cta snippetscorningta.ny.aft.org/files/june2014retiree_1.pdf · 2019. 12. 20. · our annual...

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2014 Corning Teacher’s Association Retirees

Mary J. Bacalles

Lisa Bartlett

Mary Kay Bellizia

David Busch

Stuart Clough

Allen Clowe

Laura Cotcamp

Corrine Demonstoy

Stephen Fabian

Deborah Griffin

Sherry Holmes

Donna Keefe

Cindy Podell

Jennifer Shephard

Richard Shutes

Tammy Smith

Robert Streeten

Peg Vogel

Happy June! Our annual “retirement issue” of Snippets honors this year’s retirees. When you read their stories you’ll be

amazed at the varied pasts and variety of life experiences they possess. All of them have one thing in common, a

dedication to the students they have served. Thank you, retirees, for all you have done for them, and for all of us.

Congratulations on wonderful careers. You will be missed. We all wish you the best in the next phase of your lives.

—Rick Gallant

CORNING TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION 2014 RETIREE EDITION

June 2014 Volume 11 Issue 6

CTA SNIPPETS

http://corningta.ny.aft.org/


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Welcome to our new CTA President Leslie Varga

by David Rich

I would like to extend an enthusiastic welcome to Leslie Varga in her new CTA role as President, effective

July 1. Three years ago, Leslie was the first to welcome me at my first Executive Council meeting when she came

over to my seat, extended her hand, and introduced herself. Ever since then, she has helped me in my role as Vice-

President. She has guided me through organizing the Heart to Heart supply drive, volunteered her time at the Board

of Education Candidate Forums, and provided me with advice along the way.

As we embark on an era of new beginnings that includes the opening of the CPP High and Middle Schools,

an elementary facilities plan (hopefully), and our contract that expires in June 2015, I believe now is the time for us

to show our strength and unity in an effort to foster our collective wisdom.

Continuing to strengthen our membership and unity is my goal as Vice-President. I intend to work diligently

with Leslie Varga , the officers, Executive Council, and members to continue to make sure we are on a path that is

onward and upward. I encourage all members to attend Executive Council meetings, communicate with building

representatives and officers, and get involved in a positive manner that strengthens us. Share your talents---we are

485 members strong. Union begins with you.

Since its inception, our Association has made tremendous improvements for our membership and schools.

We owe our predecessors a huge thank you for such gains and we owe it to our posterity to continue our strength

and unity.

The Aims of CTA:

A. To assist in fostering, delineating and strengthening the educational standards and policies of the

Corning City School District.

B. To develop and maintain communication and mutual understanding among the citizens, school

board and administrative staff of the Corning City School District and this organization.

C. To promote the professional welfare of the members of the Association and to support the interests

of its members.

D. To promote the unity and strength of its members.

2014- 15 CTA Officers and Delegates

President: Leslie Varga Chief Negotiator: Scott Shaddock

Vice-President: David Rich Grievance Chair: David Rich

Treasurer: Scott Shaddock AFT Delegates: Kathy Rapisarda and Josh Keeler

Recording Secretary: Sharon Kendrick NYSUT Delegates: Sharon Campbell and Leslie Varga

Executive Secretary: Martha Marks


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Mary J. Bacalles

Interview with Mary Bacalles – submitted by Brad McKinney

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never

forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

I graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1973; awarded the Amityville Teachers

Association “future teacher of the year award”.

I went to Oswego State University and met my husband Tony. I left in my second semester junior

year to get married. I always remarked I couldn’t believe it took me 4 years of high school to get in and

15 minutes to check out. Needless to say- mistake, not the marriage part, leaving college. I moved to

Corning which was a culture shock- “that’s a mall, no that’s a plaza”. I eventually completed my degree at

Mansfield in December 1980. It would have been 1979 except, my son Lee (WHS-98) was born in May of

1980.

