Embedded Files
2023 Summer Workshop Presenters
Listed alphabetically by last name
Kimberly Alexander (She/Her/Hers) earned her BS in Biology- Environmental Studies and MSEd in Middle Childhood and Adolescent Education from Niagara University. In the classroom for five years, she currently teaches 7th Grade General Science. At Lewiston-Porter Middle School, she is a member of the Restorative Practices Team and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Liaison. Additionally, she is a member of the Crew Committee which develops social and emotional learning curriculum for the middle school’s Crew class. The Crew Committee is most fulfilling as it dovetails with much of her independent research and scholarship. Miss Alexander is the co-author of three published articles and one book, with multiple other projects currently underway, and an active member of the Science Teachers Association of New York State. In her free time, Miss Alexander loves rock climbing, hiking, and traveling to national parks. Initially exposed to the Master Teacher Program when she took physics classes at SUNY Buffalo State, Miss Alexander is honored to be joining the program that significantly shaped her educational journey. She is looking forward to deepening her STEM knowledge through mini-courses and sharing her passion for STEM and social and emotional learning with practicing and pre-service teachers.
Dr. Gifty Asamani is a certified 6 - 12 General Science Educator with the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE). She is a STEM Education Scientist and a Bioinformatician. Dr. Asamani holds an MPhil and a PhD in Science Education from Columbia University (CU) and Teachers College Columbia University respectively. She also holds a master's degree in Medical Informatics from CU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus. Dr. Asamani is an Assistant Professor of STEM education at Hunter College and Teachers College Columbia University. She teaches culturally relevant/responsive, diversity, and inclusion STEM education strategies and methodologies to pre-service graduate students. For 18 years, she has taught Living Environment, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Earth Science and Introduction to Scientific Research at School For Excellence High School (SFE), a Title 1 public school in the South Bronx, NYC. Dr. Asamani incorporates Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Poetry/Arts into her classroom science lessons. For the past seventeen years, she has served as the Science Department Chair and a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and the 4-member Principal Cabinet Team at SFE where she collaborates with the team to devise school wide solutions to ensure that all students are learning. Dr. Asamani has partnered with several nonprofit organizations like: Rockefeller University Science Outreach, Cold Spring Harbor Harlem DNA Lab, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, NYC H20, and the BioBus, where she visits with her students to be exposed to practical hands-on-science activities not readily available on campus. Dr. Asamani is a STEM Instructional Mentor and a NYC DOE Peer Collaborative Teacher – who supports instructional practices and facilitates professional developments. She is affiliated with the external educational division of the United Federation of Teachers where she facilitates professional developments for teachers and paraprofessionals seeking Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits. Prior to becoming a classroom educator, Dr. Asamani worked as a Research Assistant at the Columbia Genome Center for over seven years. Dr. Asamani's research interest is centered on Diversity, Inclusion, Women in Science, and Urban Black and Brown girls in STEM education. She utilizes critical race theory, hiphop pedagogy, Pygmalion effect, culturally relevant pedagogy and Black feminist thought to guide her research. She has presented her research work at the American Educational Research Association (AERA), American Science Teacher Education (ASTE), North East Regional American Science Teacher Education (NEASTE), Math for America MT2, and Teachers College Columbia University Hip-Hop Education Conference. Her continued dedication to education has won her numerous accolades including a 2020 -21 Astor International Fellowship, New York University; a Math for America Master Teacher fellowship, and last but not the least, a New York State Master Teacher Fellowship distinction. She was recently chosen as a member of New York State Reopening of Schools Regional Task Force, 2020. She currently serves as a board member of the nonprofit group, Kechie's Project, Inc. Dr. Asamani is looking forward to co-facilitating a mini course on Diversity, Race and Gender Intersectionalities at MfA in the Fall of 2020. Dr. Asamani is married with two sons. In her leisure time, she likes to watch or attend sporting events (especially soccer) with her family. She loves dancing, travelling and spending leisure times with friends and family. Dr. Asamani is honored to be a part of such an innovative group of teachers and she is looking forward to collaborate with master teachers across the great state of New York and beyond.
