Grades: 8 and 9 Subject: Technology and Computer Applications Region: Mohawk Valley
Over his 26 years in the classroom, Mike Amante has taught a wide variety of technology classes at both the junior high and senior high levels. Certified in Technology Education and Educational Communications, he 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. Currently, he teaches Computer Applications and 8th Grade Technology at Perry Junior High School in New Hartford, NY. Beyond his classroom duties, Mike has been recognized for his innovative approaches to teaching and learning by being selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Innovator & Trainer, as well as obtaining his Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to fly small, unmanned aircraft (drones) commercially and to supervise students who fly as part of school activities. Additionally, since 2018, Mike has served as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Master Teacher for AP Computer Science Principles. This allows him to train incoming PLTW teachers to deliver PLTW's Computer Science curriculum in their classrooms. Mike is also a SUNY Master Teacher, a professional network of teachers throughout the state who share a passion for their own STEM learning. Mike is very excited to join the Summer Ambassador Program, not only to bring innovative ideas and resources from the workforce directly back into the classroom, but also to share the innovative work that will be done with fellow colleagues in his school to offer exciting new career discovery and exploration opportunities to their students.
Robin Banks, Williamsburg Charter High School
Grades: 10-12 Subject: U.S. History, Global, Economics and Government Region: Mid-Hudson
Robin Banks is looking forward to the implementation and delivery of career readiness strategies in her classroom. She has worn many hats during her tenure as a social studies teacher. She has led curriculum development teams in the creation and design of unit maps, and performance tasks across curricular activities. In addition, she was selected as Teacher Director, a liaison between administrators and teaching staff. In this role she was instrumental in the implementation and facilitation of New York States Teacher Effectiveness initiatives- Charlotte Danielson's research-based components of instruction and best practices in the form of a series of professional development workshops. She was also a co-presenter at NYSCATE's annual conference discussing "Innovative College and Career Exploration,” implementing an innovative online career planning system designed specifically for today's high-tech youth in New York State. Robin is a mother, sister, cousin, aunt, and a newly crowned grandmother of a beautiful baby girl. She loves traveling, cooking, and of course eating. In addition, she is an avid music fan and loves to go to concerts. Although she does not sing, she aspires to learn the guitar.
Gael Bobby, Binghamton High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Marketing, Specialize in Career Exploration & Work Based Learning Region: Southern Tier
Gael Bobby is an enthusiastic forward-thinking educator passionate about helping youth find their place in work and life. Gael holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management & Economics with a minor in Management Accounting from SUNY Empire State and a Master of Education in Business Management, Marketing and Work Based Learning from SUNY Oswego. Prior to her teaching career, Gael worked in the defense contracting industry as a finance analyst creating financial platforms and training an international workforce. This background, coupled with her education and experience, allowed Gael to understand the needs of students and the workforce alike. It provided her with insight into creating engaging content that helps student experience the expectations of the 21st century workforce. In her spare time Gael enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children, hiking, and exploring NYS, reading anything related to ancient Celtic history and practicing backyard farming, including raising her 6 chickens and distributing eggs to her neighbors. Lastly, Gael is excited about the teacher ambassador program so she can share her life experiences and hopefully help others authentically engage with students to build a strong NYS workforce.
Christine Bosco, OCM BOCES Cortlandville Campus
Grades: 11-12 Subject: Career and Technical Education- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Professions Region: Central New York
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 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. She enjoys helping students 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. The opportunity to participate in the Teacher Ambassador Program is very exciting for her, as she has seen firsthand the benefits of teaching students’ skills and experience needed to succeed in a career in the future. Christine is married, with two kids and enjoys partaking in activities with them. She loves being active, exercising, and previously taught group fitness classes at a local YMCA.
David Conner, Cattaraugus Little Valley Middle/High School
Grades: 7 Subject: Social Studies Region: Western New York
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 Program to create a career course for Middle School students with the hopes to expand the exploration course for high school students.
