr. Stephens graduated from the same high school he teaches in, as have both his kids. He tried to stay away from his hometown, but he and his wife ended up living right across from the school itself, giving him the shortest commute of anyone. Outside of school, Dr. Stephens likes to bicycle, both on the road and on trails, and kayak with his wife. On the professional side, he works on professional development alongside his teaching, running workshops, and facilitating a collegial circle at Putnam Northern Westchester-BOCES. Dr. Stephens has published several articles on mathematics teaching, reviews articles for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and previously served on their editorial board. He is really excited to join the Master Teacher Program and is most looking forward to working with other teachers to build curricular connections across disciplines.

Jason Stevenson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Rhinebeck Central School District

Jason Stevenson earned his B.S. in biochemistry from SUNY Oneonta, and his M.S. in Secondary Science Education from SUNY Albany. Mr. Stevenson teaches Regents and Advanced Placement Chemistry at Rhinebeck High School where he also advises the Science Club. In the past, Mr. Stevenson worked in the Catskill Mountains where he taught Regents Chemistry and Physics, coached Science Olympiad and Tennis, and served as advisor for a STEM program. Mr. Stevenson attends annual science conferences, including STANYS and the College Board's Annual AP Conference for Experienced Teachers, and provides professional development opportunities for fellow educators through the Creative Teacher Education Institute. Mr. Stevenson is fulfilled by guiding his students and watching them succeed. He encourages them to never stop questioning and to research answers to their questions. As a Master Teacher, Jason has participated in a Chemistry PLT and designed a thermo-chemistry competition for middle school girls who attended the Girls Rock STEM event at SUNY New Paltz. He looks forward to collaborating with other educators who share his interest in providing students with even more opportunities to succeed and to be excited about their learning.

Kathryn Stewart

New Paltz Central School District

Kathryn Stewart earned her BA in Philosophy from Carleton College (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Honors in Senior Comprehensives) and her Med in Mathematics from Rutgers University. Ms. Steward danced professionally in Seattle with various modern dance companies, working also as a mathematics tutor. Tutoring, she discovered how much she loved teaching math. After sustaining a career-ending injury, she was granted a research assistant position at Rutgers University. Upon graduation from Rutgers, she received the New Jersey Commissioner’s Distinguished Teacher Candidate Award. Since then, Ms. Stewart has enjoyed more than 20 years of public school teaching. She currently teaches Advanced Placement Calculus and Introduction to Calculus at New Paltz Central High School, where she also coaches the Mathletes Club/Team, acts as Executive Vice-President of the New Paltz United Teachers Union, and is a member of many committees. Ms. Stewart enjoys making math videos for her students and her more than 4500 YouTube followers. She is famous for engaging students in math dances, including the function dance and the derivative dance, among others. When not dancing or doing mathematics, Ms. Stewart enjoys cycling, singing, and walking her rescued greyhounds with her wife. Ms. Stewart is looking forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers and immersing herself in the Master Teacher experience.

Erin Stinson

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Monroe-Woddbury School District

Erin Stinson earned her BA is Education with a concentration in Chemistry from SUNY Geneseo and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton. At Monroe Woodbury High School for the past nine years, Mrs. Stinson teaches many levels of chemistry, including Regents and Honors. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Stinson has coached the Monroe Woodbury Ski Team for seven seasons and is also a member of the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. Mrs. Stinson has greatly enjoyed her first experiences as part of the NYS Master Teacher program. It has been wonderful collaborating with other Master Teachers across the Mid Hudson Valley region. She is most looking forward to another summer trip to the Ashokan Summer Retreat to learn about all the wonderful experiences other STEM teachers are having across NYS.

Amanda Stoddard

Red Hook School District

Amanda Stoddard earned her BA in Public Communications from The College of St. Rose, Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Biology from Bard College, and is professionally certified in both Biology and General Science. As a member of the Irish Ecosystems program, Mrs. Stoddard participated in ecological field work of freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats, and studied the taxonomy of aquatic invertebrates, bryophytes, and native birds throughout Ireland. Additionally, an investigation into the predator-prey relationships among the only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) living in the Shannon estuary in the County Clare afforded her the opportunity to examine the dynamics of predation first hand. In the classroom for nine years, Mrs. Stoddard teaches Physical and Life Science classes at Linden Avenue Middle School, serves as the Chair of a Building Level Team, a shared decision-making entity at the school, co-produces the Charity Lip Sync, and is a member of the Dignity for All Students Act Committee. Mrs. Stoddard also chairs the annual Engineer's Day event, and was an Armada Project mentee through the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Stoddard looks forward to participating in the upcoming mini-courses on Evolution and Authentic Research.