Jennifer Aumer (She/Her/Hers) earned both her BS and MS from SUNY Buffalo State and holds professional certification in Mathematics 7-12 and Childhood Education grades 1-6. Her MS in Education is in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Aumer was in the All College Honors Program while attending Buffalo State, was on the Dean's list, earned the Norma Toelsin Payne Scholarship and Buffalo Business and Professional Women's Scholarship (2004). She was a Collegiate All-American Scholar (2004), Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2005), earned the Outstanding Undergraduate in Elementary Education Award (2005), and participated in the Student Research and Creativity Celebration in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Mrs. Aumer has been teaching since 2006 and currently teaches Math 6 and Math 8 at Maryvale Middle School. During her career she has also taught courses in Algebra and Statistics at Maryvale High School and RTI math groups at Maryvale Primary and Intermediate Schools. She is the Pre-K through Grade 6 Mathematics Coordinator and the advisor for the STEM girls club that she started in 2019. She is a member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of NYS. Mrs. Aumer has participated in the Mathematical Landscapes courses and Algebra Strings with Dr. Kara Imm which has inspired and enhanced her teaching to include differentiation and small group instruction. She plans to take part in the Building Mathematical Minds PLT, as well as the DESMOS PLT and looks forward to learning new practices that can be implemented into her teaching.
Scott Beiter (He,Him,His) earned his BA in Biology from Hartwick College and MS in Science Teaching and Curriculum Development and in Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany. Mr. Beiter has been in the classroom for 17 years and currently teaches 8th grade physical science, living environment lab, and high school physics. Mr. Beiter has been the head of the technology committee at Rensselaer City School District for over 10 years. Outside the classroom, Mr. Beiter has coached the modified wrestling team for 15 years and is the advisor for the district Gaming and Esports Club. He is interested in cognitive learning science and games in education. He leads the Gaming PLT and streams at twitch.tv/sciencestreams. He has conducted professional development on games-based learning, screencasting, and esports. He is in constant search of ways to make science more fun and accessible to students. As a NYS Master Teacher, Scott looks forward to networking with educators and learning from the myriad professional development opportunities available.
Josie Cain (She, Her, Hers) 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.
Jeffery Cheramie (He, Him, His) earned his BS in Biological Sciences from Louisiana Tech University, Advanced Certificate in Forensic Anthropology from Mercyhurst College, his Secondary Science Certification from Roberts Wesleyan College, and his Administrative Certification from the Warner School of Education. Mr. Cheramie has been a science educator for the past 14 years at Palmyra Macedon High School, and has taught a number of different courses ranging from Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Level science courses to locally designed electives. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Cheramie is the head chaperone for the Boys Soccer Games, a Science Olympiad Coach, and is planning his first student ecological outing to Costa Rica during the summer of 2016. In his free time, Mr. Cheramie is an avid woodworker. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Cheramie looks forward to collaborating with other Master Teachers to augment both his content and pedagogical knowledge as well as serve as a resource to novice STEM teachers.
Brianne Corsette (She, Her, Hers) earned her BS in Special Education with Elementary Certification from SUNY Geneseo, and additional certifications in Mathematics for grades 7 - 12 with an extension for grades 5 - 9 from coursework completed at Onondaga Community College and SUNY Cortland. She completed her MS in Education at LeMoyne College. Working with students for 20 years, Mrs. Corsette currently teaches data science and provides Math Academic Intervention Services for Math 8, Algebra 1 and Geometry to special education and ELL students at Cazenovia High School. She incorporates STEM learning within her classroom, connecting to students through real-life, problem-solving experiences. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Corsette is a class advisor and chaperones concerts and dances. She is an active member of professional organizations such as Delta Kappa Gamma and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State, holding state level positions in both groups. Mrs. Corsette enjoys time with her family, traveling with her husband and their large blended family, camping and crocheting. As a NYS Master Teacher, she is excited to work side by side with other Master Teachers, learning, collaborating and broadening her skills to impact classroom experiences with STEM topics for future students.
