Teacher of the Week

Mr. Phelps has been teaching science at Newcomb central school for about 20 years and has a long history of going above and beyond for these students. He not only stays after school for study groups, but he also advises extracurricular clubs at the school. Mr. Phelps always finds a way to make science lessons exciting and fun, and his students look forward to his class. Being the only science teacher for students’ 7th through 12th grade, Mr. Phelps teaches earth science, biology, chemistry, forensics and also teaches college courses for his students. Thanks again to Mr. Garrett Phelps for all that he does!

Ms. Palmateer is an extremely caring and encouraging teacher who deeply cares about the littlest students. She encourages them to try new things and to enjoy every step of their day. Every new class brings individual challenges and the growth that Ms. Palmateer achieves with each student is a joy to see. Thanks again to Ms. Mary Palmateer for all she does for her pre-k students at Hoosic Valley Central Schools! She is the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Bean’s dedication to teaching, along with nurturing her students with defined rules and expectations, is remarkable. She is also an excellent resource for other teachers as she will selflessly give her time to any teacher with questions or if they need help. Mrs. Bean is the definition of a team player and Granville Elementary School is fortunate to have her on the staff. Thanks again to Mrs. Kim Bean for all she does at Granville Elementary School! Mrs. Bean’s commitment to her student’s is why she was the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Please help TCT FCU congratulate this week’s Teacher of the Week, Miss Jessica Lourie. Jessica is a math teacher at Greenwich High School and is an asset to both students and staff. Miss Lourie teaches algebra 2 and a-p stats and is a great educator. Since learning math can be difficult, she is often seen helping students first thing in the morning before classes start as well as again after school. Miss Lourie is also co-advisor for the yearbook committee, handles students accounts and is active with the Greenwich Teachers Association. Thanks, and congratulations once again to Miss Jessica Lourie for all she does for the Greenwich Central school’s students and community!

Mrs. Soper makes learning fun for her students and takes the time to get to know each child individually. She leads many clubs and activities for students including the elementary school book club, high school youth and government, she coaches elementary soccer and basketball, serves in the school’s PTO, and is active in the Bolton booster club. Mrs. Soper and her work impact the lives of students at many different grade levels. Thanks to Mrs. Tammy Soper for all she does at Bolton Central School that’s why you are the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union!

Mrs. Grundler’s love for her Special Education students is evident in everything she does. She makes it a point to build a rapport with her students and their parents. Many of Mrs. Grundler’s students face challenges to learning, but she goes above and beyond to help them succeed. Thanks to Mrs. Elise Grundler for all she does for her students at the William H Barton Intermediate school in Queensbury!

Mrs. Hafner genuinely loves each one of her students. She demonstrates patience, kindness, resilience and school spirit through her lessons. Mrs. Hafner makes learning fun and exciting and often takes her class on field trips to the library, Veteran’s Memorial Park, local farms and more. She is everything a parent could hope for in a Kindergarten teacher. Thanks to Mrs. Kellie Hafner for all that she does at the Schroon Lake Central School!

Mrs. Carter has a warm and welcoming smile and a way about her that makes you feel comfortable in her presence.  She takes the time to learn about each of her students and figures out what different methods of teaching will be most successful for each student. Recently Mrs. Carter took her whole Saturday to come to the opening day parade for little league baseball that a few of her students participate in, then she stayed the entire day to watch their games and cheer them on. Mrs. Carter is truly an asset to the Galway School System!