I worked for the CPP district part-time in Tutorial Resources with Joyce Conroy and Sandy

Callahan as a teaching assistant and substitute. In November of 1988, I began teaching for the district in

the Head Start- Pre-K program. My position was part of the new Pre-K program. Our district, at the

time, was only 1 of 3 that had a pre-k program within district. I worked at Winfield for two years and

then the program moved to Frank Pierce. This was ironic because my first TA position was at Frank

Pierce. I was familiar with Frank Pierce as my son had gone there from K-3. When the building was

closing I took a career opportunity to Third Grade- best year ever. Stress, sure but my co-workers

Carrie Hale and Jamie Nichols helped me transition and I am forever grateful. Gregg School had another

Mary Bacalles- spooky right? Anyway the Gregg family has been phenomenal in every way. They were

always there to support and guide. Even an older teacher needs guidance - and don’t be afraid to accept it.

As for retirement, I plan on volunteering and subbing at Gregg School. My husband Tony has

retired and we look forward to visits with our son and family. Lee lives in Blue Bell Pennsylvania with his

wife Lindsay. No grandchildren yet- but I have a grand-dog, a Boston terrier named Conshohocken,

“Conshy”. I want to remind you all that success in the classroom does not come from ‘work’ but from

your interaction with students and peers. I hope I leave behind some good memories of me.

June 2014 Volume 11Issue 6

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http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3503.Maya_Angelou


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Lisa Bartlett

by Sue Gruber

Hard decisions are a part of life. Retiring at the end of this year was one

of the hardest decisions Lisa has ever had to make. She knows it is the right one

for many reasons, most stemming from things outside of the classroom and

even outside of the workplace, but that has not made it any easier. Lisa has

been not only a special education teacher, but has more importantly been a

student advocate for 33 years. Students have always been the center of all that

she has done. She has loved them all, even those the rest of us have found

hardest to love.

Teaching is and always will be an integral part of who Lisa is. Finding it

impossible to leave all that she has worked for and all that she believes in

behind, Lisa plans to continue to help out in the District in “small” ways as she

transitions into retirement.

Lisa, for all of the children whose hearts you have touched and lives you

have changed, we thank you! We know that whatever you plan to do in the

future that you will still be touching hearts and changing lives…that is who you

are.

Much happiness to you and Marc, from all of your colleagues and many friends!

June 2014 Volume 11Issue 6

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Mary Kay Bellizia

by Elisabeth Hanley

Mary Kay Bellizia is someone who has had a varied career. She came to education through a

winding route.

Mary Kay, who grew up in Minnesota, began this journey as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor at St.

Joseph’s In Elmira. A resident of Pine City for thirty five years, she decided to return to school to earn a

Master’s in Social Work. She then worked at many local mental health agencies as a Social Worker, as

well as opening a private practice seeing individuals. She has provided supervision to social workers as

well as conducted educational workshops for a variety of participants. One of the highlights of her career

came during her study abroad at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Downpatrick, Ireland. Also memorable was

her work in New York City with the 9/11 Response Team in 2001.

These skills served her well when in 2002, Mary Kay joined the Corning School District as a social

worker attached to 6:1:1 and 12:1:1 classes. These classes serve students with emotional and behavioral

challenges, utilizing a multidisciplinary model. Mary Kay has loved working in a team with teachers, often

acting as a mentor and instructor in issues such as medication effects and the influence of family structure

on student functioning and academic success. She sees her role as one of providing supports to those

students to facilitate their success in the academic setting. In addition to acting as a liaison between school

and home, she interfaces with the many Steuben County agencies providing services to these students and

their families.

Throughout her tenure in our school district, Mary Kay has been an active member on the SEMT

Team and the district Threat Assessment Team, as well as being a Crisis Care Network Trauma

Responder for New York state. Unofficially, Mary Kay’s door is always open to school staff who need to

debrief, vent, get advice, or otherwise just cry on a supportive skilled shoulder. Many of us will miss that

open door and shoulder!

As for Mary Kay, she will miss the friendships she has formed here with the people who have

enriched her life as she has theirs. She leaves us to move to northern Virginia to be closer to her children

and grandchildren, but her work chapter has not closed! She will continue to share her warmth and

incredible gifts with those lucky enough to live in that area of the country.


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Farewell to David Gordon Busch by Michael Hurd and Bryan Kelley

The eldest son of Bev and “Twig” Busch has come to the end of his long and winding road as an educator. As

the stories of his impetuous youth have become lore to throngs of East High students who reveled in hearing the

tale of “La Belle Papillon” or another yarn about the “Enemy Ace” barreling through his paper route, it is only fitting

that one of this building’s most endearing characters and sages of history, concludes his journey in conjunction with

the closing of the very school that he served.

