Sherry Guice, EdD. has been teaching in some capacity since 1984, primarily in middle school and higher education. Sherry’s desire to learn and teach others about reading and literature has led her in many paths: graduate school at the University of Georgia, a researcher at the National Research Center on Literature Teaching and Learning, Outreach Director for the National Research Center on English Learning and Achievement, Reading Specialist at South Colonie CSD, and leader of numerous study groups on professional books and books for children. Sherry has worked in the Capital Region for decades to promote wide reading among teachers and students by reading with teachers, promoting Little Free Libraries, and learning side by side with children and teachers.

Throughout her career, Sherry has been honored to be recognized by her peers for her commitment and service to the education community. She has received the School of Education Excellence in Teaching Award, and was awarded the Research on Women Small Grants Program with Dr. Anne Roberts and the Reading Department Discretionary Monetary Grant, all from the University at Albany. She was also awarded the United University Professions (UUP) Faculty Development Grant.

Sherry’s work has been published in many professional publications, including English Journal, Peabody Journal of Education, English Update, Our Children – The National PTA Magazine, the Handbook for Literacy Educators, the School Administrator, and more. Additionally, her work has been presented at the national level, as well as at the local state and regional levels. Sherry is grateful for the many opportunities she has had to share both her work and her love of reading and literature with educators throughout the Capital Region.

Sherry currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board, a position she has held since 2015. In addition, Sherry is a member of the Albany Area Reading Council, the New York State Reading Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The International Literacy Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Kate Gurley has been fortunate to spend her entire career at the Burnt Hills - Ballston Lake CSD. She started as a 4th grade teacher in 1989 and continued this position for 19 years. She then became the Professional Development Coordinator for the district in 2008. It was a full-time position for the first year and then the position was cut in half the next year, so she taught half-day kindergarten for the other half of her time. She did that for four years until she became the K-12 ELA and Reading RTI/AIS Supervisor for the district in 2013. At BH-BL, the K-12 Supervisors also teach, and Kate was lucky enough to keep her position as the Professional Development Coordinator as her “teaching” duty. She loves every part of this custom-made position.

As soon as Kate became the Professional Development Coordinator for the district, she received a letter from the district’s TA President, asking her to consider joining the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board. Kate has been a policy board member since the 2008-2009 school year when she became the Professional Development Coordinator.

In her role as the Professional Development Coordinator, Kate has coordinated, facilitated, and led many professional learning opportunities for the educators in her district. In her role as the K-12 Supervisor, she has worked on curriculum and assessments, and sets criteria for Reading RTI and AIS. Her favorite part of the job is providing enrichment opportunities for high-leveled readers in grades K-2. This year, she is also providing Reading RTI to 1st graders.

In addition to being the Co-Chair of the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board, Kate is also on the board of directors for CAPTAIN Community Human Services. She was on the Community Human Services Board of Directors for years before merging with CAPTAIN in 2017. Here she serves as the 1st Vice President and Vice President of Programs, and is in-line to become the President in the future.

Kerry Babson is an AIS Reading Teacher at Hartford Elementary School, in the Hartford Central School District. She has extensive experience teaching in both the general education classroom, as well as the special education classroom. She has taught both in self-contained special education classrooms and as an integrated co-teacher/consultant teacher. She is the secretary for the Hartford Faculty Association and the advisor for the Hartford Elementary Student Government. Additionally, Kerry currently serves on the Policy Board for the Iroquois Reading Council. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from the College of St. Rose, a Masters in Literacy from SUNY Albany, and is a certified Teacher Leader.

Robert L. Bangert-Drowns is dean emeritus of the School of Education at the University at Albany, and currently serves on the faculty of the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology. Dr. Bangert-Drowns is widely cited for his research on various aspects of instructional design, including the effects of digital technology in education, the impact of writing on learning, the relationship between frequency of testing and academic achievement, and the role of instructional feedback in learning. His most recent research has focused on how different forms of student engagement influence what and how students learn. He earned his joint Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1986 and joined the faculty of the University at Albany in 1987. In 1988, Dr. Bangert-Drowns established the Albany Consortium for Research in Instructional Design and Theory (ACRIDAT), a forum and work group for students and faculty interested in research on instruction, which he continues to direct.

Dr. Bangert-Drowns was dean of the School of Education from 2008 to 2018. During that time, he helped navigate the School and University through the years of the Great Recession. He helped to grow the teacher preparation pipeline, introduce the first undergraduate major in education to the University in 40 years, establish a suite of online graduate degree programs ranked in the top 10 of the nation, expand the School’s and University’s community engagement, host the Capital Region’s chapter of the NYS Master Teacher Program, and support the School’s Capital District Writing Project. He led the design of a new physical home for the School of Education that would better accommodate a 21st century education, the first move of the School since the University’s establishment in 1963.

