-
This feature spotlights a different Pine Valley staff or faculty member every week.
Megan Emory
Megan Emory is a first grade teacher at Pine Valley Elementary School and is this week’s featured #PeopleBehindThePanther spotlight! Megan began her time at PVES last year as a long-term substitute kindergarten teacher.“My favorite part of the day is interacting with my students,” she said. “Each child comes into the room every day with an interesting story or a unique perspective and being able to connect with my students makes each day special!”As a member of the #PantherFamily, she also wants families to know how grateful she is to be a member of the Pine Valley community: “When I started here last February everyone was so welcoming and I continue to feel that still. I am loving my journey at Pine Valley, and I am excited to see where my future here takes me!”Thanks for all you do, Ms. Emory!Marsha SmithMarsha Smith, an aide at Pine Valley Central School, is the week’s #PeopleBehindThePanther spotlight!
A graduate of PVCS, Mrs. Smith has worked for the district for the last 14 years and previously volunteered.“A couple years were spent as a library aide in both buildings, but mostly I have been an aide in both general and special education classes and as a 1:1 support,” said Mrs. Smith.“My favorite part of any day is seeing students enjoying learning or discovering a book or author that they enjoy reading, as well as their pride when they accomplish their goals,” she added. “ I enjoy watching them mature and discover over the years. I have been pleased to be able to support so many different amazing classrooms and their teachers.”Mrs. Smith is a resident of Cherry Creek with her husband Matt and two children Loren and Luisa. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, sewing, and spending time with her family.Thanks for all you do, Mrs. Smith!
Zachary Len
Zach Len is a physical education teacher at Pine Valley Central School and this week’s #PeopleBehindThePanther spotlight.
Mr. Len started with us in October of 2021 and says the “best part of my day is coming into Pine Valley, seeing all the students/staff and interacting with them daily.”
“I also like how close this school district is,” Mr. Len said. “It seems like everyone knows each other which is awesome!”
Mr. Len said that he’d like his students to remember him “by how fun my class is.”
“If the students are having a bad day, I want them to leave my class knowing that they had fun in my class,” he said. “I also want to make sure I leave an impact on all my students to make sure they pursue their goals.”
Thank you for all you do, Mr. Len!
Kyle Cunningham
Kyle Cunningham is a Pine Valley Elementary School physical education teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Mr. Cunningham started with us in the fall of 2021 and loves being a physical education teacher here at Pine Valley!
“The students and teachers here are incredible and getting to see how excited the students get when they come to the gym is one of the best parts of my day” says Kyle.
Something she would like people to know is that he is from Buffalo, NY and played soccer for St. Bonaventure University, graduating in 2020.
Thank you for all that you do, Mr. Cunningham!
Jill SzumigalaJill Szumigala is a Pine Valley High School English teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Mrs. Szumigala started in the fall of 2004 and has been with us for 18 years!
“The best part of the day is the end of the day, not because I get to go home, but because it is the time that I can reflect on what happened” says Jill. “I can think about all the cool moments that happened in classes and use that to figure out what to do next”.
Something she would like people to know is that she just really loves spending time with kids. “Whether it is coaching softball or volleyball, working through an essay, just chatting or whatever.... I just think they are fun to be around, and I think it helps keep me feeling young” says Mrs. Szumigala.
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Szumigala!
Amanda MillerAmanda Miller is a Pine Valley Elementary School K-6 counselor and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Amanda started in the fall of 2006 and has been with us for 15 years!
“The best part of being a school counselor is empowering kids to grow as individuals, be strong problem solvers, and to face personal problems in a positive way. I am motivated every day to come in and create a safe space for all students if they need a break or just need to talk” says Mrs. Miller. “My favorite part of the day is going into classrooms to teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to every grade level. When I hear students using the common language I have taught and practicing the skills throughout their day I know I have done my job”.