Marianne Strayton

Clarkstown Central School District

Marianne Strayton earned her BA in elementary education and psychology from Saint Michael's College, her MS in elementary science, focusing on STEM from Iona College, and her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teacher College, Columbia University. Dr. Strayton has been the recipient of several awards due to her scholarship, impact, and service, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), Rockland County's Forty Under Forty, and the Katherine Fairbacks Award. Dr. Strayton has been teaching in Clarkstown Central School District since 1999. During that time she has served a classroom teacher, enrichment teacher, math & science coordinator, and currently serves as a math interventionist at Woodglen Elementary School. She is currently the President-Elect for the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State and President of Ten County Mathematics Educators Association. Dr. Strayton is an active volunteer with her church community. This role includes participating in youth ministry events and summer service learning trips to domestic and international locations. During the pandemic, she began learning to play the flute, and has been enjoying it ever since! Dr. Strayton has also gained many insights into her students by taking the role of a true novice. She recently took part in her first concert, alongside her seventh grade nephew and fourth grade niece, and Dr. Strayton is eager for their next concert! Marianne is looking forward to all the rich opportunities to collaborate with educators across the region and state.

Aileen Toback

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Aileen C. Toback earned her BA in Biology and Psychology from SUNY at Albany, MS in Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology, and Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. In the classroom for 18 years, Mrs. Toback teaches science, and serves as Science Department Liaison, Science Fair Coordinator, School Leadership Team Chairperson, and Science Curriculum Chair at Heritage Middle School. At Mount Saint Mary College, she is an Adjunct Professor and Forensic Science Instructor in the Excelsior Scholars Program. Past accolades include the "Outstanding Teacher Leader Recognition" by the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and the "Outstanding Science Teacher Award" from the National Science Teachers Association. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Toback participated in the Geo-Science of Hydro-fracturing mini course and is developing an Inquiry-Based Lab Writing workshop. Her favorite part of teaching STEM is when students experience the "A-ha moment," when everything they have worked on makes sense to them, and they realize that they came to the answers on their own. Mrs. Toback she is looking forward to the Middle School Professional Learning Team's first STEM day for girls, Girls Rock STEM!, in April 2016.

Thomas Tokarski

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Greenburgh Central School District

Thomas Tokarski earned his BA in Biology from Western Connecticut State University, and his MA in Secondary Science Education from City College of New York. Prior to teaching, Mr. Tokarski worked as an Environmental Specialist for various development projects throughout New York and Florida. Since 2001, he has taught Earth Science and Advanced Placement Environmental Science at Woodlands MS/HS. Mr. Tokarski is the departmental Lead Teacher, and Coach for the Varsity boys and Modified girls tennis teams. He also serves on the district-wide Science, and Science Extravaganza Committees, and is the Secondary Vice President for the Teacher's Union. He is an active member of the Science Teacher's Association of NYS (STANYS), and the New York Chapter of the National Earth Science Teacher's Association (NYESTA). Mr. Tokarski previously completely the Hudson Valley STEM Leadership Teaching Fellowship through NASA and Teacher's College/Columbia University, and is currently a fellow on several projects in conjunction with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Mr. Tokarski is passionate about getting his students to be inquisitive and ask questions. He believes that curiosity, in any field, promotes wonder which leads to informed decision-making. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Tokarski is looking forward to the professional collaboration of like-minded teachers as they further develop their craft.

