VITAL EDUCATORS DIRECTORY

Since January of 2015, Lisa Lorette has served as the ONC BOCES Distance Learning Specialist. Her role involves supporting district students, teachers, and administrators to ensure students acquire the credits necessary for graduation through vendor-created courses. Additionally, Lisa facilitates the use of Learning Management Systems within the region. With her passion for education, she is dedicated to the success of the students in the region and is actively working towards her School Building Leader certificate.

Keri received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta and began her career teaching in a 3rd grade classroom. Over the next two years, Keri obtained her Master’s degree in Literacy Education and began a new career as a 5th grade classroom teacher & Literacy Specialist. Due to budget cuts, Keri’s position at the school was eliminated and she pursued a new career as a Registered Nurse. After 6 years in the medical field, an opportunity opened up for Keri to reenter the education field as a 2nd grade classroom teacher. Since then, Keri has been appointed to a full time role as a Literacy Specialist in the Sharon Springs Central School District where she continues to provide data driven literacy instruction.

Liz Wood is an Instructional Support Specialist for Educational Technology with the PLIC at Broome Tioga BOCES. They have been working with the PLIC since 2021, primarily supporting Binghamton City School District. Previously, Liz taught Special Education at Chenango Valley Central School District as a Direct Consultant and 15:1 teacher. Liz earned their bachelor’s degree in Psychology and their master’s degree in General and Special Education (B-6) from Binghamton University.

Kathryn Gozigian is an English Language Arts teacher with over 9 years in education. Transitioning from in person to virtual instruction at CiTi BOCES Synergy Virtual High School, she has embraced the unique opportunities the virtual setting offers students. Her time as an educator has included a focus on social-emotional learning, differentiated instruction, and special education. Passionate about fostering creativity and a love of learning, her educational approach is tailored to meet individual needs of students, aiming to inspire and engage every student.

Christine Ertola currently teaches Special Education at Minisink Valley High School in Orange County, NY. She earned her B.S. from Hunters College, an M.S. in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute and a M.Ed in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Christine is also a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Registered Behavioral Technician. She has over 20 years of extensive experience working with students with varying abilities. One of her favorite aspects of teaching is helping her students achieve challenging goals. She is very excited to begin her journey as a NYSED Vital Educator, providing training and professional learning to other educators in her region.

Since September of 2012, Bryan Olson has worked to support distance learning at E2CCB. During this time, he has facilitated the Virtual Advanced Placement Grant, the Rural Utilities Services Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant, and the Learning Technology Grant for E2CCB and its participating component districts. He is primarily responsible for the day to day and year to year operations of the E2CCB Distance Learning program. Bryan holds a Masters of Education from the University of Phoenix, professional certifications in Social Studies 7-12 and School District Leadership.

Mary is from Western New York (Buffalo area). and currently teaches 7th grade Mathematics and 7th grade Advanced Mathematics in Dunkirk, NY. She is NYS certified in Childhood Education (1-6), Students with Disabilities (1-6), Mathematics Education (7-12), and Students with Disabilities - Mathematics (7-12). Most of her experience is with Middle-school aged students grades 6-8 although she has taught grades 5-12 in various roles.

Mary is an advocate for appropriate and relevant technology use in the classroom. She utilizes and promotes programs such as DeltaMath, Prodigy Math, IXL, Kahoot, Quizizz, and various Google Apps for Education.

Jaklin Sweis worked in New York City schools for over fourteen years. Prior to becoming an educator, she earned a Masters of Arts degree in English, followed by a Masters of Science in Adolescent Education. Her educational career began as an English teacher; several years later, she earned her certification in Special Education, and worked as a Special Education teacher for nine years. Through the NYC Public Schools Teacher 2 Librarian Cohort, and the New Visions for Public Schools Program, she was awarded a scholarship to Syracuse University’s Masters degree program in Library Science, with a Specialization in School Media. Currently, she is the Library Media Specialist for Adlai E. Stevenson Educational Campus.

Mariella’s passion for education lies in the idea that every child has a unique path to achieving high standards and that equipping children with the skills and confidence necessary to meet and exceed their own goals fosters independence and empowers them to make their own informed decisions as citizens in our local and global communities. Mariella has taught middle school science, STEM, and Computer Science, including self-contained and ICT classes, since 2014. She has a deep knowledge of science literature for children and has spent her career curating both digital and physical science libraries for her students. She is a 2018 National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar and a 2019-2027 Math for America Master Science Teacher Fellow.

Instructional Specialist with passion for using technology to facilitate authentic, transformative learning experiences for each and every learner he encounters. A certified NYS educator in the area of Adolescence Education in Biology with a Middle Level Extension. Over 8 years of classroom teaching experience working with adolescent learners in grades 6-10; 5 years of instructional technology integration experience; 3 years of consulting experience for a culturally and linguistically responsive professional development organization; and one year of instructional coaching experience. Committed to infusing culturally and linguistically responsive practices into his pedagogy to validate and affirm each and every learner with whom he works.

Megan Wallner is a 9th grade life science teacher at a neighborhood public school in Brooklyn, NY, having taught there for 15 years. Megan actively differentiates curriculum for special populations, including students with disabilities and English Language Learners. At her school, Megan serves as a mentor teacher, offering guidance and support to new classroom teachers. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, Megan is also a current “Math for America Master Teacher Fellow”, having learned and facilitated in over 200+ hours of in-person and virtual professional learning in this community of mathematics and science educators.

Terri Grey has been a principal in New York City for over 20 years. She has also served as a founding school member in the capacity of teacher, assistant principal, and principal co-designing and implementing innovative school models. She proudly serves as the founding principal of Virtual Innovators Academy, New York City’s and New York State’s first virtual high school.