Dr. Bangert-Drowns strives to promote the teaching profession, the quality of teacher preparation, and the construction of evidence-based knowledge about learning and effective education in and out of schools. With his wife, he recently founded the Bangert-Drowns Endowment for Diversity in Teaching and Educational Leadership to provide financial support for University at Albany African-American students seeking to enter the education profession. He teaches courses in instructional theory, instructional technology, learning engagement, and scholarly writing.

Sandie Carner-Shafran recently retired from her position as a Teaching Assistant in the Special Education Program for Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES, an organization she proudly served for more than 38 years. She served as Chairperson for the NYSUT School Related Professionals State Advisory Committee, held the positon of Co-Chair of NYSUT’s Task Force on School Related Professionals, was a member of the American Federation of Teachers Program & Policy Council, and was appointed to the Advisory Board for The National Skills Standards Instruction for Paraprofessionals. Sandie was awarded the prestigious 2009 AFT Albert Shanker Pioneer Award, the NYSUT SRP of The Year Award, and she represented New York State at NEA for ESP of the Year.

Sandie is currently an At-Large Director serving on the Executive Council of NYSUT, an elected Executive BOD officer of Saratoga Adirondack BOCES Association Local 10-190 and a Policy Board Member of the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Sandie serves on the New York State Committee of Practitioners Committee, and is Trustee of the Saratoga Labor Council. She is involved in her community by spearheading and volunteering at Drive-thru Food Banks and making masks for frontline workers.

As an SRP Professional Development Program Trainer with NYSUT’s Education and Learning Trust and a Coordinator for SRP Programs for NYSUT’s ELT Program, Sandie helps develop and conduct workshops. Sandie is on numerous Committees at NYSUT to promote the voice and role of School Related Professionals at work and in their communities. She is always advocating for funding for public education and for NYS Teacher Centers.

Emily Erk is currently a Living Environment and Forensics Teacher at Troy High School, in the Troy City School District. In addition, she works as a teacher in the Sunset Alternative Learning Program, also through the district. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from Binghamton University and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Union Graduate College, Emily taught middle school science at Queensbury MS. She is proud to be a member of the Science Teacher Association of New York State and the National Association of Biology Teachers. Emily recently completed her own professional learning program through the Rensselaer Center for Stem Cell Researchers Pre-College Teachers Program.

Amanda Esposito is currently a 7th and 8th Grade Mathematics Special Education Teacher at Catskill Middle School, in the Catskill Central School District. In her third year of teaching for the district, Amanda teaches both 7th and 8th Grade Self-Contained (12:1:1) Mathematics and Integrated Co-Taught Math for 7th and 8th Grade. In addition, she is the Integrated Co-Teacher in Mathematical Applications for students in Grades 9-12. Additionally, Amanda is a Case Manager for 9 students, and she services over 30 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) daily. She graduated from The College of Saint Rose in May of 2021 with a combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education in Mathematics Adolescent Education/Special Education.

Amanda is a proud member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State and the New York State Association of Mathematics Supervisors. She is also enrolled in the Texas Instruments T3 Teacher Leader Cadre Program, which encourages and supports educators in implementing research-based effective teaching practices in the classroom and uses TI technology as an asset to students and their learning. Throughout the TLC Program, Amanda has been collaboratively working with colleagues from around the country on creating and sharing the use of technology into their classrooms, effective practices for teaching, and creating and innovating new ideas to improve student learning and motivation.

Karen Fox, Director of Educational Initiatives, has been with the Capital Region Chamber since 2007. She is responsible for heading-up business partnerships for Capital Region BOCES two new P-TECH schools in the Capital Region. Prior responsibilities included managing the Chamber’s professional development programs - Leadership Tech Valley, and the Business Intern Partnership with the Huether School of Business at the College of Saint Rose. In her role with Leadership Tech Valley, she was responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the ten-month interactive program that provides skill development and community immersion experiences for professionals in the Capital Region. Her responsibilities with the Huether School of Business at the College of Saint Rose included working with the Director of Internships to identify business internship opportunities, and work with the business students to prepare them for their internship experience. She also piloted the Love SAM (Science and Math) an initiative with GE, and the Teacher Externship program.