Stefanie Trapani

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Highland Central School District

Stefanie Trapani earned both her B.S. in Adolescence Mathematics and M.S. Ed in Mathematics Education from SUNY New Paltz. Currently, she is enrolled in an M.A. in Learning and Emerging Technologies program through Empire State College. Mrs. Trapani teaches Common Core Geometry and College Pre-Calculus, and co-teaches Regents Physics at Highland High School. Outside the classroom, she is a Mathletes advisor and member of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team. Mrs. Trapani has attended and presented at the Ten County Mathematics Education Association Conference and the NYS Association for Computers and Technologies in Education Conference. A "Flipped Classroom" workshop she attended a few years ago sparked her interest in facilitating a blended-learning classroom where she continually incorporates a variety of STEM components into daily activities. Since becoming a Master Teacher, Stephanie has attended a Coding with Python workshop, explored bridge engineering at Bear Mountain, and helped facilitate Sparki Robot sessions at a Girls Rock STEM event. Mrs. Trapani looks forward to continuing to grow professionally and to learning about best practices she can bring to her classroom and share with her colleagues.

Juan Urena

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Juan Urena earned his BA in Biology from Queens College and his Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from SUNY New Paltz. Mr. Urena has been in the classroom 16 years, and he teaches 8^th grade physical science at Heritage Middle School in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. A strong advocate of instilling in children a love for learning, he builds students scientific literacy and appreciation for their environment, their individual knowledge, skills and disposition, through inquiry exploration and discovery. His professional interest is in the field of epigenetics and its application for the diagnosis, treatment, and/ or cure of cancer. His current projects include diligently working with other teachers to vertically align middle school science for the Newburgh district, with the expectation of improving the instruction quality students receive. Recently, Mr. Urena was named a New York State Master Teacher in the fall of 2013.

Ernest VanderKruik

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Florida Union Free School District

Ernest VanderKruik earned his BS and MS in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Later, he went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University. In the classroom for 15 years, Mr. VanderKruik teaches Living Environment and General Biology at the S. S. Seward Institute. A strong advocate for inquiry-based learning and scientific investigation, he involves his students in mycobacteriophage research through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, has established a Science Research Club at his school and has led a team of students through successful participation in the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam program, a competition in which teams of students invent technological solutions to real-world problems of their own choosing, sponsored by MIT's School of Engineering. The team designed, built and tested a portable solar-powered autoclave to sterilize medical instruments in places without electricity. Within the NYS Master Teacher Program, Mr. VanderKruik has participated in the Measuring Global Climate Change and TheSafety of Genetically Engineered Food mini-courses, was the facilitator of "Teaching to the Introverted Student," and presenter of the "Use of Manipulatives in the Biology Classroom" workshops. As a result of the NYS Master Teacher Program, he has shared ideas and projects with colleagues and has more enthusiasm for teaching.

Mark VanHorne

Spackenkill Union Free School District

Mark VanHorne earned his BA in Mathematics from SUNY Geneseo and MS in Mathematics Education from SUNY Brockport. Mr. VanHorne spent 16 years teaching high school students in the Finger Lakes region before moving to Spackenkill High School where he serves as the 6-12 Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator for the district. He primarily teaches honors-level versions of Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Advanced Placement Calculus and is an active participant in the district’s mentoring program for teachers new to the district. In his longstanding role as an adjunct instructor for local community colleges, Mr. VanHorne also enjoys working with non-traditional students to overcome their deep-seated fears of mathematics. Outside of the classroom, he has connected with his students as their class advisor, chaperone, tutor, and biggest fan. Mr. VanHorne is thankful for this opportunity to continue to learn from his many talented colleagues throughout the region.

Mary Velez

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Wappingers School District

Mary Velez, a teacher of mathematics at Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, attended the United States Naval Academy before leaving to earn her BA in Psychology and MSEd in Counseling Psychology from St. Bonaventure University. While her teaching career began unexpectedly in 2002, she has always been teaching. In grade school, "teaching" was helping anyone who tried to say they didn't "get" math. In college she expanded to science, when she lived in Alabama to start breaking horses. When she finally stepped into the classroom she loved it, earning her teaching certification in January 2004 and National Board certification in 2010. Ms. Vélez has taught every course through Algebra 2, and currently teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics, AP BC Calculus, Honors Algebra 2, and Honors Geometry. Ms. Vélez is involved with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), as part of a regional planning committee, and is currently on the 2019 San Diego Annual Meeting planning committee. She attended the Park City Math Institute twice and considers those experiences the ultimate in developing as a professional. An avid outdoor enthusiast and sports lover, she recently completed a hike to the summit of Mt. Washington, NH and a 5-day cycling tour of Tuscany. She spends her free time learning to refinish a house. She is excited to work with the like-minded teachers in the Master Teacher Program and bring math to life for more students.