In his 26 years at East High he has regaled his students with salacious tales of history that few remember or

ever learned. If a dead man had an odd birthmark, or unusual last words, Dave knows them. Ask him, and he will

rattle off a tale you will not soon forget. Never afraid to fill a chalkboard with tiny, carefully formed letters, he has

singlehandedly kept the soon-to-be defunct chalk industry afloat for many years. Students and visitors of his

classroom have been immersed in his collection of military uniforms and war surplus paraphernalia. His room always

smelled like grandmother’s closet, and while the musty togs of past heroes may no longer adorn our walls at the new

CPP High, it is important to note that many of those treasures were passed on to certain students who shared the

same passion for military history and/or moth balls.

For sure, the halls will be quieter. Years ago, Dave moonlighted as a Rock ‘n Roll singer. The “band,” which

went by several names, was known to jam out in the Busch family basement, random weddings, and a few local bars.

Sadly, a lucrative record deal or Rolling Stone Magazine cover story never materialized. Like the other great acts, the

band eventually flamed out as many of its members moved on to raise families or realize their hard rock days would

be better spent cutting grass and watching Jeopardy. Dave did not let these obstacles hinder his need to croon. For

as long as we can remember, he has serenaded his homeroom classes with classic campfire songs, out-of-season

Christmas tunes, and corny love songs. Luckily missing from his current act are the Elvis-like hip gyrations that once

swept a pretty young nurse, the future Mrs. Busch, off her feet the night they met at one of his shows. He still

possesses the white polyester suit he wore that night – ever the historian, archivist, and pack rat.

So now Dave moves on to the next chapter in his life. He has a full slate of retirement activities on tap (pun

intended). Some believe that the menu at Dave’s Sports Bar will expand to include fresher peanuts and name-brand

ketchup, but it is hard to imagine such radical changes unless the Bills make the playoffs. No longer will Dave be the

collector of lost souls, inviting new teachers to his parties and becoming the perfect host for so many of his

colleagues over the years. Now, perhaps, he will have time to resume writing his long-rumored autobiography “It

Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time” while continuing his part-time position as quality control tester for the

Yuengling Brewery. Beyond those worthy pursuits, Dave will continue to be the loving father (to a future teacher, his

daughter “Ubu”) and husband (to his lovely “Precious”) that he has been throughout his career.

Let us raise our glasses, and give the very chant that Dave has recited so many times at retirement gatherings

and house parties over the years: “Here’s to Dave, Here’s to Dave, Here’s to Dave, He’s a horse’s ass.

Ohhhhmmm.” We salute you and bid you farewell, invoking the words of the mother of your boyhood hero, Captain

Eddie Rickenbacker, who was told after he earned his wings: “Fly low and slow.”

CTA SNIPPETS

http://corningta.ny.aft.org/ June 2013

Volume 11 Issue 6 June 2014


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Stu Clough

by Scott Shaddock

Stu Clough, or as he is affectionately known by the West High Math Department as “

Doctor Deuce” or “Captain Clough,” has been an integral part of the West High Math

Department for the past 23 years, taught at CFA for 8 years, and taught in Redding

Connecticut for 6 years. Stu’s formal education began at Deerfield Academy High School in

Deerfield Mass. He then attended The College of William and Mary for a BA in

Mathematics. His post graduate work was at Elmira College to earn a Master’s Degree in

Education.

When I was hired to teach math at West, Stu was assigned as my mentor. I couldn’t

have been assigned to a more student centered and professional teacher to learn from.

Over the past few years Stu has led our department through some rough curriculum and

position changes. To everyone in West High’s Math Department, Stu is a colleague, a

department leader and more importantly, a friend. It is with regret and admiration that one

of our great teachers is retiring.

Stu has left us with many words of wisdom that we will always remember. Some

students have “Delusions of Competence”. Another is “If it wasn’t important to you then,

why is it important to you now”? Stu was always able to put things in perspective for us no

matter how difficult things got.

Stu will spend most of his time with his wife Susan and three daughters Elizabeth,

Caroline, and Laura. He will also have the time to get his guitar out and perform to sell- out

crowds. I’m sure he will wonder how he ever had time to work! Even though Walmart

needs greeters!