Rebekah Creshkoff (She, Her, Hers) is a retired communications professional and an environmental advocate. She started New York City Audubon's signature Project Safe Flight program and became a vegan to reduce her carbon footprint. A graduate of Judith Enck’s Beyond Plastic Pollution course, she is a member of Beyond Plastics' volunteer speakers bureau.
A longtime student and assistant teacher of tai chi, Rebekah resides in Sullivan County, NY, where she works at the Callicoon Farmers’ Market. She performs with the Delaware Valley Opera, the Farm Arts Collective and the county's community chorus. She is happiest when she’s outdoors.
David Czechowski (He, Him, His) 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.
Nick Darrah(He, Him, His) is a secondary math teacher currently teaching at Westmoreland Jr/Sr High School in Westmoreland, New York. He has worked at Westmoreland since 2004 and has taught a variety of math classes from an introductory algebra course to precalculus. Nick Darrah has also worked at Mohawk Valley Community College as an adjunct instructor. While there, he taught Technical Mathematics, Intermediate College Mathematics, and Calculus. In 2016, Nick became a member of the Freedom Writer Teacher organization and has acted as a contributor to the 2022 book Dear Freedom Writer: Stories of Hardship and Hope for the Next Generation. Nick holds bachelor's degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh in secondary education and in mathematics and holds a master's degree from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in information, technology, and design.
Sarah Elacqua earned her B.S. in Biology and her M.S. in Liberal Studies from Utica College and attained her teaching credentials in Adolescent Education from Le Moyne College. Prior to teaching, Sarah worked as a research assistant in Neuroscience at Utica College with a somatosensory focus on hearing, balance, and proprioception. As an educator, Mrs. Elacqua's focuses on bringing technology to the classroom via the use of iPads and Chromebooks and on the use of brain-based learning strategies. Sarah has experience teaching in private, public, and charter schools and currently teaches Living Environment and AP Biology at Waterville Jr./Sr. High School. She previously taught AP Biology, Living Environment, Field Studies, Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Health at middle and high school levels. Outside of her high school classroom, Sarah is an adjunct instructor of Biology at Mohawk Valley Community College. She encourages her students to view themselves as a part of the greater community and the world and to challenge their perceptions regarding science and the natural world. Above all, Sarah has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and is excited about working with other Master Teachers in their Professional Learning Teams, presenting and attending conference whenever possible, and bringing new educational opportunities to her students.
Hugh A. Gallagher Jr. (He, Him, His) earned his Ph.D. in Space Physics from Boston College in 1997. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Carovillano and Dr. Edward Weber, he used radar and optical measurements to investigate the electric circuitry of the aurora borealis. He continued this research on global scales as a post-doc at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab from 1997 to 1999. After a brief stint as a Visiting Professor at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, he arrived at SUNY Oneonta in August, 2000.
Although Dr. Gallagher continues to be interested in the physical processes occurring in the near-Earth space plasmas of the ionosphere and magnetosphere, he has also conducted research with students on electrostatic phenomena and standing waves in enclosed bodies of water known as seiche. A recent project with two students investigated the feasibility of detecting seiche in Long Island Sound and Great South Bay. More recently, we measured and modeled the characteristics of a seiche in a backyard pool. The results were presented at American Association of Physics Teachers Summer 2020 Meeting.
Website: https://suny.oneonta.edu/physics-astronomy/faculty-staff
Don Haas (He, Him, His) Don’s work in public outreach, teacher education, teacher professional development, and curriculum materials development marries a deep understanding of how people learn with a deep understanding of the Earth system. He is a past president of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, and a nationally regarded expert in climate and energy education, place-based and technology-rich Earth and environmental science education. He has led educator professional development programming throughout the US. Hass also co-authors the books, The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change and The Science Beneath the Surface: A Very Short Guide to the Marcellus Shale. He served on the Earth & Space Science Design Team for the National Research Council’s A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Don has taught at Colgate, Cornell, Michigan State Universities, the University at Buffalo, Kalamazoo College, and Tapestry and Norwich (New York) High Schools. He has a BA in Physics from SUNY Geneseo, an MS in Earth Science Education from SUNY Cortland, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching & Educational Policy from Michigan State University.