Something she would like people to know is that she loves that Pine Valley is truly a family atmosphere and because of that she has been able to build and maintain wonderful relationships with her students, their families, staff, and the community. She is proud to be a Panther!
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Miller!
Terry MansfieldTerry Mansfield is a Pine Valley Elementary School 2nd grade teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Terry has been with us for 23 years! She started out as a substitute teacher in 1998 before being hired full time in the fall of 2007. Terry started out in special education before spending the next 13 years as a kindergarten teacher. Terry is currently enjoying her second year as a 2nd grade teacher. “Although I really miss the “little ones”, I love the independence that comes with the older students” says Terry.
“The best part of my job is watching the students grow academically in reading and math from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year. I know my students love science. I like when they share their latest invention with the class and then get excited about our next experiment” says Terry. “I also enjoy living in the school district where I teach. I get to see my students and their families outside of the classroom at ball games, restaurants and the grocery store”.
Something she would like people to know is that she has been married to Mark Mansfield for 36 years and they have two children. Kayla graduated from PV in 2014 and Zachary graduated in 2018. She really misses the hustle and bustle of all their sporting events, but now she spends her spare time with their granddaughter Gigi and walking their three dogs. She loves the water, swimming, beaches and walking. When she retires, she knows she will be living near “water” somewhere.
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Mansfield!
Jennifer DonatoJennifer Donato is a Pine Valley Elementary School 5th grade math and social studies teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Jennifer started with us in the fall of 2000 and has worked with us for 22 years!
“The best part of my day is the mornings when the students arrive” says Jennifer, “I enjoy greeting them and seeing their smiling faces”.
One thing she would like people to know is that she loves her job, students, and the people that she works with. Pine Valley has been a home to her for many years. During that time, she has made so many wonderful friendships with colleagues and former students. It is a great privilege and honor to work in a field that allows you the opportunity to touch others’ lives in such a positive way.
Thank you for all that you do, Ms. Donato!
Brooke BradiganBrooke Bradigan is a Pine Valley Elementary School 3PK teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.Brooke started working with us in September of 2021, as this is the first year Pine Valley has offered a three-year-old preschool class.“The best part of each day is when the children first enter the classroom” says Brooke. “It is important to me that each child is greeted individually, and he/she feels valued and welcome in our classroom”.One thing she would like people to know is that she has been an early childhood educator for 19 years and working at Pine Valley (her alma mater) has been a wonderful experience!Thank you for all that you do, Miss Bradigan!
Deanna HermanDeanna Herman is a Pine Valley Elementary School bus driver and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Mrs. Herman has worked with us for twenty-one years! She started off as a substitute bus driver in 2000 and then was hired full time in 2002.
“The best part of my day is the smiling kids” says Dee. “Even when you are having a bad day their smiles are contagious and it makes you feel better. From the first day of school to the last day of school, the kids have changed so much, and I love to watch them grow as individuals”.
One thing Dee would like everyone to know is that Pine Valley has had a lot of changes since she started. She has seen many people come and go. The Pine Valley future is bright, and she looks forward to being here for that. “Our Panther family is truly a wonderful group of people” says Dee. “I’m blessed to be part of this family and I’m proud to have raised my girls as part of this family. I’m happy that Karah has returned and I’m excited that she has started her adventure as a returning Pine Valley Panther! 💜 Madisyn’s enjoying college life and playing Basketball, Go Alfred State”! 💙🏀
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Herman!
Chandell Nichols Chandell Nichols is a Pine Valley High School English teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Miss Nichols has worked with us for four years. “The best part of my day is watching students become reflective learners who make mistakes, make improvements, and feel more capable and confident in themselves because of both” says Chandell.
One thing Miss Nichols would like people to know is, Pine Valley may be our name, but it's not the place you look down on from the top view. We are the Valley that is the beginning of the path for every student to find success at the top of his or her own mountain.
Thank you for all that you do, Miss Nichols!
