David Conner has an extensive background in education, the military, and instruction. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in School Administration. David has served in the United States Army and Army Reserve for over 25 years. He retired at the rank of Major serving stateside and in combat service in Iraq. Additionally, David has taught Social Studies for grades 7, 11, and 12, along with being an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Saint Bonaventure University. David hopes to use the Teacher Ambassador Emeritus Program to enhance the current course for Middle School students with the hopes to expand the exploration course for high school students. Additionally, David plans on upgrading the V/R program for more efficient educational use.
Louis DiCesare. High School
Subject: Business Region: Finger Lakes
Louis DiCesare is a Business teacher at Irondequoit High School. He has taught at Irondequoit for the last twenty-eight years teaching courses such as College Accounting, Personal Investing, International Business and Career & Financial Management. Prior to teaching, DiCesare was an advertising executive for eight years after having graduated from Alfred University with majors in Marketing and Management. He received his master’s degree in business education from Nazareth College. During his tenure at Irondequoit High School, DiCesare has advised hundreds of students in DECA, a business co-curricular organization, who have earned regional, state and international awards. DiCesare also has been recognized by WISE as a Gold Star teacher for each of the past ten years which honors excellence in teaching financial literacy. The Business Department at Irondequoit High School, which includes two other great educators, has earned the NYSED Business Department of the year honors four times along with being named a WISE National Top 100 School for teaching Personal Finance. DiCesare has been an adjunct professor at Monroe Community College, Nazareth College and SUNY Brockport. His greatest passion however is family: two boys Christopher and Benjamin and wife Leslie. Returning to the NYSDOL this summer again as a Teacher Ambassador Emeritus was an opportunity to help the next cohort be able to maximize their time to help NYSDOL reach its goal of informing school districts across the state about the labor needs and how schools can change to support these needs.
Jaime Larmon, High School
Subject: WBL Coordinator Region: Hudson Valley
Jaime is a wife and mom of two who loves her career. She is currently a work-based learning coordinator and has been with Mount Vernon High School for 7 years. At MVHS she helps students everyday in the Career and Technical Ed department with their career paths, finding internships and jobs. Her career trajectory has not been a linear one but rather a zigzag approach to her current role. She found her love of helping people fulfill their career path when she became unemployed herself. Jaime stumbled into a job as a Labor Service Representative (LSR) at DOL while on an unemployment insurance interview. Jaime worked for DOL for almost 6 years. Although she enjoyed her time working for DOL she felt she could use her experience along with her work-based learning certification to help students. The two worlds met last year during the inaugural Teacher Ambassador program. Jaime loved the experience so much and utilized it throughout all of this last school year. She now returns to the Emteris position to guide the incoming Teacher Ambassadors and help them gain all the valuable information so they can bring to their schools.
Mike Amante, High School
Subject: Technology Region: Mohawk Valley
Mike Amante, an experienced educator with 27 years in the classroom, has taught a diverse range of technology classes at both the junior and senior high levels in New Hartford Central Schools in New Hartford, New York. He holds certifications in Technology Education and Educational Communications and earned his B.S. in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in 1997 and his M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology and Media Management from SUNY Potsdam in 2000. In recent years, Mike taught Computer Applications and 8th Grade Technology at Perry Junior High School and will also return to teaching AP Computer Science Principles and Computer Applications at the Senior High School in the coming fall. Beyond his classroom responsibilities, Mike has gained recognition for his innovative teaching approaches. He has been selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator and joined as part of their Class of 2007 cohort, was selected a Google Certified Innovator (formerly known as Certified Teacher) in 2009 & has been a Google Certified Trainer since 2020. He also obtained his Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate which he has held since 2018, allowing him to fly small, unmanned aircraft (drones) commercially and supervise students who fly as part of school activities. For the past six years since 2018, Mike has also served as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Master Teacher for AP Computer Science Principles, enabling him to train incoming PLTW teachers to implement the PLTW Computer Science curriculum in their classrooms. Additionally, he has been honored as a SUNY Master Teacher allowing him to engage in their professional network of teachers throughout the state who share a passion for STEM teaching and learning. Last summer, Mike joined the Summer Ambassador Program in its inaugural year and is enthusiastic about returning as an Emeritus this year. He looks forward to mentoring and guiding new Teacher Ambassadors onboarding into the program and actively contributing to its growth and development over the coming summer. Mike is excited about the opportunities the program will provide to bring innovative ideas and resources from the workforce directly into his classroom and how it will offer so many new exciting new career discovery and exploration opportunities for his students next school year and beyond.
Christine Bosco, High School
Subject: CTE Region: Central
Christine Bosco is the instructor for the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Professions Program through OCM BOCES at the Cortlandville Campus. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Utica College, and worked in the industry in a variety of settings, the majority spent in pediatrics. She has been the teacher for the program since its onset in Cortland in 2015. The program is now located in Guthrie Cortland Regional Center, where it is embedded in industry. Over the last few years, Christine obtained her Professional Teaching Licensure, as well as Work Based Learning Certification. Christine loves instructing students and helping them find their passion, particularly in figuring out their next steps- whether it would be joining the workforce, college, military or another option. She feels part of her job is working with students to find the skills and knowledge needed to be successful, both in and out of the classroom, as well as teaching kindness and life skills for the future. Christine is thrilled at the opportunity to return as an Emeritus Teacher for the program, as she would like to serve as a mentor for other teachers and help to bridge the gap between education and the workforce. She is excited to help spread the word, and collaborate with others throughout the state to help teachers make some key changes in their classroom to benefit all students. The Teacher Ambassador Program provided her with a variety of tools and knowledge which enhanced her abilities as an educator. Christine loves spending time with her family, including her husband and two kids, who are involved in Irish Dance and karate. She loves being active, outdoors, exercising, and previously taught group fitness classes at a local YMCA.