Nicholas D’Amuro, Genesee Valley BOCES
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Social Studies Region: Finger Lakes
Originally from Lewiston NY, Nick D’Amuro knew he wanted to be a teacher and coach from the time he left middle school. Nick attended SUNY Geneseo and majored in history with a minor in political science, while also obtaining his certification in adolescent education. He also holds a master’s degree in adolescent education from SUNY Brockport. Upon graduation, he began working at the Holley Central School District teaching Social Studies. Nick has served on numerous regional curricula writing teams and developed inquiry-based classroom that enforces critical thinking, including developing and implementing a senior capstone project as part of a New York State Seal of Civic Readiness pilot. He recently changed roles and is serving as an Instructional Coordinator at Genesee BOCES. He is assisting educators and districts in the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, and one in Steuben. He largely focuses on social studies teachers but also support the School Improvement team. Outside the classroom, Nick enjoys hiking, reading anything political or historical, and most of all spending time with his wife and two young children. Nick is excited to learn more about his region’s businesses, workforce, and how he can apply that to the classroom.
Louis DiCesare, Irondequoit High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Business Education Region: Finger Lakes
Lou DiCesare is a 27-year veteran teacher certified in Business & Distributive Education having received his master's at Nazareth University. He teaches classes such as College Accounting, Sports Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Investing and Career & Financial Management. Teaching was not Lou’s first career out of Alfred University as a Marketing & Management major. He spent eight years following a path in advertising as an account executive calling on companies such as Eastman Kodak and Bausch & Lomb. It was a volunteer experience with Junior Achievement that had professionals in Business come in and teach high school students how to start and run a business that inspired him to become a teacher. Fast forward 27 years, Lou still loves being able to open students' minds up to potential career opportunities through experiencing the curriculum he teaches. He also turned his love of golf into teaching experiences by coaching JV Golf for the last seven years. By harnessing his passion for helping students to pursue career opportunities, he is excited to take that same passion on a larger scale working with the NYSDOL. He feels like his career has led to this opportunity and is excited to learn how he can be a conduit to linking DOL resources and labor needs back to high schools and helping reduce labor deficits in his region.
Lauren Engels, Nassau BOCES Barry Tech
Grades: 11-12 Subject: Work-Based Learning Region: Long Island
Lauren Engels has worked in the Education field as both a Business Teacher and a Work-Based Learning Coordinator for almost 20 years. She absolutely loves working with high school students. She received her Bachelor's from the University of Scranton in Marketing and her Master's from Hofstra University in Business Education. She is excited about the Teacher Ambassador Program because her passion is helping prepare today's youth to become college and career ready. In her spare time, Lauren loves to travel.
Amy Fink, Maple Hill Junior & Senior High School
Grades: 9 & 12 Subject: English 9, English 12, AP Literature & Composition Region: Capital Region
Amy Fink is a certified 7-12 English teacher who works at Maple Hill Jr./Sr. High School teaching English 9, English 12, and AP Literature & Composition. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her Master of Arts in Teaching from SUNY Empire State College. Amy loves teaching adolescents how to strengthen their reading comprehension and writing skills because literacy and effective communication are imperative skills for informed and active citizens. She is excited about the Teacher Ambassador Program because the knowledge she acquires in this immersive experience will undoubtedly be an asset to her curriculum to guide students into emerging adulthood as they navigate their future career plans. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and crocheting.
Caressa Guerrero, Brockport High School
Grades: K-8 Subject: All content area support Region: Western New York
Caressa Guerrero is currently an instructional coach at Frank A. Sedita School #30 in Buffalo Public Schools working with teachers grades Pre-K through 8th grade. She is a certified 7-12 English Language Arts teacher and holds K-12 TESOL professional certifications. Caressa earned a MAT in Secondary English Education at Agnes Scott College in Decatur Georgia after earning a BA in English from SUNY at Buffalo and is a recent graduate of the Leadership and Policy program at Niagara University earning her PhD. She is a proud mother of 6 children and married to a remarkable husband. Caressa enjoys traveling abroad to see family in Jamaica and Costa Rica, enjoys camping, and is a prolific reader. One thing she loves about teaching is being a cheerleader for her students. She recently attended one of her former English Language Learner graduations from Cornell University. It was a surreal moment to see that accomplishment come to fruition. Dr. Guerrero is excited about the teacher ambassador program because she will be equipped to expose middle school students to career exploration before high school. This program will get students thinking about careers, different pathways, and exposure as well as support active engagement in the classroom and instruction from teachers. This program will foster a new way of thinking in the classroom when teachers work collaboratively with community agencies and organizations that support underserved populations and bridge the gap in communities. Caressa is looking forward to the work that will be done to support workforce development in New York State and curriculum development that will support student success across New York State.
