VITAL EDUCATORS DIRECTORY

With 16 years of experience as a Library Media Specialist, I bring together technology integration with a deep love for literature. My educational background includes a Bachelor's in Economics from Stony Brook University and a Master's in Library Science from Long Island University. I'm passionate about incorporating technology into the classroom and supporting my colleagues in doing the same. Beyond the digital realm, I thoroughly enjoy recommending books to students and friends, fostering a culture of reading and curiosity. In my role, I love collaborating with teachers to design engaging lessons and provide personalized support to students. Staying updated with the latest trends in education is essential to me, and I'm committed to conti

Program Manager for Learning Resources managing services for the 22 school districts in our region including Environmental Education, Distance Learning, Media, Library, and STEM. Each service provides professional development modeling best practices for helping teachers and students experience success. Especially within the Distance Learning CoSer, we aim to provide students opportunities with Video Conference Courses, online courses, and locally developed Moodle courses led by our Distance Learning teachers.

Dr. Susanne Metscher taught in the NYC Department of Education as a classroom elementary school teacher. For the past eight years, Dr. Metscher has worked as a professor, clinical supervisor, and now Chair of the School of Education at Monroe College. She teaches courses that involve learning about the curriculum, literacy development of young children, and the needs and strengths of students with disabilities and other learning needs. She also supports students during their student-teaching experiences by working with them in the field as they grow their teaching skills. She has a passion for diversifying the teaching force and helping develop high quality pre-service teachers ready to enter their careers fully prepared to “be the change."

I am an educator who is passionate about Early Childhood and Special Education. I think that building a strong foundation for our youngest learners sets them up for success in the future.

With 11 years of dedicated teaching experience, Janiqwa brings passion and expertise to the classroom. Her journey in education began after graduating from Spelman College with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Janiqwa furthered her academic pursuits by earning a Master’s in Teaching from the esteemed Relay Graduate School of Education. In 2020, she achieved another milestone by graduating with distinction from Mercy College with a Master’s in Educational Administration. Janiqwa’s love for literature extends beyond the classroom; she is an avid reader and finds solace in watching old detective TV shows. Janiqwa Laster embodies dedication, academic excellence, and a commitment to fostering a nurturing learning environment for her students.

Marissa has over a decade of teaching experience in both special education and as an elementary classroom teacher. She works with district administrators and teachers to leverage instructional technology to meet the diverse needs of students.

Susan Sturm is the Director of the Center for Professional Learning, Innovation, & Creativity at Nazareth University. She has worked as faculty in the early childhood and childhood education field for ten years and has served as co-director for a grant-funded interprofessional program focused on preparing candidates from speech, occupational and physical therapy, social work, creative arts therapy, and early childhood education to become early intervention providers. Susan was the curriculum lead on this project and developed a range of online and hybrid courses focused on early intervention for students in the program, now a recognized advanced certificate program in early intervention at Nazareth University.

Dustin Andrus serves as the Administrator of Managed Technology Services for the PLIC. Dustin’s role at BOCES is to work with school district leaders to to develop comprehensive educational technology initiatives and provide targeted professional learning to support district goals. Dustin provides leadership and oversight of the PLIC Educational Technology Team, which includes both the regional and embedded educational technology specialists, as well as the Model Schools and Distance Learning Services for the PLIC.

Nicole received her bachelors degree in TESOL from Stony Brook University located in Long Island, NY. As a student at Stony Brook, Nicole was assigned to the Kings Park Central School District for her student teaching placement. The following school year, Nicole was offered a job as a full-time ENL teacher at Kings Park High School and has been teaching there ever since. She teaches ENL Stand-Alone and supports English Language Learners in an integrated coteach setting. Nicole received her masters degree in Literacy Education from SUNY Old Westbury. As a member of the LIRBERN Title III Consortium, she is always looking for new and exciting ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.

I am a school counselor with a decade of experience, offering group and individual solution-focused therapy, academic planning, college and career access, restorative conflict mediation, preventative practices, referrals, crisis care, and community building. I collaborate with Virtual Innovators Academy special education, attendance, wellness, and leadership teams. I bring a media arts, feminism, and healing justice background to promote self-awareness and digital citizenship for adolescents in the changing social emotional landscape of technology and communication.

Dedicated educator: with over 25 years of experience with strong clinical abilities and a successful career in both teaching and administration. Proactive and organized with passionate commitment to learning for all students. Establishing high expectations of students and learning leaders; continuously seeking new ways to improve instruction and promote inquiry. Deeply committed to transforming the lives of urban youth through the empowerment of effective teaching and leadership.

Amanda obtained a masters in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany. She has been teaching fourth grade for five years. She has experience teaching in a virtual and hybrid format. She participated in the NYS Item Writer Workshop, facilitated a district book study on emotional intelligence, and is a current member of the DEI Committee, and, the Positivity Project Committee.