Andrea Victor

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

Andrea Victor earned her B.S. in Geology from the College of William & Mary and M.S. in Geology at the University of Delaware, concentrating on Estuarine Studies. Prior to teaching Ms. Victor worked as a project geologist with an environmental consulting firm providing clients with groundwater and soil testing for real estate and litigation. Andrea has been teaching a range of Earth and Environmental sciences for 20 years at F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, NY. Throughout her career, she has been interested in writing to learn. Having trained with the Mid-Hudson Writing Program and Bard's Institute for Writing and Thinking, she strives to bring rich and novel writing experiences to her students. Outside of school, Ms. Victor rows on an adult crew team and has recently started coaching girls' novice crew at her high school. Being on the river daily provides a unique opportunity to mix her love of science and sport. As a Master Teacher, Andrea intends to involve her students in conducting authentic scientific research with an eye toward communicating science to the general public.

Jennifer Villani

White Plains City School District

Jennifer Villani earned her BA in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Concordia College New York, and her MA in Secondary Biology Education from CUNY Hunter College. She has her NYS Certification in Biology for grades 7-12 and her Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration. Mrs. Villani is a member of the NYS Science Teachers Association as well as the National Science Teachers Association. She started her teaching career in the NYC school system and after 10 years, she moved to the White Plains Central School District. While in the NYC school system Mrs. Villani taught middle school science, Living Environment, Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science, and AP Biology. She served as a Teacher Leader and the chairperson of the science department. Currently, Mrs. Villani teaches Living Environment at White Plains High School. In her free time, she loves reading, teaching and practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband and son. As a NYS Master Teacher Mrs. Villani is looking forward to the opportunity to network and collaborate with other Master Teachers. She is excited to learn new techniques and strategies that will enrich her classroom instruction to support her students as critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Samuel Washington

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Greenburgh Central School District

Samuel Washington, Jr. earned his BA in sociology, BS in biology from Binghamton University, MS in Secondary Education from Mercy College, and is currently working on a graduate certificate in STEM Leadership through NASA and Teachers College, Columbia University, as part of the Hudson Valley STEM Teaching Fellowship. In the classroom for 20 years, Mr. Washington teaches Advance Placement Biology, Biology Honors, Anatomy and Physiology, Living Environment, Science Research, and Environmental Science at Woodlands High School. He founded and coaches the Academic Challenge Team, the Manhood Program, Varsity Bowling, JV Volleyball, and Modified Girls Soccer teams. Mr. Washington is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the Science Teacher Association of NYS, for which he is on the Executive Board for the Westchester/Bronx section. Past awards include the Marine Education Fellowship from the Ecology Project International and the School Woodland Ecosystem Study Project Fellowship from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Mr. Washington is very active in many community organizations including the National Pan Hellenic Council, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the African-American Men of Westchester, and Fathers and Children Together,but his true pride remains with his three sons. As a Master Teacher, Mr. Washington is of member of the Student Engagement Professional Learning Team.

Tracey Waters

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Warwick Valley School District

Tracey Waters earned her BS in biology with a minor in chemistry from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN and her MS in microbiology and immunology from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Prior to teaching, she worked as an Associate Research Scientist for Schering-Plough Corporation in NJ for over eight years. In the classroom for 13 years, Ms. Waters teaches Life Science at Warwick Valley Middle School. She is Director of "Camp Invention," a STEM-related summer camp for kids entering 1st - 6th grade, and a member of the Student Engagement and STEAM Fair Committees. She believes that developing relationships with her students is a vital component to their engagement in learning. In her first year as a NYS Master Teacher, she co-presented for her peers, led a cohort meeting, and presented at the recent 2015 Annual Professional Development Conference. She is a member of the Student Engagement Professional Learning Team (PLT), Middle School Science PLT, and a Problem-Based Learning PLT: "I am honored to be a member of such a talented group of educators and I am inspired by the high energy shared by these educators to make a difference in education".