Website: https://earthathome.org/ ,https://www.priweb.org/
Joe Haas (He, Him,His) 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.
Astrid Helfant (She, Her, Hers) is a high school science teacher, wife and mother of two grown twin sons. Besides teaching Regents Chemistry, AP Chemistry and AP Biology, she creates content to share her expertise in science education in the hope of inspiring others in their educational pursuits.
Websites: If you would like to see some of her science videos including the featured video on the Chemical Bonding Storyline, visit https://www.youtube.com/@astridhelfant/featured
If you wish to check out other science resources, including lots of lesson plans as well as teacher keys centered around chemistry, go to this link: https://astrid-helfant.ck.page/05cf339278
Kimberly Hlavaty earned her BS in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education and her MSEd in Literacy from St. Bonaventure University. She has been teaching in the Cheektowaga Central School District since 2014 and is currently a 4th grade special education inclusion teacher. Having taught and co-taught all subject areas, most recently Miss Hlavaty has been a part of her school district's “21st Century Classroom Initiative” where STEAM activities are incorporated to promote the 4 C's of Education. She has been a part of the Buffalo Math Collaborative where she has learned how to improve her students' number sense. As a member of NYSCATE, Miss Hlavaty has attended various technology-based workshops so that she can bring back the latest practices to her students and colleagues. She is co-leader of her elementary school's Special Education Department, co-advises the Media/Technology Club at her school, has instructed various technology and special education related professional development opportunities for her colleagues, and Miss Hlavaty has served as a mentor for teacher residents from Canisius College since 2020. A lover of sports, running, and spending time with family and friends are what she enjoys outside of school. Past experiences with professional development offered through the NYS Master Teacher Program prompted her to strive to become a part of this incredible community. As a lifelong learner, Miss Hlavaty is honored to join the NYS Master Teacher Program and looks forward to improving her craft as an educator.
Mary Howard (She,Her,Hers) earned her B.A. from Michigan State University and her M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education from Niagara University. She currently teaches 6th grade science and ELA in Grand Island. Mrs. Howard uses digital tools to encourage engagement, critical thinking, collaboration, and create a life-long passion for learning. Whether the digital experience is related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or promotes literacy, she believes passionately in the potential that technology has for reaching and engaging ALL learners. For the past ten years, Mrs. Howard has presented at technology conferences across NYS and has become a globally recognized speaker on the topics of augmented reality and virtual reality. She was featured as a NYSED New York State EdTech Innovator in October, 2018, and was named 2018 International Society for Technology in Education’s Virtual Pioneer of the Year, Silver Presidential Volunteer Service awardee, and NYS Teacher of the Year finalist for 2018 and 2020. Mrs. Howard enjoys running, playing (and refereeing) hockey, kayaking and hiking, and is just a few peaks away from becoming an Adirondack 46er. She is excited to learn from and share her experience with the Engineering Design, and the Middle Level Science Professional Learning Teams.
Website: yoursmarticles.blogspot.com
Beth LaGrange (She, Her,Hers) Dr. Beth LaGrange is a clinical psychologist, with specialties in motivational interviewing and mindfulness. She is currently the Director of Behavioral Health and Engagement for a healthcare advocacy company, where she specializes in the application of motivational interviewing to habit change and helping people get unstuck from maladaptive behaviors. Dr. LaGrange completed her graduate studies at Vanderbilt University, where she focused on the cognitive factors contributing to depressive disorders. She has first-authored publications in journals such as the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, and Structural Equation Modeling. Internship and fellowship rotations working with individuals with substance use disorders led her to specializations in motivational interviewing and habit change, which have proven beneficial in work with many populations – including over a decade overseeing the provision of mental health services and programs at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where she helped implement a rewards-based behavioral treatment program to replace punitive segregation
Website: www.presenttimepsychology.com
Cathy Law (She, Her, Hers) 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.