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Allen Clowe

by Sue Moran

As many of you know, Allen Clowe, is retiring after 38 ½ years of

teaching here in Corning Painted Post.

I may be a bit biased, but I believe that Allen is one of the greatest

teachers that we have had in our district. His compassion, expertise and

unyielding integrity has allowed him to push children to conquer and

understand 7th grade social studies.

“Students are the center of all we do,” should be Allen’s motto.

He cares about each and every student past and present, and he remembers each student! I cannot

tell you how many parent meetings I have attended that he talks to both the parents and students and

remembers something special about that person as a student. Sometimes he even tells the former student,

who is now a parent or grandparent, where he sat in his room.

There are also many Allen “nuggets” that many of us will carry with us as we move forward. Here

are just a few, “We only work 180 days.” “We are having a heat wave” “Is the water wet?” “What does

the staff handbook say?” Lastly, the most important one, “Choose your battles.” Anyone who has worked

with Allen has heard that quote and understands the deep meaning.

When I tried to ask him a few questions about what he would be doing in retirement, he said,

“Don’t you write anything.” After a few more questions and me being very persistent, he did say that in

retirement that he would like to spend more time with his grandchildren who live in West Virginia. In fact

his quote was truly an Allen Clowe nugget, “I would like to spend less time with my wife and more time

with my grandchildren, that way we will stay married.”

He just wants to walk out of Northside just like he walks in and out every day. However, he would

be happy if Northside was turned into a retirement home and he could just move back in to room 225.”

We will miss you Allen! Thanks for all your years of service and dedication to the students of

Corning Painted Post.

June 2014 Volume 11 Issue 6 CTA SNIPPETS

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Laura Cotcamp

By Sue Gruber

Laura was the number one draft-pick from Campbell-Savona a number of

years ago and Corning East High has surely benefitted from her presence on our

“team.” She works hard up in the Earth Science room trying to inspire the

freshmen (an admirable task) and laughs hardily down in the staff room helping

her lunch buddies get through the day!

Laura has been sharing her Science wisdom with middle and high school

students for 32 years and 7 months, possibly entertaining audiences longer than

Bill Nye the Science Guy! (Hmmm…a future career option, Laura???) She has

spread her knowledge throughout the area, also teaching in Moravia and Dryden.

Her favorites were her 6th graders.

Teaching is not Laura’s only forté…she is an incredible baker! (And I

mean truly incredible!) Although with all of her travel plans, she may not have

much time to spend in the kitchen. Perhaps she will pick up a few new recipes

around the world and will want to come back and share them with us??? Hint,

hint!

Laura, thank you for your many years of dedication to your students and

for deciding to come to Corning! The students and staff here have truly enjoyed

you! We all hope that your retirement will be filled with fun-times with friends

and family! Enjoy every minute of it! You have earned it!

June 2014 Volume 11 Issue 6 CTA SNIPPETS

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Cory DeMonstoy

by Susan Moran and Beatrice Miller

Cory DeMonstoy has been teaching 7th grade math at

Northside Blodgett for nine years. In addition, she taught math,

science, and physics at Campbell Savona prior to coming to CPPSD.

She is fond of having had current 8th grade math teacher, Bryson

Keefer, in her Chemistry class, and, we feel, most certainly is

responsible for his decision to enter the teaching field. She will be retiring after 16 years of

teaching and 12 years of working in a Cornell Bio-Chemistry lab.

Her husband retired last year from BOCES as a heavy equipment teacher. Cory plans

to continue her love of organic farming with him. In addition, this year she would like to

grow and sell flowers. They currently have 2 ½ acres of flowers planted to support her goal

of selling them at the Syracuse farm market. She also plans on spending time with her

grandchildren who live in Long Island and Clarence, NY. Not surprisingly, she happily looks

forward to spoiling her dogs, chickens, and cat while watching a multitude of hockey games

as well.

Cory will enjoy hiking, traveling, and the outdoors in her retirement. And of course,

she will be spending time with family and friends all while not being tied to a school

calendar.

She will be remembered for always being one of the first teachers in the building each

day. At Northside in the upstairs wing, you can be sure that the copiers have been warmed

up because of her. She will be missed for her crazy “Merry Christmas” greetings to the

students which she would say every month except for December! Cory delighted in trying

to find something that the students would notice and laugh at as they entered her

classroom.