In addition to working at the Capital Region Chamber, Ms. Fox is a board member for Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region and the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. She is also represents the Chamber on several advisory committees including the Schenectady Foundation STEM Alliance, Workforce Development and Community Education at SUNY Schenectady, the Business Advisory Board at Mohonasen, and the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education committee, Capital Region STEM Hub and Capital Region Career Jam.

Elaine Garrett is the Parent Representative for the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board. Elaine works for New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) in Research and Educational Services, where she liaises with Teacher Centers across the state. She has worked in the education field for two decades, both in higher education and in educational outreach and programming; including 9 years overseeing K-12 STEM outreach for the SUNY Research Foundation at the Albany Nanotech Complex.

Elaine has served as a PTA officer throughout the Lansingburgh Central School District, and as a parent representative to its SCEP and Family Engagement Committees. She holds a BFA in Film and Photography from Ithaca College and an MA in Museum Studies with a concentration in Education from Syracuse University. In her free time, Elaine enjoys attending arts and cultural events across the region and keeping up with her two teenage sons.

Melissa Gergen has been teaching in area schools for 24 years. She began her career as a Secondary English Teacher before obtaining a second certification in Library Science, allowing her to become a high school librarian. Melissa now teaches at Guilderland High School, and along with her colleague, she operates a busy library program, which features a makerspace area, teen and faculty book clubs, a student-run computer Help Desk, and an independent study program titled EMC, which allows students to study anything they would like for an entire year (or more).

Melissa received her National Board Certification in Library Media in 2005 and thought so highly of the program that she facilitated a cohort for several years, assisting many local educators in working towards their own certification. Melissa believes in the need for high quality professional learning opportunities to support teachers and their work, which led her to join the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board in January of 2018.

Maryanne Harper represents the Non-Public School Teachers on the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board. Maryanne joined the Policy Board in 2009 and continues to be an advocate for teachers and students. She strongly believes in supporting educators by providing access to meaningful and innovative teacher-led professional development, and is a firm believer in creative teaching with a focus on using developmentally appropriate practices with young learners. Maryanne’s past teaching experience includes Head Teacher Pre-K/Kindergarten at Maria College Campus Lab School, and second grade, multi-age Pre-K/ K, and kindergarten teacher at The Albany Academy for Girls. In 2007, she was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year. In 2011, after completing 37 years in private and independent schools, Maryanne retired and was honored by The Albany Academy for Girls with a Certificate of Faculty Emerita after 25 years at the school.

Maryanne earned her M.S. in Early Childhood and her B.S. in Elementary Education from The College of St. Rose, and her A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Maria College. She also holds a permanent NYS certification in Pre-K-Grade 6. Maryanne has presented at several NAEYC Capital District and statewide conferences, designed workshops for college students, and supervised student teachers both in the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to classroom teaching, she also held the position of Faculty Team Leader for Lower School teachers at Albany Academy for Girls for 3 years.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Maryanne enjoys time with her family, playing tennis, and cycling. She and her husband also love to travel. Maryanne is honored to sit on the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board, and to support the Center, and its staff and teachers.

Thomas Kachadurian currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the South Colonie Central School District. With over eight years of experience as the associate principal and four years as the executive principal at Colonie Central High School (CCHS), Mr. Kachadurian has exemplified what it means to be a leader in education. During his tenure in building administration, he demonstrated exceptional leadership overseeing a high school program that serves nearly 1600 students. His responsibilities included managing day-to-day operations, collaborative development of the course curriculum guide including expansion of the career and counseling program, and implementing improvements to student scheduling.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Kachadurian has actively engaged with parents, families, and fellow educators. His visible presence within the school community has fostered a positive and collaborative environment, and he has played a pivotal role in enhancing teacher understanding of curriculum and resources.

Mr. Kachadurian has been a member of several committees at both the school and district levels. He has demonstrated leadership in various roles, notably for the establishment of iCARE, a character education team that has received recognition at the local, state, and national levels.

With over 30 years of elementary classroom experience, Kathleen Maguire currently teaches third grade at Hadley-Luzerne Central School. Kathleen is a National Board Certified teacher in literacy. She serves as a Teacher Leader for her school district, and is responsible for leading and facilitating professional development opportunities within the district. Kathleen is also an Innovative Teacher Leader in technology.

Kathleen holds a Master’s Degree in Reading from SUNY Albany as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursery-6th Grade Education and K-12th Grade Special Education from Buffalo State College. Additionally, she holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood from SUNY Cobleskill.

Kathleen is active in her church and has assisted and taught confirmation classes. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband, Tim, and her three children, Jessica, Andrew and Elizabeth enjoy bike riding, hiking and taking trips together. During her spare time, she enjoys gardening and reading.