Michael Herrod, Bard High School Early College Queens
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Special Education English, Social Studies and Math Region: New York City
Mike Herrod is a special education teacher at Bard High School Early College Queens. He received his B.A. from Columbia University, and his master’s in education from Hunter College through the New York City Teaching Fellows program. Before becoming a teacher, Mike worked in children’s publishing and moonlighted as a children’s book illustrator. He is certified to teach special education as a generalist, and has co-taught classes in Math, English Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies and Science. He is also a special education case manager and writes Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and holds IEP meetings at his school. In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing the banjo and guitar, reading science fiction books, and cooking vegan meals. Mike is passionate about supporting students in the classroom and in their transitions to careers; he is excited to expand his toolbox through the Teacher Ambassador Program.
Philip Kinane, Jamesville Dewitt Middle School
Grades: 5-7 Subject: Robotics, Technology, Computer Aided Design Region: Central New York
Philip Thomas Kinane is a middle school technology education teacher at Jamesville Dewitt Central Schools, a diverse suburban school district in Central New York. As a Doctoral student in the Occupational and Technical Studies program at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, his research focus is on design process thinking and how it relates to student mindset, motivation, and persistence in STEM pathways. He's passionate about getting students to start thinking about their careers and future opportunities within the workforce. He currently lives in Fayetteville, New York with his wife and best friend, Suzanne.
Rebecca LaForest, Cohoes High School
Grades: K-12 Subject: Technology, Math and Special Education Region: Capital Region
Rebecca K. LaForest was born and raised in New York's Capital Region, graduating from Cohoes High School, where she serves as the Career Education Coordinator. Rebecca holds teaching certifications in mathematics, special education, and technology. She earned a bachelor’s at SUNY New Paltz in Mathematics Secondary Education, a Master's in Adolescent Special Education at CUNY Lehman, and a Master's in Nanoscale Engineering from SUNY Albany, with a published thesis entitled STEM Education: A Programmatic & Economic Analysis. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys kayaking, gardening, bowling, and exploring Peebles Island State Park. She is an avid shopper, supports local small businesses, and enjoys game nights with friends and family at home. Rebecca believes every child has the right to a prosperous future and understands that students cannot pursue opportunities if they are unaware. She is very excited to join the Teacher Ambassador Program to support school staff and students in developing the next generation of innovators to be successful in the workforce of an ever-changing world.
Jamie Larmon, Mount Vernon City School District
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Work Based Learning Region: Mid-Hudson
Jaime is a wife and mom of two who loves her career. Jaime is currently a work-based learning coordinator for Mount Vernon City School District where she helps students everyday with their career paths with 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 the DOL while on an unemployment insurance interview. Jaime worked for DOL for almost 6 years. She enjoyed her time spent there but moved on to public school where she could use her experience with DOL and her Work-based learning certification to help students.
Michele Leonardo, Sewanhaka High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Work-Based Learning (WBL) Region: Long Island
Michele Leonardo has been in education for 5 years and holds certifications in Business Education, Work-Based Learning and Educational Technology. Prior to entering education, she worked in a variety of industries in the Human Resources field and recently completed her Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Michele is passionate about the field of Career and Technical Education and has been a participant in the Leadership Fellows Program at both the state and national level with NYSACTE and ACTE. She serves as a board member for LIBTA, NYSCREA and NYSACTE and enjoys the collaborative nature of educators working together to meet common goals. She is excited to be a part of the Teacher Ambassador Program, to understand the initiatives of the Department of Labor and to be able to make connections between educators’ roles and goals through a broader scope. Michele believes that the more organizations we have working together, the better support we can provide to students, industries and stakeholders.