Her welcoming presence will surely be missed. She has been a great friend and

mentor to many of us. Nonetheless, we look forward to wishing her a very happy and well

earned retirement.


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El Señor Fabian – The Man with the Moustache

by Beth Bly & the NB Foreign Language Chocolate Club

If you have ever taken a Spanish literature course, you have undoubtedly heard of the literary figure Don

Quixote. Everyone knows who he is, just like our bigger than life figure, Steve, El Bigote (the moustache).

Regardless if you know what subject Steve teaches, you would definitely recognize that moustache anywhere.

Hey, maybe he can sign up to be the next Dos Equis campaign man, the Most Interesting Man in the World with

that moustache!

Retiring after only 39 years of service? Inconceivable! Steve Fabian has graced the education field for 39

years (which begs the question, how long has he had that moustache anyway??). He has seen more changes than

most of us ever will in our careers. He started his teaching career near Albany before he moved upstate. In the

early years, he honeymooned as a part-time night custodian at a neighboring school district just to make ends

meet. He even took a short hiatus from teaching and worked at a loading dock before returning to the field. He

has taught every Spanish class from beginning, modified, to upper level ACE courses offered thru Corning

Community College.

He spent most of his teaching career in the Campbell-Savona school district. He has been associated with

Corning Community College since 1992 and even worked at Elmira College from 1997-2005. We were lucky he

made the move to the Corning school district in the winter of 2006. He taught at East High School up until three

years ago, when he made the move to middle school (what was he thinking???). He had always wanted to work

with younger students and thought it would be fun to try before he retired.

If you ever had the pleasure to sit in on one of his classes, you would know that the students are not just

learning Spanish but World history, English grammar lessons and important life lessons. However, his sense of

humor is what is most noticeable. He has a terrific sense of humor and has an affinity for quoting Monty Python

movies and the Princess Bride. His prop box is pretty impressive as well: from clown horns to rabid bunnies.

But alas, he cannot wear his “Hello. My name is Inigo Montaya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” t-shirt to

school anymore; something about being against dress code. He has a joke a minute if you can keep up. He even

has a set of snare drums that students hit to highlight his jokes or puns (if you are bright enough to get it..ba-

dum-ching).

Steve just has that pizazz and big personality as soon as he steps into the front of the classroom. He is

certainly one in a million. One thing is for sure, he will never stop learning and teaching. He will still be an

adjunct at CCC and will be offering private tutoring services in his spare time. I am sure he will also be taking

lots of trips to Buffalo & Boston to visit his daughters. Hopefully his wife, Janet, will join him soon in

retirement. But we Northsiders all know where he will be every day; sitting at Soul Full Cup café enjoying his

morning espresso with some extra dark chocolate discussing world news or learning another language.

Steve, thank you for all your years of service to our district and profession. You are an

inspiration to us all. Te vamos a extrañar.


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Deborah Griffin by Eric Griffin

I have had the privilege of knowing Deborah Griffin for my entire life… mainly because she is

responsible for my entire life. Many of you know Deb as an educator at Calvin U. Smith Elementary

School. She is not only one of the most caring, kind and compassionate people in the professional setting,

but she has an unmatched integrity and dedication to the students she teaches. I remember “discussing”

her portfolio work last year and commenting…”Mom why are you stressed about this? You’re going to

retire!” - “Because it’s important how you finish” was her response and it pretty much sums up her

professionalism and attitude towards her profession. My mother loves…Loves…LOVES education. She

was the first person to complete a masters degree in her family of five siblings. She has also had her life

experiences that many may not have known. She lost a sibling after WWII to leukemia, she has lived with

epilepsy and grown up in a time that did not afford what some would have considered to be a “disability”.

Deb also lost twins late in term between pregnancies for my older brother and myself. She was not an “A”

student, but struggled and worked twice as hard for a “B”. In the last ten years she has battled Breast

Cancer and survived high risk Brain Surgery. Despite what many would consider setbacks, she has had

two supports in her life, her family, and her other family. The other, are the teachers and students that she

has worked with, sung with, and impacted.