Anthony McCann taught English at Shenendehowa High School for 35 years and was the first Policy Board Chair and a founding member of the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center with education leaders from the Capital District School Administrators Association and the University at Albany. Among his many roles in representing teaching professionals, he has served as a member and as the Chair of the Teacher Education and Certification Practices Board (TECAP), a member of the Commissioner’s Task Force on Teaching as a Profession, and as the first teacher member of the Greater Capital District Principals Center.

Born in Ireland, Tony came to Long Island when he was 15 and after graduating from Long Beach High School with a BOCES Electronics certificate and a Regents Diploma, served in the United States Army Signal Corps in Italy. He then earned a BA with a dual major in History and English from Stony Brook University, followed by an MA in English Literature from the University at Albany. Tony was inspired by teachers he observed while in his first teaching assignments as an assistant teacher in the Head Start Program in Harlem and as a member of the National Teacher Corps in West Virginia.

At Shenendehowa, Tony taught a full range of English electives and a course on the Literature of the Holocaust that he helped to develop and taught for over twenty years. Tony later developed and taught an expanded curriculum for a course entitled Literature of the Oppressed. This course has been extremely important to him as he has had a lifelong commitment to promoting civil and human rights for all.

Throughout his professional teaching career, Tony has been recognized for his teaching and has received numerous awards including teacher recognition for the annual Capital District Scholar Recognition award numerous times. Tony was also twice selected to participate in the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Fellowship for Teachers to study the literature of Joseph Conrad and the poetry of William Butler Yeats. After retiring from Shenendehowa, Tony mentored student teachers in their local school district placements for the Russell Sage College Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Tony served as President and Officer of the Shenendehowa Teachers Association and a Board Member of the New York State United Teachers, and has continued in the role of teacher advocate for more than four decades. Tony encourages all teachers to become deeply involved in their profession beyond the classroom. He is opposed to the current test driven teaching model that he asserts makes children anxious rather than inspired, and often stifles their natural love of learning in schools, where a ‘data driven’, rather than ‘data informed’, philosophy prevails.

Tony feels strongly that a deep knowledge of subject matter, combined with passionate enthusiasm for communicating that knowledge, is essential to good teaching. He notes that a good teacher must realize that continuing professional development is essential. “Teaching is not a job; it’s a vocation; there’s always something to learn”. Tony realizes that teaching in today’s classrooms has become much more demanding physically and emotionally. His philosophy of teaching is summarized by his poet hero William Butler Yeats who insisted that: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”

Susan Moore-Palumbo is a National Board Certified Teacher and a NYS Master Teacher emeritus, who taught AP Biology, Living Environment and Forensics for over 30 years. She co-facilitated the North Country National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Support Group for twelve years through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. In addition, Susan created and taught a variety of Forensics workshops with support from the Center. She has written curricula for Forensics, Environmental Science, Living Environment and AP Biology, and also wrote numerous grants to obtain funding for her school district, including a grant that facilitated the start the forensics program.

Susan served as an adjunct professor teaching graduate students Educational Theory and Practice for the Science Classroom at SUNY Albany. She also created curriculum using Zoology, Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Science and Technology for the St. Rose Summer Academy for nine years. She has participated in many workshops and conferences on alternative energy sources, bioproducts and sustainability through Cornell University, ESF and NYSERDA. In 2017, Susan became a Climate Change Reality Leader through Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. She currently serves on the board of the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation, and has previously served on the PNECC Governing Board, the Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Board and Literacy Volunteers Board. Susan proudly volunteers with a number of organizations in Saratoga County.

Alexandra Morazán is honored to serve as the non-public administrative representative on the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board. In this capacity, Alexandra brings her wealth of experience and passion for education to the table, working collaboratively with fellow board members to shape policies and initiatives that support teachers and enhance educational outcomes across the region.

Alexandra embarked on her educational journey at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Elementary Education. Building upon her undergraduate success, Alexandra pursued a Masters in the Arts of Teaching at Simmons College.

Alexandra began her teaching career as a public school teacher in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the Lawrence School where she taught 6th grade math and science for two years before relocating to Miami, Florida. Alexandra found herself transitioning to the Miami-Dade School District, teaching for ten years at Mater Lakes Academy, a public charter school. This unique opportunity presented itself where Alexandra was one of the founding teachers and opened Mater Lakes Middle School, where she taught reading, ELA and history in 6th grade. Health issues with Alexandra’s parents had the Morazán family relocating once again to the Capital District in September of 2019. She was approached with another opportunity to open a new middle school at Green Tech Charter School in Albany, NY. During this time, Alexandra furthered her academic achievements by obtaining a Master of Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

During this time period, Alexandra’s son began kindergarten at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Waterford. Alexandra made the transition from classroom teacher to principal in January of 2023 as she joined Blessed Sacrament School as their head of school.