Mrs. VanVranken is one of the most kind and loving teachers. She goes out of her way to help each student with their art projects. Mrs. VanVranken loves to make a special connection with her students and works with them directly to ensure they get their work done. Thanks to Amy VanVranken for all she does at the Queensbury Middle School. That is why she has been selected as this week's Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Dymond not only is an exceptional teacher, but she is also a great role model for her students. She is fun, always engaging, and makes herself available, including summers. Mrs. Dymond ensures that her students have what they need. Even while caring for her ill mother, Mrs. Dymond remained dedicated to the success of her students in and out of the classroom. She’s always thinking about the needs of others, especially her students. She does so much, including bringing in her own snacks and drinks for her students. Generous, kind, caring, and thoughtful, these words are just a few that describe her. Thanks to Mrs. Amanda Dymond for all she does for her students, their families, and the community from TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Martindale is a wonderful educator who always puts her students’ well-being first. Her ability to navigate her students’ emotions and create a safe and healthy learning environment makes her the ideal teacher. Mrs. Martindale sets up lessons where all the students can understand the material. And she works with many of them one-on-one. Thanks to Mrs. Danielle Martindale for all she does at the Hudson Falls Primary School!

Mrs. Edwards makes learning fun and engaging, providing her students with many real-life, hands-on experiences. A recent example of this is the field trip she planned to bring her class to Plattsburgh to view the solar eclipse. She spent months planning this trip so her students could have this amazing opportunity. Mrs. Edwards also has a hydroponic garden in the classroom and an egg incubator so they can hatch chicks. Thanks to Mrs. Kathy Edwards at Queensbury Elementary School, they're learning with wide eyes and smiles!

Driving a school bus is not an easy task, but Mr. Turano makes it look easy. He keeps the kids occupied and gets their minds working early by playing games with them daily. The respect and love shared between the kids and Mr. Turano is immeasurable. He treats the students as if they were his own and parents in the North Warren school district feel lucky to have him there. Thanks to Mr. Mike Turano for all he does to keep the kids safe and busy to and from school each day!

Agriculture is a new class at Cambridge and Ms. Drake has taken the program a long way in a short period of time. She is also FFA Advisor and currently has a student going to States. Ms. Drake inspires her students every day and those students look forward to coming to school because of her efforts. Often, Ms. Drake will spend her planning hours and lunchtime with students. Thanks again to Ms. Brooklin Drake for all she does in Agriculture, the Cambridge community, and the Cambridge school district! TCT Federal Credit Union appreciates all you do and that is why you are this week’s Teacher of the Week!

For many students, coming into Mrs. Collier’s class, Math is not their favorite subject, but how she helps her students to understand Math makes it fun for them to learn! Many students who have struggled with Math come out of Mrs. Collier’s class learning a lot and ready for the next levels of math. The parents of Mrs. Collier’s students are grateful for the turnaround in their child’s understanding of math! Thanks to Mrs. Alicia Collier for all she does at Oliver W. Winch Middle School in South Glens Falls.

Mrs. Baker not only teaches the school band, but she is also the drumline teacher. Recently, the Lake George High School drumline performed at the South High Dance Marathon opening ceremonies. Mrs. Baker invests a lot of time with the drumline students to make the experience memorable year after year! Her passion, time, and dedication are appreciated among her students.

In addition to being an outstanding educator, Mr. Brown is also a Coach and Club Advisor. Recently, Mr. Brown has put in countless hours teaching and coaching students in the Queensbury Robotics Program for grades 4 - 8. He has offered any student interested in the Queensbury Robotics Program a spot on a team and he has worked to empower students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and most importantly, good teammates. Thanks to Mr. Jeremy Brown at the Queensbury Middle School for all of the wonderful things he’s doing for students!

This school year, Mrs. Schwartz has done an amazing job in helping one of her students who struggles with anxiety. She has provided that student with great comfort and helped adjust her to the classroom environment. Anxiety can be hard for children to express, and her insight and caring nature have her tuned in to the well-being of her students. Mrs. Schwartz is also excellent at communicating with parents. She shows great care and love for her students and their parents. Thanks again to Mrs. Ashley Schwartz. 

Ms. Pilch works with her students to give them a fun and educational environment. She engages her students to work hard and her many years as an educator helps her students to succeed. When Ms. Pilch notices a student who is struggling, she provides extra assistance to make sure that each student understands the work. The Granville community and elementary school feel lucky to have Ms. Cara Pilch and so do we at Adirondack Broadcasting and TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mr. Holovach has reinvigorated the performing arts program at Cambridge Central Schools and tripled the student participation in the middle school band.  He fosters a student-centered teaching approach, which is evident in his preparation of the students for both the winter concert and a new college-level theatre class.  Mr. Holovach’s reach extends beyond the classroom and he makes sure the performing arts are visible around the greater Cambridge Community.  Thank You to Mr. Darrell Holovach for all he does in the Cambridge community and central school district. 