Adam Lovecchico (He, Him, His) received his BA in Physics and minors in Mathematics, Psychology, and Philosophy and his Master of Science in Teaching both from Le Moyne College. Mr. Lovecchio has been a teacher since 2007 and has been teaching at Proctor High School in Utica, NY since 2016. He also works as a physics adjunct at SUNY Poly in Utica, NY. Mr. Lovecchio teaches courses in Regents Physics, Nanotechnology, and Bridges Science. He is currently working on his National Board Certification in Physics. Outside of the classroom, he coaches the school's robotics team, works as the school’s Audio Visual Coordinator, helps as an advocate in STEP Up Physics (helps increase the number of women working in the physics field), helps advocate for energy conservation through the NYS Energy Department and is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers. He loves spending time with his family, dog, and two cats. In the Master Teacher Program, he looks forward to working with others to get new ideas on how to better improve students’ understanding of the STEM field.
Jason March ( He, Him, His) earned his B.A. and M.S.Ed. in Mathematics from SUNY Geneseo. Mr. March started his career as a building substitute teacher while obtaining his Master's degree. He currently teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 2, AP Calculus BC, and Multivariable Calculus at Pittsford Mendon High School. Before his current position, he started writing curriculum for the Geneseo Migrant Center. He spent several years designing and publishing math curriculum for grades 6-12 that aligned to the standards of the nine most populous states to support education for migrant families who travel across the country working on farms. His favorite part about teaching math is to bring it to life by exploring various real-world applications. During the pandemic he started developing his own desmos activities to assist students and colleagues in a remote setting. As we've returned to in person learning, he has adapted these lessons to blend hands on experiences with the digital realm.
Steven Miano, Esq.( He, Him, His) is a Partner in and Chairs the Environmental Practice Group of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, a law firm based in Philadelphia. He has been practicing environmental law for over thirty-five years. His practice includes all facets of environmental law and litigation, including federal and state cases involving the Clean Water Act, Hazardous Waste laws, Superfund, Brownfields redevelopment, mining and transactions. Before entering private practice, Mr. Miano was an Assistant Regional Counsel for the U.S. EPA. He was an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Law School, where he taught courses on environmental law for many years. He is a frequent lecturer and has written on various environmental legal issues for a variety of publications. Mr. Miano received his B.S. in Environmental Studies from George Washington University and his J.D. from The University of New Hampshire School of Law. Mr. Miano is a Past Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers.
Website: https://www.hangley.com/team-member/steve-miano
Samrat Pathania (He, Him, His) 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.
Website: http://www.ecej.org
Neil Patterson, Jr. (He, Him, His) was born into the White Bear Clan as a citizen of the Tuscarora Nation. He is Associate Chair of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. Neil founded the Tuscarora Nation’s Environment Program as a delegate to the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force in 1997, and currently serves as the Tribal Co-Chair of the USEPA Tribal Science Council. He hunts, fishes, and raises traditional corn with his family on the currently recognized territory of the Onondaga Nation.
Website: https://www.esf.edu/nativepeoples/people.php
Joshua Paugh is a high school physics teacher at Brooklyn Technical High school, where he has been teaching Regents Physics and AP Physics 1 classes since September 2014. He majored in physics and minored in Spanish at SUNY New Paltz as an undergraduate, and earned his graduate degree in education at CUNY Brooklyn College, where he was in the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. He is a Master Teacher in the Math for America program where he has facilitated numerous workshops, and has led professional development sessions in Brooklyn Tech and through the Science Council of New York City. He is also a member of the STEP UP advocate program for women in physics. Joshua’s teaching style centers around students actively participating as much as possible by challenging them to collect data through student-driven, hands-on experiments and to create the equations they will use in class themselves.
Melanie Pflaum has taught at Brooklyn Friends School, John Jay High School, Costa Rica Academy, Middle College High School at LaGuardia, Hunter College High School, Academy for Young Writers, LaGuardia High School of the Arts. Awards include the Sarah D. Barder Fellowship for teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Interests include the intersection of math and social justice and the use of challenging or open ended problems to discover every student's mathematical strengths.
