conference

Ancient Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

For some, like middle school teacher Kathy Greene, that single step has been taken each September for the past 35 years. For others, including the dozens of new teachers and staff members entering the district, that journey begins today.

Board of Education President Melinda Spooner kicked off day one of our Superintendent's Conference days welcoming our staff to the 2024-2025 school year. "The impact you make is immeasurable," said Spooner, to a packed auditorium.

auditorium

Along with the more than 50 new teachers and staff members joining Spartan Country, Superintendent of Schools Jason Van Fossen welcomed new district and building leadership, including Michele Osterhout, Middle School Principal, Megan Ferry, Middle School Associate Principal, Kara Mallery, Homer Brink Principal, Stacey Hanna, Homer Brink Associate Principal, and Vince Briga, Community Relations Coordinator.

Mr. Van Fossen then took time to celebrate a number of significant milestones achieved by our hardworking staff.

shaking hands

Leading the honorees was middle school teacher Kathy Greene, who was recognized for her 35 years of service at Maine-Endwell. Twelve others were acknowledged for 25 years of service in the district, including Sheila Cordi, a teacher's aide at the high school, Lynn Coughlin, senior typist at Maine Memorial, Bill Dundon, Maine Memorial Principal, Marla Gorton, a teacher at Maine Memorial, Fran Kaminsky, a teacher at the high school, Marisa Maney, a counselor at the middle school, Karen McAndrew, a teaching assistant at the high school, Maureen Mihalko, a teacher at the middle school, Catherine Rowlands, a teacher's aide at Maine Memorial, Kellie Smith, a teacher at Maine Memorial, Debra Takacs, head cook at the high school, and Duane Titus, a teacher at the high school.

Mr. Van Fossen then took time to recognize our latest Distinguished Teachers, including Susan Buckley, Catherine DeLuca, Andrew Krise, Maggie McCoy and Thomas Natale from Homer Brink, Tracey Buckley, John Pufky, James Tokos and Jay Zunic from Maine Memorial, Benjamin Amorese, Carrie Chesna, Michael Lurenz and Rachel Murat from the high school, and David Buchak, John Frieser, Matthew Simek and William Underwood from the middle school. Each individual was voted in by their peers.

claire

Claire Hackett, a high school English teacher then presented the Maine-Endwell Teachers Association Golden Apple Award to Patti Sergent. Sergent is a speech therapist at the middle school, and President of the Maine-Endwell Teachers' Association. She first joined the district in 2001 and spent time teaching in an 8:1:1. The 2024 Golden Apple Award winner was chosen for continuously working to make sure everyone has fair treatment and equitable working conditions, along with her dedication to children. Sergent first found her calling for teaching when a non-verbal student asked her to read to him. Seeing the joy in his eyes, she was hooked, and never looked back.

vanfossen

Closing out the morning presentation, Mr. Van Fossen unveiled the goal of the 2024-2025 school year: The Power of Momentum. Our collective goal within the district is to propel and embed the work of a Professional Learning Community through a critical mass of people understanding the purpose and value of the work.

Our team goals for 2024-2025 include:

  1. Keep 'finding your why' - have an answer when someone asks

  2. Find the discipline to keep momentum moving forward

If a student walked up to you and asked the following question, "Why do you teach (or work in education?)

What would your answer be?

Over the course of the school year, we will continue our work as a Professional Learning Community (PLC)

"Here's to a year filled with growth, inspiration and the profound joy that comes with making a difference."