Eszter Weisz

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Byram Hills Central School District

Eszter Weisz earned her BA in mathematics and teaching English as a Second Language and MA in Mathematics at Eotvos Lorand University of the Sciences in Budapest, Hungary. She arrived to NYC through an exchange program to serve as a public high school teacher. She worked in NYC for 13 years and recently relocated to Westchester where she currently teaches Algebra2/Trigonometry and PreCalculus at Byram Hills High School. She was previously a member of Math for America in NYC and joined the Mid-Hudson cohort in 2014. She won two travel grants to study mathematics education in China and to retrace the steps of ancient mathematicians in Italy and Greece. She was also the three-time recipient of a grant provided by Pace University to lead inquiry-based activities in the classroom. Mrs. Weisz was the co-facilitator of the Algebra2/Trig Professional Learning Team (PLT) at Math for America in NYC. She has recently joined the same PLT in the Mid-Hudson cohort where she is looking forward to inspiration from all the wonderful techniques her peers employ. In her free time, Mrs. Weisz enjoys long distance running and learning languages. During her college years, she translated a book of math puzzles from English to Hungarian.

Lyndsey Wells

Wappingers Central School District

Lyndsey Wells earned her BS in Childhood Education and MS in STEM Education from SUNY New Paltz. In the field of education for nine years, Ms. Wells currently teaches fourth grade math and science and is a FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Coach. Her dedication to natural curiosity and genuine feedback has enabled her to take educational risks, understand failure as an inevitable, iterative process crucial to her own learning, and to develop a deep appreciation for inquiry that supports the development of a growth mindset. This outlook ignites her pedagogical practices as she directly empathizes with students who feel anxious to engage with content that exposes the multitude of current world crisis situations. Ms. Wells has led multiple district-wide 3D printing projects in grades 4-12, most notably, “The Helping Hands Project”, connecting students to industry professionals through an international, open source, organization, that builds prosthetic hands for children and adults around the world. As an advocate for digital humanitarianism, Ms. wells aspires to connect advanced technological industry skills to elementary mathematics and science education, with the goal of inspiring a diverse population of youth to use design thinking as a way to collectively create a better future.

Heather Wheeler

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hyde Park Central School District

Heather Wheeler earned her BS in Chemistry from SUNY Geneseo, MSEd from SUNY New Paltz, and was awarded the Outstanding Science Teacher Award in Chemistry for the Southeastern section of Science Teachers Association of NYS in 2010. In the classroom for nine years, she teaches Advanced Placement Chemistry, Regents Chemistry, Introduction to Chemistry, and Consumer Chemistry at FDR High School in Hyde Park. For the last six years, Ms. Wheeler has also been an adjunct instructor at SUNY New Paltz, teaching General Chemistry Labs I and II. As a teacher consultant for the Hudson Valley Writing Project, Ms. Wheeler has been participating in and providing high quality professional development workshops for 5 years. She has also worked with Empire State Writing Project Network in collaboration with the Literacy Design Collaborative. A strong advocate for inquiry-based, student-centered learning, Ms. Wheeler designs laboratory activities that require students to work together and apply science concepts in order to meet challenges and solve problems. Albert Einstein once said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." Ms. Wheeler strives to inspire curiosity that will linger after the last bell and encourages her students to keep asking questions and learn from their mistakes.

Rosemarie Wisneski

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Kingston School District

Rosemarie Wisneski earned her BA in Elementary Education with a minor in math from SUNY New Paltz and MS in Literacy Education from SUNY New Paltz. She is certified in Secondary Mathematics, Elementary Education, and Literacy Education, and has been teaching middle school secondary mathematics for nine years at M. Clifford Miller Middle School. She originally went to school to become an elementary education teacher, and soon developed a passion for secondary math. For her district, she is the Middle Level Math Liaison, has served as the Math Olympiad Coach, and served on the Parental Advisory Committee at the YWCA of Ulster County. One of her passions is relating math to her hobbies, crocheting and quilting. As a Middle School Math teacher, she is driven by her passion to instill a deep understanding of mathematics in others. As a NYS Master Teacher she is looking forward to collaborating with teachers across the state and co-designing professional development with her peers.