Parents who have children in Mrs. Burrall’s class are impressed with the progress they have made so far this year.  Mrs. Burrall goes the extra mile daily and makes coming to school exciting for her students.  She is able to tell where each student is academically and creates goals for them to develop the next-level skills they need to be successful students.  Mrs. Burrall’s parental communication is impressive.  Our chosen nomination can’t express enough about how parents are amazed how she gets it all done.  Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer Burrall, 2nd grade Teacher at the Hudson Falls Primary School for being an extraordinary educator!  We salute you with the Teacher of the Week Award from Adirondack Broadcasting sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.  

Ms. Anderson has a real talent for helping shy students make great strides socially in the classroom.  Parents of her students appreciate the way she cares for each one of her students and she possesses the special “it” factor that kids gravitate to.  Ms. Anderson is dedicated to fostering a strong home-school partnership and is proactive in communicating with parents about their child’s progress at school.  Thanks to Ms. Annamarie Anderson for all she does for the community and Hartford Elementary School!

Mrs. Whitney’s students like her because she is nice and helps everybody all year.  She gets to know all her students and their parents very well, so she can keep everyone updated on their progress in the classroom.  Mrs. Whitney always goes the extra mile to help her students succeed.  Thanks to Mrs. Maria Whitney for all that she does at the Harrison Avenue Elementary School in South Glens Falls! 

Mrs. Purtell consistently makes the school day fun for her class and goes out of her way to make each student feel special. Even students who did not like going to school, now love her class and are learning a lot! Mrs. Purtell's teaching style has helped her students grow in academic results, and the parents appreciate her extra efforts more than Mrs. Purtell could probably imagine. For that reason and many more, Mrs. Jessica Purtell has been selected as the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Ridler is a warm and caring teacher, dedicated to creating a safe learning space where all her students feel welcome and heard. Her holistic teaching style draws students in and encourages them to work both independently and in teams. Mrs. Ridler’s students think that everything she does contributes to making her a great teacher. Thanks to Mrs. Mandi Ridler for all she does at the Salem Central Schools on behalf of all of us at TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Donovan is a true mentor for her students and does everything in her power to ensure her students have the resources they need to be successful! Recently when a student’s car was broken down, she went out of her way to make sure that student had transportation to make it to class. Mrs. Donovan’s door is always open for students when they feel overwhelmed, stressed or having problems with the learning material. Mrs. Donovan truly cares about students being their academic success. Thanks again to Mrs. Dianne Donovan for all she does for her nursing students at WSWHE BOCES in Hudson Falls from all of us at TCT Federal Credit Union!

Mrs. Taylor not only teaches English, but she teaches a special English class through Syracuse University which allows high school seniors to earn college credits. She’s perfect for this course. After taking that class, many of her students feel well-prepared to tackle English classes in college. She prepares students for the workload they’ll experience in college along with the advanced level of that work. She’s compassionate and cares about each student’s individual success every day. Congratulations once again to Mrs. Christina Taylor for being selected as the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week, sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union. Thank you for all that you do for the Corinth school campus and community!

There’s a saying that there is both a science and an art to teaching…and Mrs. Santandrea has mastered both! She is an incredibly hard-working, dedicated, and humble educator who goes above and beyond for both her students and her colleagues. Mrs. Santandrea is quick to adapt to her students’ specific needs and is talented at connecting with her students and teaching them in creative and engaging ways. We are grateful for teachers just like her and that’s why we congratulate and award her the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week Award from TCT Federal Credit Union. Thanks again to Mrs. Christine Santandrea for all that she does for students at Gordon Creek Elementary School in Ballston Spa.