Jeff HouslerJeff Housler is a Pine Valley Elementary School Physical Education teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.Jeff has worked with us for four years. He started as a long-term substitute teacher and then was hired as a full-time teacher in the winter of 2019.“The best part of my day is when the kids tell me how much fun they had in class” says Jeff, “I also enjoy lunch!”One thing Jeff would like people to know is, during his 4 years here, he has had a lot of fun doing what he loves. He has learned and grown so much as a teacher and as a person and works with so many great people that have made him smile every day. Pine Valley truly is a special place to be, and he is happy to be a part of it.Thank you for all that you do, Mr. Housler!
Karah HermanKarah Herman is a Pine Valley Jr./Sr. High School Special Education teacher and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
Karah started as a substitute teacher after graduating from SUNY Fredonia in December 2020, she then finished out the 20-21 school year as a Long-Term Sub and then was hired as a full-time teacher in the fall of 2021.
“The best part of my day is being able to make a difference in my students lives, as a teacher in the classroom and as a coach on the field and court”, says Karah.
One thing Karah would like people to know is, growing up she never imagined herself as a teacher. She hadn’t decided what she was going to college for until the very last second, but now it is clear to her that she made the right decision. She has learned so much in the past 3 months and is so thankful to have been given the opportunity to come back to her alumni as a teacher. Her favorite part, by far, is coaching. Karah cherishes all the memories that she has made and will continue to make with her student-athletes, that will last a lifetime.
Thank you for all that you do, Miss Herman!
Sierra RocqueMrs. Rocque is one of Pine Valley’s third grade teachers and this week’s People Behind the Panther spotlight.
“This is my second year working here”, says Mrs. Rocque “BUT I’m a PV alum from the class of ’14 so I’ve bled purple and white for MANY years!”
When asked to tell us what was the best part of her day, Mrs. Rocque said everyday in the Valley is a great day! As an alumna, she looks back on the positive impact the district had on her and the influential teachers (now co-workers) who helped her become successful. Now as an educator, it’s her job to pass on the love for the “Valley”, give back to her community and help our students achieve great things! She says it’s a unique experience and a privilege to be back in the place she loves doing what she loves!
Something she would like people to know is she hopes her students always remember where they came from and they keep their eyes on where they’re headed! We’ll always be rooting for you here in the Valley!
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Rocque!
Mrs. Morrison
Hazel Morrison is Pine Valley’s Elementary Special Education Teacher. She joined the District in Fall 2019 after teaching at other Districts for 10 years.
“I like Pine Valley because I feel like I belong,” says Morrison. “There’s a real sense of community here between the students, families, and my fellow teachers.”
Students in Mrs. Morrison’s class develop different strategies for learning. One way she helps is by creating educational songs to help students learn abstract ideas. According to her, “There is a little bit of magic in learning.”
“I love that kids feel that magic a-ha moment when they get a new skill or finally master something,” says Morrison. “The best part of the day is when I help a student gain a new skill that they’ve been struggling with.”
Although she is helping students who need a little extra help, that is only a glimpse into her work with students.
“I hope my students learn to become better people,” says Morrison. “I want them to learn social skills, self-confidence, and things like perseverance and work ethic.”
Mrs. KelleyRoxanne Kelley is Pine Valley’s 1-to-1 aide in Kindergarten. She has been working in the District for two years and enjoys working in the same community that she lives and her kids attend school.
“It’s like we’re a family here,” says Kelley. “I enjoy everything about Pine Valley.”
While her main focus is on her 1-to-1 student, Mrs. Kelley also spends time working with the other students in class and helping the teachers. According to her, “The best part of the day is the hugs the kids give. They’re so sweet.”
“I love laughing and having a great time with the kids, but I also love working through the challenges that they have,” says Kelley. “I get to be with the kids through the whole day, so I experience so much with them.”
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Kelley!
Mrs. Karpie
Earth Science teacher Sandy Karpie joined the Pine Valley Central School District in the Fall of 2019. While this is her first year teaching in the District, she is enjoying the close-knit community and meaningful relationships that she found at Pine Valley.