Kathryn Whittaker

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Red Hook Central School District

Kathryn Whittaker earned her BS cum laude in Meteorology from SUNY Oneonta where she received the Caputo Award for excellence in the meteorology program and Master of Science in Teaching in 7-12 Earth Science from Pace University, where she received the top department award for academic achievement. She began her professional career as a broadcast meteorologist before working in the private sector for three years. Ms. Whittaker was inspired to become a teacher in 2008 by her mother and many other amazing educators. She is currently an Earth Science and Astronomy teacher at Red Hook High School. She is involved in many activities including Science Teachers Association of NYS, her school's Building Level Team, advising Student Council, freelance forensic meteorologist, and broadcast meteorologist on the school news. Ms. Whittaker is passionate about learning and teaching, embracing the opportunity to do both throughout a lifetime. Her hobbies include hiking as a Catskill 3500 and Adirondack 46er aspirant, snowboarding, and rock climbing. She often jokes that anyone joining her in these activities receive free Earth Science lessons along the way. As a NYS Master Teacher, she looks forward to collaborating with fellow Master Teachers, inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, and participating in the outstanding courses and Professional Learning Teams.

Jeffrey Wuebber

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

New Rochelle School District

Jeff Wuebber earned his BS in Secondary Education in Earth and Space Science from Penn State University, and MA in Secondary Science Education at Teacher's College, Columbia University. In addition, Mr. Wuebber completed three summers in Columbia University's Summer Research Program for Science Teachers. As part of the program, he spent two summers at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory researching U/Pb dating of zircon from the Cortlandt Complex, and spent a third summer at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia researching speleothems from Africa's Cradle of Humankind to determine paleoclimate data. Mr. Wuebber has taught for six years at New Rochelle High School, and currently teaches Regents Earth Science and the Dinosaurs elective class. He also directs the Science Research Program and is the Advisor to the nationally-competitive Academic Team. Mr. Wuebber is passionate about travelling and along the way has collected rock samples from almost 30 countries and six continents. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Wuebber plans to learn and to share new pedagogical practices from his esteemed colleagues so that his students are better able to understand and appreciate the amazing world they live in.

Victoria Yerkes

Washingtonville Central School District

Victoria Yerkes Victoria Yerkes earned a dual BA in Biology and Chemistry from Ural Pedagogical University in Chelyabinsk, Russia, MA in Teaching from SUNY New Paltz, and Advanced Certificate in Literacy Education grades 5-12 from Long Island University. Mrs. Yerkes grew up in Eastern Russia near the mineralogical nature preserve (Ilmenskiy National State Park) where she was inspired to pursue her education in science. During her undergrad, she traveled through Russia, and the U.S. and worked with children of various ages as a counselor in the summer camps programs. She moved to the U.S. to continue pursuing her passion for science and science education. In her 15 years at Washingtonville High School, Ms. Yerkes has taught Regents Chemistry, Enriched Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Oceanography, and Living Environment. She also designed and developed an elective evening academy course, Kitchen Chemistry. Mrs. Yerkes is an active member of the American Chemical Society and National Science Teacher Associations. She finds inspiration for her lessons through connections between cooking and chemistry. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Yerkes enjoys studying piano and cooking using molecular gastronomy techniques. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Yerkes is looking forward to participating in the workshops that investigate and explore techniques to meet the needs of diverse learners as well as how to enhance the pre-service teachers' experience.

Alan Zollner

MASTER TEACHER EMERITUS

Hendrick Hudson Central School District

Alan Zollner earned his AS in Engineering Science from SUNY Dutchess, BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and MS in Adolescence Education from Mount Saint Mary College. Mr. Zollner entered teaching as second career through IBM's Transition-to-Teaching program. As a Senior Engineer he used STEM skills and content knowledge on a daily basis. He found inspiration for teaching by mentoring new engineers, developing employee courses, and volunteering in his community. Mr. Zollner began teaching full time in 2010, and currently teaches Regents Physics and Project Lead The Way Engineering courses at Hendrick Hudson High School. He is a member of his District's Community Partnership Team and advises students on engineering education options. Mr. Zollner is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, National Science Teachers Association, American Modeling Teachers Association, and STEMTeachersNYC. He is passionate about empowering students to think critically and rise to the challenges of the 21st century. He is particularly interested in Physics Education Research and Modeling Instruction. He enjoys hiking and kayaking in the Hudson Valley, international travel, and helps run a non-profit organization. He is looking forward to learning together with other teachers committed to sharing what works well in education.