WG Teacher Kudos 2008

WGTA members have made numerous contributions that benefit the West Genesee children, the school district, and the local community.

On September 1st WGTA volunteers staffed the NYSUT booth at the New York State Fair. The WGTA volunteers were Thersa Mosey, Kristen Czaplicki, Bonnie Young, Marcia and Pat Ranieri, Pat Andino, Margie Thiele, Lisa Tamiso and Julie Lodge.

nysut

WGTA members Lisa Tamiso (left) and Julie Lodge (right) helped staff the NYSUT booth at the Great New York State Fair!

Kudos to The West Genesee "Language Other Than English (L.O.T.E.) Department" for receiving the James E. Allen Statewide Award from the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers on Nov. 14 at the LECNY-NYSAFLT Regional Conference.

This award recognizes and honors outstanding foreign language programs throughout New York State. One school district or school within each of NYSAFLT’s ten regions can be selected annually for the award. The selection committee takes into account the size of the district, number of languages offered, number of students taking languages, extra-curricular programs, public relations, teacher participation at local and state professional events, etc.

(Pictured below: Abbe Guillet and Susan Barnes from NYSAFLT along with WG LOTE teachers and high school administrators: Kathleen Wagner, Paige Gardner, Aileen Pawloski, Michael Caraccio, Mary LeClerc, Marcia Ranieri, Sarah DeCapio, Robert Manipole, Theresa Mosey, Jennifer Roethel, Angela Flynn, Margaret Lerner, and Lisa Tamiso.) Photo reprinted with permission.

December 2009

Two WG Teachers Win Educator of Excellence Award
by Ellen Miller

Kudos to West Genesee High School science teacher Craig Dowler and West Genesee Middle School science teacher Rick Chapman for earning the Greater CNY Education Consortium's Philip Martin Award as an Educator of Excellence at the 17th Annual Professional Partnerships Conference at the OnCenter in Syracuse.

Kudos to West Genesee Middle School Physical Education Teacher Janine Corning for garnering the 2009 NYS Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYSAHPERD) Central North Zone Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award.

We’ve all heard it: West Genesee is one of the best communities for music education in the United States. Our band, orchestra and choral programs are unsurpassed in the area. The driving force behind these quality programs is the elite group we know as West Genesee music teachers. And while we know they give hours of their time working with students outside of school, you may not know that many of them are involved in their own musical endeavors as musicians in their own right.

Andy Perry, band director at WGHS and instrumental music teacher at CMS and WGHS, has been co-conducting The Central Winds; a Music Educators’ Wind Ensemble for the last nine years. The band, made up of music educators from Central New York, prepares three to four concerts a year.

“Being involved as a conductor has truly challenged me to become better. As a result, my own teaching and conducting here at WG has improved immensely,” said Perry.

“The responsibility is large and the pressure to perform is all there. I get better every year as a result of this adult band,” Perry said. The band was chosen to perform at this year’s Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic held in Chicago.

Choral music teachers Don Schuessler and Christy Niedermaier Knowlton serve as music directors in the community as well. Schuessler, CMS music teacher and chorus director, is the associate conductor of the Syracuse University Oratorio Society and a member of the Syracuse Pops Chorus. In addition, he performs as a church musician at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Camillus.

Knowlton, WGMS music teacher and chorus director, serves as the music director at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She also has a private lesson studio of about 20 students, teaching piano and voice.

KUDOS to Sue Bingham, 6th grade math teacher at WGMS, who was just accepted to the basic Honeywell educators at space program. The basic program provides teachers with new and innovative teaching strategies to educate students about math and science. Topics include engineering, science and technology. Sue will attend the program in June.

Andrew Perry - Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Outstanding Music Educator of the Year in Instrumental Music-Band.
by Ellen Miller

Kudos to Andrew Perry, instrumental music teacher at CMS and WGHS and director of the high school Wind Ensemble since 1987, for being selected winner of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Outstanding Music Educator of the Year in Instrumental Music- Band.

Perry was nominated by students, parents, colleagues, and administrators for this highly coveted and competitive award. He was recognized by the Syracuse Symphony during its concert on May 15.

Kudos to WGTA webmaster and retired teacher Lynn Davis for garnering a First Place Award in a national competition sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers Communications Network. This is the 11th national win in 12 years for the website!

And another well-deserved KUDOS to Davis for winning an Award of Merit in the NYSUT Journalism Competition sponsored by the New York State United Teachers. This is the sixth such award in seven years for the website!