“There is a real sense of community here. Everyone is so welcoming,” says Karpie. “I’m happy every day here and I’ve made a lot of friends already. I really like Pine Valley.”
Students in Mrs. Karpie’s class spend a lot of time doing hands-on learning and exploring the world around them. According to her, the best part of the day is lab time because, “that’s when students are having fun and I can really get to know them.”
“I hope that my students learn some real-world skills about how to study and find information on their own,” says Karpie. “I want them to realize what’s happening around them and why.”
Welcome to Pine Valley, Mrs. Karpie!
Mr. Howard
Joshua Howard is the Vice President of Pine Valley’s Board of Education. He has been serving the District since October 2018. As a Pine Valley alumna, he enjoys serving the District in which he was raised.
“This school has always been home to me,” says Howard. “As a Pine Valley graduate with children in the school district, it means so much to me to be able to continue my support for the school on behalf of the community.”
For Mr. Howard, the most enjoyable part of being on the Board of Education is getting to see and hear directly from the students. His fondest memory of the District is when he was invited to speak to students after he finished basic training.
“To see the excitement that the students have about the many different aspects of school is great,” says Howard. “This school is a community where different families just come together.”
Thank you for all that you do, Mr. Howard!
Mr. Howe
Terry Howe joined the Pine Valley family as a member of the Board of Education in June 2019. Although he is one of the newest members to join the Board, he is already building positive relationships.
“I like being able to serve the students, community, and staff at Pine Valley,” says Howe. “I’m embracing this opportunity to have a positive impact on our District.”
His main goal is to improve Pine Valley Central School District and he wants the community to know that he will always put the students first when making decisions as a Board member.
“I will do my best so that the District and the community can be proud of Pine Valley,” he says.
Mr. Clapp
Gerald Clapp is one of the newest members of the Pine Valley Board of Education. While he has only been serving the District for a few months, he is already having a lasting impact.
“I enjoy being a voice for the common person,” says Clapp. “I’m embracing this opportunity to bring a positive change.”
Mr. Clapp wants the community to know that he is working towards the betterment of not only the District, but also the local region as well.
According to him, “Out of the box thinking could make Pine Valley the envy of the region.”
Mr. Chase
Jeffrey Chase is the President of Pine Valley’s Board of Education. He has served on the Board for 17 years. Mr. Chase is a lifelong resident of the district and enjoys working in the District in which he was raised.
“I am a proud Pine Valley alum. Two of my sons graduated from here and one is still attending Pine Valley,” says Chase. “I like being able to give back to my school and community.”
Mr. Chase’s fondest memory of serving on the Board is being able to serve alongside his father.
While Pine Valley is near and dear to his heart, Mr. Chase wants the community to know that he is working very hard to make lasting improvements.
“I try to put students first and make decisions that will have a positive impact,” he says.
Thank you for all that you do, Mr. Chase!
Mrs. Lokietek
Pine Valley Board of Education member Christine Lokietek has been serving the District since 2017. As a parent, tax payer, and educator, she brings a well-rounded perspective to the Board.
“I try to approach everything we do with a positive attitude,” says Lokietek. “Most of all, I’m all about what is best for our children.”
Mrs. Lokietek wants to thank the community for the opportunity to serve on the School Board. She enjoys hearing about the experiences of the students, especially the seniors.
“I love getting to hear about all of the great things happening at Pine Valley,” says Lokietek. “I enjoy being a part of a collective voice for kids and parents in the direction of Pine Valley’s future.”
Mr. Buczek
Chris Buczek is a Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director at Pine Valley. He has been working in the District for 14 years and enjoys the close-knit community.
“I like Pine Valley because of the family-like atmosphere,” says Buczek. “The kids are great, the staff is great and every day it seems like I am surrounded by people who want to do great things.”
While he is busy teaching students lifelong health habits and managing athletics, he is more focused on making an impact each and every day.