If you were to ask a person… What would you do in retirement? - answers would be as diverse as

the people responding. When I asked my mother this question she had two responses. 1. I’m not sure and 2. Whatever I want to do. You may have reflected on what it would mean to be in a position to do

whatever you want, especially while cramming your portfolio submission in before a looming deadline

recently, but I know the reason why her first response was “I’m not sure” is because her teaching, was also

her hobby.

After a career spanning close to 40 years in education both private and public school Deb Griffin is

a model teacher for adapting strategies for teaching students (lots of students) that all bring a diverse and

seemingly explosive energy to a class. I began in the Corning Painted Post School district as a substitute

teacher while earning my bachelors degree. The most difficult classroom I have ever taught in was my

mothers. This was not due to a lack of control or management on her part, but the exact opposite. The

students were so dialed in to her methods of teaching, her caring demeanor and her ability to manage the

students as individuals and a larger group that I didn’t stand a chance. Especially after being asked “Are you

and Mrs. Griffin MARRIED?!”

Although I have come to the end of my remarks, a new chapter for Mom is beginning. What is she

up to? For starters, she has five grandchildren to spoil. She is an active member of the Saint Mary’s Parrish

in Bath. She sings every week, twice a week. She is a regular fixture at the Switzerland Inn on Keuka Lake

with her husband Jim who also retired this past January and this Month she will be singing in Ireland with

the Berkshire Choral Festival Select choir on a tour. This will be the first time that she has traveled

overseas and will be spending what is a well deserved vacation with Jim after 41 years of marriage.

So for a mother who has been able to adapt her whole life to situations (like switching from bar

soap in the mouth of her youngest son to liquid soap) - much more effective. To a teacher that has spent

countless hours grading papers, placing stickers, and focusing on her students while her youngest son

would complain about how much time she spent grading papers after school. And as a parent who decided

to become the head of the West High Band Chaperones the year I went to High School. I may have rolled

my eyes then, but I wouldn’t trade those experiences with you for the world. Congratulations Deborah

Griffin, I love you mom. - oh.. and by the way…Can you watch the kids on Wednesday night?


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Sherry Holmes

By Kerry Stone

Sherry Holmes is retiring from the Corning Painted Post School District after 25 years

in education. She was hired by Grant Sharman in September 1990 to teach 1st grade at Hugh

Gregg Elementary School. She loved Gregg School so much, she never left! She taught 1st

grade, 2nd grade, a combination 2nd/3rd and was part of the consultant 2nd grade as well.

Sherry, who previously worked as an office manager and a hairdresser, became

interested in education after volunteering in an elementary school in Australia in 1984 while

her husband, Jim, was there teaching as part of a teacher exchange program. When she

returned to the United States, she became a teaching assistant in the Watkins Glen School

District. From there, Sherry decided she wanted her own classroom and returned to school to

obtain her teaching degree.

Sherry served the Corning School District as a member of the Gregg School BLT and

Sunshine Committees and the district SWEEP and Science Committees. She often spent

several weeks each summer for various ELA and math projects. Her dedication, organization

and compassion to her second home at Gregg School will have a lasting impression. Sherry

loves to sew and has made 10 dresses for the boy’s skit and 30 flower girl dresses for Gregg

School’s annual May Day celebration. She was instrumental in the sewing of the retirement

quilts made lovingly each year from material brought in by each staff member. She always

jumped in with two feet to share her artistic talents making props during the many

celebrations at school.

Sherry plans to enjoy retirement with Jim, who is a retired teacher, spoiling their 5

grandchildren as much as possible. She wants to spend the summers planting and tending

her flowers and traveling south in the winter. Gregg School will miss Sherry because of all

the hats and hair-dos she wore here. She says “Never be afraid to change your hair color or

your hair style!”


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Cindy Podell

By Cynthia Simmons

Cyndi Podell is retiring after twenty-six years and spanning three counties in the education field.

Cyndi started her career in education as a teaching aide. In her sixteen years as a teaching aide she has

helped many children in the 6:1:1, 12:1:1 life skills and various other programs. While working as an aide

she went back to school at Mansfield to obtain her Education degree. Her first job was in the Binghamton

district, in county number one and she switched to the Watkins district, in county number two and ending

up in the Corning Painted Post district, in the third county. Cyndi has been a proponent for students in

the Special Education program her entire career. In her classroom she advocated for students and was

creative in securing funds for the students to experience special events and activities.