Valerie Rapson, PhD. (She, Her, Hers) is an Astronomer and public outreach enthusiast who enjoys teaching people of all ages about science. A native of Rochester, NY, she earned her Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology at RIT where her research focused on the chemical composition and structure of planet-forming disks around nearby young stars. Her research interests include star and planet formation, exoplanets, and projects that can be done with small telescopes. She also enjoys giving public talks, visiting K-12 schools to teach astronomy, and participates in WAMC's Vox Pop radio show with Astronomer Bob Berman. At SUNY Oneonta, Dr. Rapson teaches a variety of physics and astronomy courses. She also conducts exoplanet research with students utilizing telescopes at the College Camp Observatory, and designs and presents planetarium shows.
Website: https://suny.oneonta.edu/physics-astronomy/faculty-staff
Sue Saeli (She, Her, Hers) earned her MSEd in Physics Education from SUNY Buffalo State and BA in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo. She has been teaching for around 20 years after a career in industry as a Chemist and some time off to raise her three now adult children. She currently teaches Physics, Chemistry lab, Earth Science lab and a third-year science course, Alternative Energy, at Pioneer High School. Mrs. Saeli provides after school assistance with the physical sciences. She has travelled to Michigan and Colorado, as well as all over NY state for professional development. As a NYS Master Teacher, she looks forward to more opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow to inspire the next generation of citizen scientists. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting with her family, who live in several different states, and playing with her two dogs.
Mark Sanders is the Strategic Recruitment Coordinator at the SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs. Within his role, Mark focuses his efforts on building relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) and high school stakeholders throughout NYS. His work aims to provide college access and success tools to underserved and underrepresented students and families. Mark has held roles at SUNY Plattsburgh and the SUNY Welcome Center as the Regional Recruitment Advisor for NYC and NJ. 2017 Mark joined the SUNY Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success as Assistant Director. In 2020, Mark accepted a dual role as Director and current position with the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Access to Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. As an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) graduate, Mark is grateful to have his passion for uplifting communities and his purpose of opening opportunities for the next generation intertwined for nine years.
Sarah Slack has taught science and STEM in Brooklyn for the past 14 years and has been a Master Teacher with Math for America since 2015. She was awarded a Fund for Teachers grant in 2017 to study wolves in both natural and artificial settings, and in 2019, she received support from PolarTREC to spend two months in Antarctica to study factors contributing to the melt rate of Thwaites Glacier. In 2020, she joined NASA’s Climate Change Research Initiative as part of a team studying the variation in temperature in urban environments, and has presented on this work at NSTA, AGU, and NAAEE conferences. As co-chair of the NYCDOE’s Climate Education Leadership Team, she led multiple workshops to engage more students and teachers in efforts to understand how our communities can build resilience in the face of a changing climate. She recently received the 2022 Math for America Muller Award for Professional Influence in Education and the 2023 FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence. She will be taking the 2023-24 school off to participate in the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, where she will be working with the USGS in Washington, DC to help develop climate curriculum resources at the federal level.
Margaret Tanzosh teaches computer science to high school students and beyond, using Harvard's CS50 Curriculum (Harvard University's introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming.) Love problem solving and teaching students from teens to adults, how to break down problems and think algorithmically.
Martin Vysohlid (He, Him, His) earned his master's degree in mathematical and computer modeling in physics and engineering from Charles University in Prague, his MS in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Minnesota, and his Master of Arts in Teaching from Clarkson University with a Project Based Learning internship at Tech Valley HS. He was part of the interdisciplinary program "Mathematical and Computer Modelling in Physics and Engineering" and worked at the Institute of Plasma Physics in Prague. Dr. Vyšohlíd spent a decade working at GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY but was always attracted to teaching. He organized Physics & Math camps for HS students while in the Czech Republic and helped with the Math Olympiad for elementary students in NY before finally deciding to change his career. Dr. Vyšohlíd currently teaches AP Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Accelerated Math and Science AA at North Warren Central School, and also coaches XC running. He is a member of APS, AIAA, Sigma Xi, AAAS, and he regularly presents at science teacher conferences (STANYS). Outside of school, Dr. Vyšohlíd enjoys outdoor activities with his kids, works as a Nordic ski instructor, and is a volunteer ski patrol. He is looking forward to meeting other teachers who are excited about improving students' learning. His dream is to collaborate with them to organize math and science camps and motivate students.