"Ms. Mindy", as her students call her, is truly a rock star in the classroom. She is always going above and beyond the call of duty for not only the students but the community around her. There are so many things she does to give back but she is known for buying clothing and supplies for homeless families, as well as for children in her classroom. She does all this with money out of her own pocket because she knows she is making a difference. What she's doing is positively impacting those who are less fortunate in our community. Ms. Mindy isn't wealthy, but she is rich with kindness and compassion. Ms Mindy is the type of teacher every parent would want for their preschool-age child. Cheers for Ms. Mindy Combs have been heard from her Head Start students, their parents, her co-workers, the administrative staff, and surrounding community members. 

The nomination for Mrs. Kilby described how much she cares for each one of her students. She loves to help her students with their math lessons and works to help them understand how math skills will help them throughout their lives. Math can be challenging, but Mrs. Kilby puts in a lot of time helping her students succeed and perform well on their regent exams each year. She is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to helping them thrive. Thanks to Mrs. Cathy Kilby at the Granville Junior Senior High School for all she does for her students. 

Mrs. Greco shows pure love and support to each one of her students. She has dedicated her life to her career and that is reflected in her work ethic, her passion for education, and her attention to her students. Mrs. Greco is currently on maternity leave, but she still makes sure that she keeps in touch with her substitute teachers and to make sure her students are still doing their best. Thanks to Mrs. Ruby Greco for all she does at Fort Ann Central School!

Ms. Miksch is new this year at Moreau Elementary School and has made an immediate impact on students. She puts all of the students' happiness and safety first and has the biggest heart for her job. She has stayed late after school to be with students while they wait to be picked up by parents keeping their well-being a number one priority. Her efforts so far this year with students are really helping them succeed on many levels. Thanks to Ms. Allie Miksch for all she does for the students at the Moreau Elementary School in South Glens Falls!

Mrs. Girard’s art classes are more than just a class. She allows her students to freely be themselves and really show how creative and artistic they are. Mrs. Girard encourages her students to try new things in a fun and successful way and many of her students express how much they enjoy being in her class. Glens Falls Middle School is lucky to have such a bright, full-of-life, open-minded, and huge-heart of a teacher. And she is a positive role model for students. Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer Girard for all that she does at Glens Falls Middle School!

Mrs. Mosher teaches in the life skills contained classroom at Queensbury Middle School. In addition to her dedication to education, Mrs. Mosher is also an advisor to 7 student organizations including the 8th grade class advisor, the Middle School drama club, and the yearbook committee. She is the most generous teacher you'd ever meet and is the go-to person at the middle school for anything you need. Queensbury Middle School would not be the same without her! Because of those reasons and so much more, this week's Teacher of the Week is Emily Mosher. Congratulations. The Queensbury School Community thanks you as well as Adirondack Broadcasting and TCT Federal Credit Union.

Mrs Seeley is an amazing teacher, each and every morning she comes outside to welcome the students and individually she greets each student with a smile on her face. Her enthusiasm and cheerfulness are what the students need and she brings that every day. Mrs. Seeley is always there for her students plus is also very communicative with their parents. She is always keeping them updated on what is going on in the classroom. Dedicated, passionate, positive, enthusiastic, and caring are just a few keywords describing this week's Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week. Congratulations once again to Amber Seeley from the Warrensburg Elementary School!

Mrs. Caligure specializes in helping her students improve their reading skills and gain confidence as young readers. She was also one of the coaches for “Girls in the Run” this past spring which made a huge difference in the lives of many young girls in Salem. Thanks to Mrs. Tara Caligure for her dedication to teaching and all that she does for her students at the Salem Elementary School!

Miss Hollowood is a remarkable teacher with a fun and energetic personality that shines in her classroom. Her excitement inspires her students and makes going to school a new adventure to look forward to each day. Miss Hollowood is extremely dedicated to her students’ growth, and she helps them build self-confidence that will help them throughout their years of learning. Thanks again to Miss Kerri Hollowood of Corinth Elementary School for all that she does!