As well as working with other children she and her husband, Alan, raised two children Jonathan and

Molly. Cyndi speaks often of her children with love and pride. Her son Jonathan and his wife, Molly lives

in North Carolina with their beautiful 13 month old son, Griffin. Jonathan is a Special Forces medic in the

Army who currently is deployed in Afghanistan. Cyndi is proud of her daughter-in-law, Molly who is a

nurse practitioner and keeping the “house” going while Jonathan is deployed. Cyndi is very proud of her

daughter, Holly who followed in her footsteps. Holly is a Special Education teacher and her son-in-law is

the head swim coach for Colorado University. Holly and her husband, Christopher, live in Colorado with

their two children. Cyndi enjoys talking with her grandson, Gabe, about his first grade experiences. Holly’s

daughter, Elliot Grace (Ellie), delights Cyndi with laughter.

Cyndi’s future plans are for a lot of grandchildren quality time by moving to North Carolina and

taking many direct flights to Colorado. She would like to be close to the beach in North Carolina to read

and relax.

She has enjoyed her many years in education. She has said that through almost three decades of

teaching she has enjoyed way too much ice cream, many Panera short bread cookies and Friday night with

the girls to get through the years.

Best wishes to Cyndi and her family. Cyndi your laughter, smart wit and wealth of knowledge will

be missed by your colleagues, students and friends.


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Jennifer Shepard

by Leslie Varga

Humility~ Strength~ Perseverance: three adjectives that eloquently describe my

colleague and friend, Mrs. Jennifer Shephard. Jennifer began her teaching career in 1999 as a

Resource Room teacher at CFA. Jenn’s purpose was to serve our children with special

needs, and she did that well. Her gentle nature, kindness and patience with students made

the resource room at a welcome place of learning. Math committee, special education

summer school and SST at Kent Phillips are just a few of the long list of contributions that

Jenn has given to our school district. Jenn will be remembered for bringing “learning to

life” dressed in her Egyptian attire at the CFA Tomb Walks. She was instrumental in

teaching children about early commerce to prepare middle school students for CFA’s

famous Silk Road Festival. It was all about hands-on teaching for Jenn. The sometimes silly

Mrs. Shephard was even remembered for once wearing “Heely’s”….sneakers with wheels—

as her mode of transportation in the halls of CFA!

Over the years, the students and staffs of CFA, Kent Phillips, Winfield and Severn have

had the good fortune of calling Mrs. Shephard their teacher, colleague and friend. She has

touched the lives of many with her kindness and patience.

Jenn looks forward to healing in her retirement. She will spend quality time with her

husband, Bill. They both look forward to celebrating the successes of their son, Zane –and

will likely become masters of Skype when Zane’s studies take him abroad to London in

August. When Zane returns to Ithaca College, Jenn looks forward to spending even more

quality time with her family.

Our colleague and friend is retiring from teaching. There are challenges to conquer.

It is her humility, strength and perseverance that will guide her through those challenges.

We wish the best for you, dear friend.


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16

Richard Shutes

by Janette Crawford

Richard Shutes grew up in Wysox, Pennsylvania. We bonded immediately at

summer school when I found this out, since this is also my hometown! Richard

served in the US Navy before becoming an accountant. During his years as an

accountant, he lived in both Boston and New York City. Richard has worked as

a Special Education Teacher with students from kindergarten to high school age.

He worked for Steuben Allegany BOCES before coming to CPP. Richard is the

“father” of 8 dogs and 2 cats, which were all rescued. He enjoys reading and

trips to Tioga Downs, where he is known to win big. His bucket list includes

visiting all the National Parks, which he says he is going to accomplish in the back

of my RV!

by Sharon Lowery

Over the years, Richard and I were told that we acted like an old married

couple. There were times he infuriated me (and possibly I him) but, I respected

him and he always had the students’ best interests at heart. The one year I

worked with Richard in summer school, I felt he was being mean to the students

and I went to Terri Graham and told her I never wanted to work with him

again. The next summer I was back in Richard's class and I came to realize that

he wasn’t being mean; he had high expectations. The more I worked with him,

the more I gained an understanding of students with special needs and the

importance of helping them become as independent as possible. Richard taught

me so much about special education and more. As well as being a teacher and

mentor to me, he is also a dear friend and I wish him well in his retirement.


