March 2008
It is with pleasure that the Curriculum, Instruction, and Instructional Technology (CIIT) team welcomes six new members. Each new team member is committed to academic excellence for all students in New York State and possesses respected leadership abilities and an enthusiastic and strong work ethic. Contact information for these new team members is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/aboutus.htm .
Reading/Literacy
Tracey Bennett became Assistant in Instructional Services (Literacy/Reading) in November 2007. She began her teaching career in the Guilderland Central Schools where she enjoyed teaching and learning for over fifteen years. Her experience in their middle school, as a language arts and social studies teacher for sixth graders, bridged the gap from the elementary school where she taught a self-contained 4th and 5th grade class. In addition, she team taught in an inter-age, self-contained class with grades 3 and 4 students. Tracey has co-authored an article in the English Record and a chapter in Reading to Learn, Exemplary Fourth grade Teachers. She is also one of the featured teachers in the book Choice Words. Tracey has served as an adjunct professor at Sage Graduate School and as a literacy staff developer at the Capital Region BOCES Literacy Center. Her most recent professional experience has been as a Reading First coach at an Albany charter school. Tracey considers herself to be a life-long learner who has a passion for serving youth.
Cindy Williams assumed her role as Associate in Instructional Services (Literacy/Reading) in December 2007. She brings a broad range of teaching experience from prekindergarten through graduate level, with particular experience in Reading First, Early Reading First, data collection/analysis, and technology implementation. She has worked in Syracuse City and Moravia Central Schools, at Onondaga Community College, and as an online instructor for Nova’s Masters in Reading program. She has co-presented at numerous conferences, addressing such timely educational concerns as Promoting Literacy Development in a Special Needs Pre-kindergarten Classroom Through the Use of Scientifically Based Reading Research and Differentiated Instruction and Teams That Work: A Successful Early Reading First Collaboration Between Urban Public Pre-kindergarten Program and a Community-based Child Care Center to Improve Literacy Instruction for Preschoolers. Her Applied Dissertation is entitled: Increasing the Likelihood of Reading Success in Kindergarten Students Through Early Literacy Intervention. Cindy brings to the team in-depth knowledge, enthusiastic commitment, and extensive professional development experience. Her primary goal is to foster academic achievement for all New York State students.
School Library Services
John Brock, Associate in Instructional Services (School Library Services), joined the team in December 2007. He previously served as Director of the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES School Library System. In addition, his experience has been as a School Library Media Specialist at Enloe High School and in the Dundee Central Schools. He graduated from Haverford College with a BA in Music and completed his MLS at Syracuse University, while working as a School Library Services intern with the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES. John brings to the team knowledge of school libraries, an understanding of data use to inform school improvement efforts, and a strong commitment to programs for helping students.
Joanne Parnes Shawhan, Associate in Instructional Services (School Library Services), joined the team in December 2007. She graduated from Barnard College, earned a Ph.D. in History from Columbia University, and began a new career as a school librarian; she earned her MLS at the State University at Albany. Until joining the team, Joanne served as School Library Media Specialist and Library Department Chair at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School. She previously worked in the Niskayuna and Bethlehem schools as a library assistant, grant writing consultant, and researcher. Joanne brings to her work a proactive stance, strong professional contributions, and a focus on continuous improvement.
Technology Education
Philip Dettelis, Assistant in Instructional Services (Technology Education), joined the team in September 2007. Previously, he taught at Erie 1 BOCES – RIC and in the Niagara Falls School District. Phil brings a broad range of teaching experience from prekindergarten through grade 12 as a traditional classroom teacher (Technology/Business Education and Energy/ Transportation Systems ), a BOCES teacher (computer programming), and a professional development coordinator (Investments/Finance and Learning Styles). In addition, he has extensive background in video production and has served as a camera man, controller, and director on local cable TV shows.
Arts Education
Leslie Yolen, Associate in Instructional Services (Visual Arts), joined the team in February 2008. Leslie comes to the team with a solid background in visual arts education. She is an experienced art teacher and artist who has a background in curriculum development, instructional planning, and professional development. For over 15 years, she taught visual arts in Capitol District schools - including Niskayuna, Mohonasen, and Bethlehem. Additionally, Leslie has been a visiting artist, a ceramicist, a director of an arts camp, a gallery director, and an owner of a pottery business. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries and shows nationally.