Rebecca Martino, Vestal High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: School Counselor Region: Southern Tier
Rebecca Martino is a high school counselor at Vestal High School where she has worked for twenty years. She works with grades 9-12, and the best part about her job is getting to work with students for all four years they are in high school. During those four years, she really gets to know her students well. She learns about their interests, goals for the future, friends, milestones, and shares the good and bad times. If she's lucky she works with their siblings too, so she has families that span over many years. Rebecca is a graduate of Elmira College where she earned her master’s in education, and has certification in School Counseling from Alfred University. In her spare time Rebecca enjoys running half marathons, playing tennis, but mostly spending time with her amazing daughter and family. Rebecca is excited to be a part of the Teacher Ambassador Program because it's something new and unique. Over the years in education, students, careers, etc. have really changed, and she wants to be part of a new change that will move with the times. Rebecca is ready for a new project!
Alison Matthews, Harborfields High School
Grades: 10-12 Subject: Business Work-Based Learning Region: Long Island
Dr. Alison Matthews currently serves as the Business Department Coordinator and Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Harborfields CSD. In this role, Alison facilitates student internships, coordinates the Harborfields Industry Advisory Board (IAB), and instructs the Career Awareness courses. She also oversees the NYS Approved Business & Entrepreneurship and Education and Child Development Pathway programs at Harborfields High School, and is the advisor to the Business & Marketing Honor Society, Multicultural club and DECA club. Alison is a member of the district’s strategic planning, technology, and black history month committees. She was recently selected by her school district as the recipient of the SCOPE Teacher Service Award. Alison received her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Delaware State University, her Master of Science in educational technology from LIU/Post, where she also completed an advanced certificate in school building leadership, and recently obtained her Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and supervision at St. John’s University. In her free time, Alison enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is excited to be part of the Teacher Ambassador Program this summer. She feels this program is a great way to learn more about the local labor market, emerging fields, and career exploration, and plans to use this information to improve experiences and outcomes for her students.
Kimberly McEwen, Depew Union Free School District
Grades: 9-12 Subject: School Counseling Region: Western New York
Kim grew up in West Seneca and went to Mt. Mercy Academy for High School. She then went to Canisius College where she earned a BA in Psychology and then an MS in Counselor Education. Her first counseling job was with the Town of Lancaster where she worked as a Counselor at the Youth Bureau. She has been with the Depew Union Free School District for over 26 years and has worked at all three building levels. She enjoys being outdoors in nature, bird watching, animals of all kinds and thrift store shopping. She loves working with the high school students because it is gratifying to see them mature and grow over the four years. She especially enjoys helping them with their post-secondary planning. Kim is excited to learn anything and everything through the Teacher Ambassador Program and look forward to bringing this knowledge back to her school.
Erin Mellander, Vestal Middle School
Grades: 6-8 Subject: Special Education Region: Southern Tier
Erin Mellander was born and raised in Endwell, NY. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from graduated from SUNY Geneseo and a master’s degree in education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. Erin returned to college in 2022 to obtain her English Language Learning certification. She has worked in Special Education for over 18 years in Maryland, Virginia, and New York in the Binghamton City School District. During her time in Binghamton, Erin served on the Math advisory panel for New York State and became a New York State Master Teacher. She also served as a math mentor to her colleagues for several years and was involved in many extracurricular activities for students. In 2021, Erin took a Special Education position at Vestal Central School District and is currently working as a self-contained teacher in the sixth grade. She loves forming a connection with students and feels that her connection with students is what makes her successful in teaching. Erin is very excited about the Teacher Ambassador Program because as part of her job as Special Educator, career planning is vital part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. She hopes she will be able to share what she has learned with her colleagues.