As a dedicated advocate for professional development and teacher empowerment, Alexandra is committed to ensuring that educators have access to the resources, training, and support they need to excel in their roles. By serving on the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board, she has the opportunity to contribute to strategic decision-making and advocate for policies that prioritize teacher well-being, instructional excellence, and student success.

Kim Pusatere has taught Social Studies at Ballston Spa Middle School for 30 years in the Ballston Spa Central School District. She has served as an Instructional Teacher Leader in a variety of capacities, providing professional development K-12 to faculty and staff. In addition, Kim is the President of the Ballston Spa Teachers Association, and has chaired the District’s Professional Development Committee. Kim has a Master’s Degree in Special Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration.

Kristine Raskopf holds a Master of Science degree in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Technical Theatre, both from SUNY New Paltz. She earned her permanent certification in the area of Special Education, K-12, and also holds a teaching certificate for Theatre. After many years of substitute teaching and tutoring for the Greenville School District, she began her first teaching assignment working in a bridge program with students with learning disabilities in grades 6-8. The following year, Kristine moved to the high school, working with 11th grade students in a Resource Room format. When the school district began offering the International Baccalaureate program, she was asked to offer courses in Theatre at both the standard and high levels. Kristine developed an upper level theatre course that could be taken for college credit. For over 20 years, she has proudly served as the Lighting Designer & Technical Director for theater productions at Greenville High School and Middle School.

The professional learning programs at Greater Capital Region Teacher Center have always been an integral part of Kristine’s teaching career, and the backbone of her continuing education. The rich variety of programs available gave her ample opportunity to deepen her knowledge and bolster her teaching skills, to best support her students. Kristine feels honored to serve as a policy board member and believes that now, more than ever, the Center is crucial in providing critical programs and learning opportunities for area educators. As a retired teacher, she continues to explore Greater Capital Region Teacher Center programs, and is currently learning about Google Workspace in an effort to support her return to work as a substitute teacher and tutor.

Sherry Guice, EdD. has been teaching in some capacity since 1984, primarily in middle school and higher education. Sherry’s desire to learn and teach others about reading and literature has led her in many paths: graduate school at the University of Georgia, a researcher at the National Research Center on Literature Teaching and Learning, Outreach Director for the National Research Center on English Learning and Achievement, Reading Specialist at South Colonie CSD, and leader of numerous study groups on professional books and books for children. Sherry has worked in the Capital Region for decades to promote wide reading among teachers and students by reading with teachers, promoting Little Free Libraries, and learning side by side with children and teachers.

Throughout her career, Sherry has been honored to be recognized by her peers for her commitment and service to the education community. She has received the School of Education Excellence in Teaching Award, and was awarded the Research on Women Small Grants Program with Dr. Anne Roberts and the Reading Department Discretionary Monetary Grant, all from the University at Albany. She was also awarded the United University Professions (UUP) Faculty Development Grant.

Sherry’s work has been published in many professional publications, including English Journal, Peabody Journal of Education, English Update, Our Children – The National PTA Magazine, the Handbook for Literacy Educators, the School Administrator, and more. Additionally, her work has been presented at the national level, as well as at the local state and regional levels. Sherry is grateful for the many opportunities she has had to share both her work and her love of reading and literature with educators throughout the Capital Region.

Sherry currently serves as the Co-Chair for the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board, a position she has held since 2015. In addition, Sherry is a member of the Albany Area Reading Council, the New York State Reading Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The International Literacy Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Dalisa Soto-Peruzzi is a Queens native, Dominican-American music educator who has been directing the middle-school level choral program at the Greater Amsterdam School District since 2015. In this role, she leads her three ensembles by centering the power of diversity and multiculturalism. With the support of her school administration, Dalisa has led workshops for her peer educators on a variety of topics which speak to the importance of recognizing the uniqueness of students, in order to build a diverse and inclusive school culture. Additionally, she has also instructed in Albany, NY and Queens, NY.

Dalisa earned her Bachelor's Degree in K-12 Education, with a focus on Music Education and Bilingual Education Extension, from the College of Saint Rose. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Music Education from Boston University. As a proud Latina and the first college graduate in her family, Dalisa understands the unique strengths and needs of underrepresented communities. She believes that through arts education, especially through music, all students can be empowered to find their own voice and step into their true potential. Dalisa’s work has been featured in NYSUT United, as well as in several local newspapers.