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17

Tammy Smith

By Melissa Fiscus

After 34 years of dedicated service Tammy Smith is retiring from teaching. Tammy began her

career as a teaching assistant with Ellen Robinson in 1980. In 1984, Tammy began her work with BOCES

as a Resource Room and Special Education Preschool teacher. Over the next 15 years with BOCES she

worked in Hornell, Avoca and Bath. Then in 2000, Tammy accepted a Resource Room position with the

Corning Painted Post School District. Tammy worked at Lindley-Presho Elementary for ten years and then

she moved to Erwin Valley Elementary in 2010.

Tammy is an utmost professional, always having her students’ interest at heart. She was always

the first to give generously whenever a family was in need during the holidays or throughout the year. She

was dedicated to the CTA, having served as building representative for Lindley Presho and currently for

Erwin Valley. She served on numerous district committees including the SWEAP committee.

Tammy has enjoyed working with all of her coworkers through the years. She has developed many

friendships. At our next staff breakfast or luncheon we will miss her fruit display. She was always sharing

her home with us so we could celebrate different occasions as a staff. We will miss seeing her every day,

heels and all, even on casual Friday!

Tammy has no specific plans after retirement but is looking forward to spending more time with

her three grandsons and her family, traveling, and camping. Her daughter Sara describes her as “An

amazing mom and grandma! She has always been a role model in every way for me, as a teacher and now

as a mother.”

Tammy has been a wonderful resource in the Corning Painted Post School District. She will be

missed dearly by her friends, coworkers, students and their families. As I talked to Tammy about her

career she feels like it was, “A perfect way to start and a perfect way to end.”


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18

Bob Streeten

by Ray Lawson

Congratulations to Bob Streeten on his retirement after 36 years of teaching in public

education. Bob taught and coached for two years at West Genesee High School before

starting his teaching and coaching career in Corning. Bob Taught at CFA and NSB before he

was hired at East High School in 1983 where he has taught ever since.

Bob has taught American History throughout much of his teaching career and began

teaching an elective course on the Holocaust in 1986. In 1998 Bob started the popular and

very powerful educational trips for Corning students to Washington D.C. and the Holocaust

Museum. As a coach and a teacher Bob has sought to establish strong relationships with his

students and athletes. He has always tried to make them see that the commitment and

dedication they put forth in the classroom and on the field now will make a difference to

their present success, as well as fostering in them the skills they need to be successful in

their future lives.

Bob was a head football and lacrosse coach for three years early in his Corning

career, before focusing solely on Lacrosse. Bob coached his lacrosse teams to 25 sectional

championships, 13 State Championship appearances, and he coached the 1990 Lacrosse

team to a NYS Class B State Championship victory. Anyone who knows Bob appreciates

the dedication and commitment he has made and continues make promoting and developing

the sport of Lacrosse in Corning. For more than 30 years Bob has helped young people

to enjoy and improve at the sport of lacrosse in season and out.

Bob continues to enjoy teaching and coaching travel lacrosse, and plans on substitute

teaching next year to keep his connection with the kids and staff. Bob plans on travelling in

his retirement with his wife Suzanne. This summer’s travel plans include a twelve day trip to

Uganda to visit their sponsor child of 14 years, and a trip to Denver to see the World

Lacrosse Championships. East High wishes Bob a very happy and healthy retirement. Thank

you for 33 years of service to students and athletes of the Corning Painted Post School

District.


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19

Peg Vogel

by David Quackenbush

Peg will be retiring from the District’s High School Learning

Center this June. She played an instrumental role in the implementation

of the school and taught there since it began in 2003.

Peg will be remembered and missed at the HSLC for her stress-

reducing yoga sessions, her calm demeanor and her insistence that we

all be good stewards of our planet! Her science lessons fully engaged

her students with projects like making bio-diesel, and collecting data for

our school’s maple syrup business. She was a teacher who allowed

students to explore and expand on their interests, often inspiring

students to go above and beyond expectations.

She looks forward to immersing herself in her outside interests;

gardening, raising chickens, traveling, enjoying her home near Seneca

Lake and attending her favorite music festivals.


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cta snippetscorningta.ny.aft.org/files/june2014retiree_1.pdf · 2019. 12. 20. · our annual...

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