Mary Jo Nicholson, LaFayette Junior/ Senior High School
Grades: 7-12 Subject: Technology Region: Central New York
Mary Jo began her educational career as a teaching assistant (TA); she was encouraged by a technology education teacher with whom she worked as a TA in his room to pursue a degree in technology education. Mary Jo left her teaching assistant position to begin her college studies to become a technology education teacher. She completed her certification in technology education and received her Master of Education from SUNY Oswego. She is permanently certified in both technology education and business and distributive education. When asked what Mary Jo enjoys about teaching, her response is her students. They are the highlight of her day. She. Is also known for her influence outside of the classroom- she encouraged her husband to make a career change to becoming a technology education teacher as well. Mary Jo enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. They enjoy the Finger Lakes and Great Lake in the summer, gardening, riding ATVs, and time in the Adirondacks. Mary Jo believes the teacher ambassador program will allow her district to bridge the gaps between the private sector and education and afford the students the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
Stella Oduro, Bronx Leadership Academy II
Grades: 9-10 Subject: Special Education Region: New York City
Stella Oduro is a Special Education teacher in the South Bronx. She has been teaching for the past five years, working in various subjects. She enjoys helping her students improve and achieve their goals. She loves to have intellectual conversations with her students and find different ways she can improve her skills to help her students achieve their dreams and goals. She is excited about the Teacher Ambassador Program because it is an opportunity to learn and build a relationship with organizations and businesses that her students can have access to in their education journey. When she is not teaching, Stella enjoys reading, watching Korean dramas, and writing poetry. Stella’s favorite writer is Maya Angelou.
Meghan Osetek, Ray Middle School
Grades: 7 Subject: Family and Consumer Sciences Region: Central New York
Megan Osetek was born and raised in Oswego, NY. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany and a Master of Science in Education from SUNY Oswego. She teaches 7th grade Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) and loves it because FACS teaches students how to be successful in their personal, family, and career lives. Outside of teaching, she loves to go bike riding, hiking, and camping, or do anything active, especially when it involves the outdoors. She loves to spend time with her family and friends and loves to travel whenever she can. Megan is very excited to be a part of the Teacher Ambassador Program because it is crucial to bridge the gap between schools and businesses. She believes students need to know what they want to do in life; they need to be able to know what jobs are out there for them; what those jobs entail; and what it will take for them to reach their full potential.
Amneris Puscasu, Marymount School of New York
Grades: K-12 Subject: Vocational Skills Region: New York City
Amneris has over 15 years of experience in K-12 and higher education. Amneris started her professional career as a violinist before transitioning into education. She currently teaches at Marymount School of New York where she also leads a program of 80+ learners. Amneris also serves as an advisor and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students at University College London where she is finishing her Ph.D. Outside her career, Amneris volunteers as a trained crisis counsellor for a national crisis and suicide prevention hotline. As a teacher, Amneris is passionate about helping others learn, grow, and achieve their full potential. Amneris finds teaching very rewarding, and she loves both the diversity of the work and the privilege to influence others. She is very excited to join the Teacher Ambassador Program for the chance to learn from top professionals how to guide young people to make career choices. Amneris holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers University. She is currently finishing a Ph.D. in Education at UCL Institute of Education, University College London where she is researching how young people use the past to make sense of their lives and construct their identities.
Gretchen Schlicht, Adirondack Middle School
Grades: 4-8 Subject: Instrumental Music Region: Mohawk Valley
Gretchen Schlicht has been a music educator in Boonville, NY for 16 years. Her favorite part about teaching is working with people every day. As a high school and college student, Gretchen worked at Schoharie Valley Farms, a produce farm. After high school, Gretchen attended SUNY Potsdam and received degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. In her free time, Gretchen enjoys outdoor activities including skiing, biking, and gardening. She is excited about the Teacher Ambassador Program and is looking forward to meeting new people and further building a connection between the community and schools.
