Carissa Sugar is thrilled to be teaching general music and chorus at Huth Road Elementary School. She is a proud alumni of Huth and a product of the Grand Island CSD Music Department. Upon graduating from GIHS in 2006, Mrs. Sugar went on to attend SUNY Fredonia and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in vocal/general music. While obtaining a Master's Degree in Music Education at the University at Buffalo she served as a graduate assistant and completed research in early childhood music education. In 2012, Mrs. Sugar moved to Massachusetts to teach music at an elementary school south of Boston. She served as the music teacher at Freetown Elementary School for 8 years where she was also appointed the District K-5 Unified Arts Curriculum Leader. As a Google Certified Educator, Mrs. Sugar has provided professional development in Google Apps for Education. Although she loved her position in Boston, Buffalo has always been home and Mrs. Sugar was thrilled to return to WNY with her family in 2020 to begin her journey teaching on Grand Island. Since then she has enjoyed teaching general music, conducting the three Huth Road Choruses as well directing the Talent Show and Summer Musical Theater Camp. In her free time, Mrs. Sugar loves spending time with her husband (Rob) and kids (Rosie and Theo), going to see musicals and cheering on the Bufflo Bills!
Craig Poissant is currently in his 16th year at Huth Road Elementary. He holds a M.M. in Saxophone Performance from Ithaca College and a B.M. in Music Education from SUNY College at Fredonia. At Huth Road, Mr. Poissant's combined 4th and 5th grade bands perform extensively throughout the year and has, for all 13 years of its participation, earned Gold and Gold with Distinction at the NYS School Music Association’s Major Organization Festivals. Mr. Poissant has presented at several state and local music conferences, including the 2020 NYS Band Directors Symposium in Syracuse, the 2018 NYS School Music Association’s Winter Conference in Rochester, the NYS Band Directors Association’s Region 1 Conference Day, and the Erie County Music Educators Association’s Conference Day for Music Educators. As a mentor, Mr. Poissant has regularly hosted student teachers from local colleges, each of which have moved on to successful careers as educators in local public schools and colleges. In 2018, he was awarded the State University College at Buffalo's "Instrumental Band Teacher of the Year" and in 2020, he was awarded the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Award for Excellence in Music Education”. Mr. Poissant currently resides in Clarence with his wife, Carrie, and children, Cecelia, and Christopher.