Dr. Elizabeth Walker (She, Her, Hers) is a passionate and engaging educator in the field of mathematics education. Her background includes teaching mathematics to students in grades PreK through graduate study. Dr. Walker has extensive experience with pre- and in-service teachers examining and refining pedagogy, assessment, and engagement, and believes that enjoyment and success in mathematics grows from a combination of skill development, exploration, and wonder about the real world. She earned her BS in Education from Buffalo State College, MS in Math, Science, and Technology Education from St. John Fisher College, and
Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from The University at Buffalo. Dr. Walker also holds NYS Permanent Certification in K-12 General Ed & Mathematics; Extension in Gifted Ed.
Website: https://www.math-explorations.com
Toni Graves Williamson (She, Her, Hers) is a diversity practitioner and consultant, now serving as Director of Equity and Inclusion at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. She specializes in developing student leadership and programming across grade levels. Toni is a principal consultant of the Glasgow Group, a consortium of school educators that provides professional development and coaching to schools and other organizations. She is co-director and facilitator for The Race Institute for K-12 Educators, a non-profit organization that provides a space for educators to do the deep personal work of understanding their racial identities. She is a contributing author to The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys (2017 Corwin Press) and Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls (2021 Corwin Press). With her colleague, Ali Michael, Toni adapted Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility for young adults (2022 Beacon Press). She holds a bachelor's degree from Duke University in Political Science and two masters of education degrees, one from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the other from Columbia University. She is a native and proud Southerner, but currently resides in Philadelphia.
Dave Wilson (He, Him, His) earned his doctorate in Mathematics Education in 2002 at SUNY Buffalo under the direction of Douglas H. Clements. His dissertation titled Young Children’s Composition of Shape: A Learning Trajectory, stemmed from work on the NSF funded project: Building Blocks—Foundations for Mathematical Thinking, Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2. Dr. Wilson’s background includes more than a decade of teaching high school mathematics and another decade plus teaching mathematics and mathematics education courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. His research interests include problem-based teaching and learning with a particular focus on geometry and statistics. Most recently, his research has focused on Chinese mathematics teaching, curriculum, and professional development. One aspect of this work involves developing an English language version of a popular Chinese curriculum. The other connects with the recent attention given to Lesson Study in China and the opportunity to implement similar professional development models in the U.S. as a way of providing support for teachers during the adoption and transition to the Common Core State Standards. Related to the latter, Wilson serves as a member of the SUNY PARCC advisory group and has been involved in the piloting of the proposed NYS Teacher Performance Assessment.
Website: https://mathematics.buffalostate.edu/faculty/david-wilson
Rae Zimmerman (She, Her, Hers) earned her BA in Political Science from the University at Buffalo, BS in Elementary Education at SUNY College at Buffalo, and Master of Education as a Reading Specialist from the University at Buffalo. She just finished her 26th year of teaching grade 6 Science and Social Studies in the West Seneca Central School District. She is a member of WS East Middle School’s Shared Decision-Making Team, the Science Department Chair for grades 6-8 in her building, and the team manager for the Destination Imagination Club- a friendly competitive community program that encourages students to work as a team using their imagination to solve STEAM challenges. Her professional memberships include the Science Teacher Association of NYS (STANYS) and the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA). As a NYS Master Teacher, one of the first Professional Learning Teams she was excited to join was Girls in STEM. Consequently, she started a STEM Club in her middle school building and plans to continue to direct the club in the upcoming school year.
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