After graduating from OCS in 1989, Mrs. Mann earned her BS in biology from Utica College and earned her MS in Reading Education from SUNY Cortland, completed a Leadership Academy at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, became a NYS Master Teacher (Emeritus) and achieved National Board Certification AYA Physics from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. 

Mrs. Mann has considered it a privilege to teach science at Oriskany Central School for over three decades. She is currently teaching Regents Physics, Regents Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and Physical Science.  Additionally, she has taught OCC Physics 103 dual enrollment, Physics 151 Lab and Physics 152 Lab at Utica College, and Educational Psychology at Utica College. 

Mrs. Mann is fascinated by cognitive science and feels strongly that the study of cognitive science should become a much more significant part of teacher preparation programs. Interestingly, she has noticed remarkable parallels between the thinking necessary to write a computer program and the thinking necessary to process and learn new concepts. Her improved understanding of the types of experiences that support effective learning has helped Mrs. Mann to continuously improve the practices and procedures that ensure a healthy and productive learning environment, effective lesson design and effective assessment practices.   She believes that many students have experienced classroom practices and procedures that reward compliance and rote memorization while unintentionally, discouraging the very behaviors that support learning. For many students, this has resulted in negative experiences, a loss of confidence and even a loss of hope. Over the past several years, Mrs. Mann has used evidence from cognitive science research to support every procedure, practice and strategy employed in the classroom. She has shared the evidence that supports each decision with students. This work has been tremendously rewarding as it has restored hope for many students. Mrs.Mann is grateful to have opportunities to continue learning and improving so that she can experience the joy that accompanies student growth and achievement.