Rawle Shewprashad, Temple Hill Academy
Grades: 7-8 Subject: Home and Career Skills Region: Mid-Hudson
Dr. Rawle Shewprashad is a surgically trained podiatrist turned educator. He is certified to teach Career and Technical Education (CTE) Personal Training. Rawle received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from SUNY Brockport and his Doctorate from NY College of Podiatric Medicine. His favorite part of teaching is when students apply knowledge learned in class to their life. Rawle is excited to learn and contribute to the Teacher Ambassador Program. His hobbies include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
Shauna Sitts, Galway High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Business Region: Capital Region
Shauna Sitts has been a business educator for the last 14 years and a Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator for the last three years. She has an associate degree in office technology Word Information Processing from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, a bachelor’s degree in vocational education from SUNY Oswego, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Rose. She also holds a Professional Certification in Business and Marketing Distributive Education, grades 7-12. Shauna is excited to enter the classroom each day ready to teach her students the skills that will set them up for future success regardless of what life looks like for each student when they leave high school. It is her responsibility to make sure her students have the tools and knowledge to be a successful, contributing global citizens. Shauna puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into building relationships and is looking forward to making connections during her time in the Teacher Ambassador Program. She is also eager to bring new information to the classroom and share with her student’s industry specific data. Shauna is married with two girls. Her family loves to spend time traveling, hiking, swimming, playing yard games and enjoy downhill skiing in the winter.
Suzanne Sodoma, Brockport High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Personal Financial Planning, Essential Computing Skills, College Prep 11 and College Prep 12 Region: Finger Lakes
Sue Sodoma is a teacher at Brockport High School where she has dedicated over three decades of her professional life. As an alumna of the school, Sue's commitment to her students' success goes beyond the typical boundaries of a classroom. For the past ten years, she has held multiple leadership positions, including Department Chair and Career Internship Coordinator, while teaching various Business subjects.
Sue's academic achievements include her undergraduate degree from SUNY Oswego and her graduate degree at Nazareth College. While Sue's passion lies in education, she also enjoys outdoor activities during her free time. Whether it's gardening, going on hikes, or exploring scenic biking trails, Sue cherishes the beauty of the outdoors. She also enjoys coaching tennis, playing pickleball and practicing yoga. Sue's dedication to teaching has been unwavering throughout her career, as she consistently strives to empower her students and foster their personal and professional growth. Her enthusiasm for education and her genuine care for her students make her a cherished and respected member of the Brockport High School community. Sue is excited to connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals in the Teacher's Ambassador program. Her goal is to acquire valuable insights and knowledge in the field of workforce development, which she can then bring back to her school to assist students in exploring various career pathways.
Mark Veronica, Canisius High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: School counseling Region: Western New York
Dr. Mark Veronica has been a School Counselor for over 20 years, including five years in public high schools and over 17 years at Catholic high schools. He has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from SUNY Buffalo. He is president of the High School Counselors' Association of Western New York. Mark is eager to learn more about local labor market trends to better advise students about future career opportunities. He has four sons, all college graduates, and enjoys running and playing softball.
Carolyn Wallace-Eaton, Little Falls City High School
Grades: 9-12 Subject: Mathematics Region: Mohawk Valley
Carolyn has been a teacher since 2001, specializing in grades 7-12 Mathematics. For the last 15 years she has been at Little Falls City High School (LFHS) and has been Department Chair since 2016. She holds a NYS Permanent Teaching Certificate, a master’s degree in Math Education from Syracuse University, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Niagara University, and an associate degree in liberal studies from Cazenovia College. The best part of teaching is that every day is a mystery; no two days are the same. Plus, every year she gets to meet and build relationships with hundreds of new students and to help them realize their potential! Her hobbies include camping, hiking, biking, and reading sci-fi or fantasy novels. She is most excited about learning about new opportunities from the DOL to share with her district, and more importantly with her students.
Thomas Westcott, Owego Free Academy
Grades: K-12 Subject: Career Education, background in School Counseling Region: Southern Tier
Thomas Westcott is currently the coordinator of the Owego Apalachin Career Center and a career counselor for the Owego Apalachin Central School District since. Before this position, he was a school counselor at Owego Free Academy for the OA district, a middle school counselor for the Vestal Central School District and a high school counselor for the Little Falls Central School District. Thomas holds a degree in psychology and school counseling from SUNY Oneonta. When Thomas is not at school, he can be found performing at various live music venues throughout the state and east coast or spending time with his wife and three children. Thomas is excited to work with the NYDOL’s Teacher Ambassador Program this summer. He is looking forward to learning more from the program so he can strengthen the career work he does throughout the Owego Apalachin School District and the surrounding community. It will also give him a chance to establish a network of career-minded professionals to learn from and have as resources.