“The kids come to gym to have fun and do physical activity that will increase their heart rate, but it’s more fun to help their days be better,” says Buczek. “A lot of the times they’re having a bad day, and I can help fix it or make it better by interacting and having fun with them.”
According to Mr. Buczek, “The kids are the best part of the day.” His lessons far exceed gym class and the sports teams.
“My intentions as a physical education teacher is always to teach students to be physically active, but I hope they remember how fun my class was,” says Buczek. “For them to leave my class knowing they had fun and that it made their day better is what I’m really searching for.”
Mrs. Andrews
High School Special Education Teacher Dawn Andrews has been working at Pine Valley for 10 years. Students in her classes develop different strategies for learning.
“I hope they remember that anything is possible. There is no limit, no glass ceiling, and no box they need to work in,” says Andrews. “They can accomplish anything they want to do and at any time they can change it and decide on a new direction.”
While she is busy helping to differentiate instruction and facilitate understanding, she is focused on building meaningful relationships with each of her students.
“I love the kids. They’re great. They make me laugh, they make me think, they just make me have fun all day long,” says Andrews. “They’re like family and it was so important to me that I brought my two kids here so they could graduate from Pine Valley.”
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Andrews!
Mrs. Lyndsley
Christina Lyndsley is a third grade teacher at Pine Valley and has been working in the District for 15 years. She enjoys teaching in the same community that she lives and at the school that her kids attend.
“I live here so I love the small, close-knit community,” says Lyndsley. “The atmosphere is like family here and it’s wonderful to get to know the families in the District because I live around them. It’s nice to build those relationships outside of school.”
Mrs. Lyndsley invests so much into each of her students. Since she teaches math and science, she gets to see every third-grader throughout the day. According to her, “the best part of the day is the morning when the kids come in.”
“Being a teacher doesn’t feel like work; it’s fun,” says Lyndsley. “Every day is a new day and it’s what we make it. I love it.”
While academics is always a focus, Mrs. Lyndsley emphasizes integrity in her classroom. She empowers her students to make decisions and take ownership of themselves.
“When kids leave my class, I hope that they remember that we talked a lot about integrity and being a good person, even when no one is watching,” says Lyndsley. “Student ownership is very important. In third grade, students track their personal data and use it to make decisions for themselves.”
Mrs. Lyndsley and her teaching partner, Kirsten Lewis’s work with student ownership culminated in student-led conferences last year where the kids took the lead and discussed their progress with their parents. To further their work, Lyndsley and Lewis will be speaking at the ASCD Conference in LA to help other districts get started with student-led conferences.
Mrs. Chase
Stacy Chase is Pine Valley’s Guidance Office Secretary and has been working in the District for over 10 years.
While she is busy helping students with their schedules and explaining their graduation pathways, she is also focused on forming a genuine connection and helping students reach their goals.
“I really enjoy working with the high school students. I like helping them with their goals in life in whatever way I can,” says Chase. “They usually come here when they need answers, and I can most often provide those answers. But more than anything, I just enjoy being with the kids.”
Ms. Chase invests so much into each student, and it all culminates on her favorite day of the year, graduation.
“I love being there in the audience and just appreciating the seniors and everything they’ve done to get to that point,” says Chase. “I love seeing them up there with smiles on their faces and taking the next step in life.”
Mrs. Vanzile
Cheryl Vanzile is the Special Education and Pupil Personnel Secretary at Pine Valley. She is a proud Pine Valley alumna and has been working in the district for 19 years.
“My husband and I both graduated from Pine Valley, our children graduated from here, and now we both work in the district also,” says Vanzile. “Pine Valley really is our home.”
Mrs. Vanzile invests so much into the students and strives to make sure they have everything they need in the Special Education department. According to her, “the interactions with the kids are the best part of the day.”
“I love building relationships with the students and being a familiar face,” says Vanzile. “One of the students who came into the department back when I first started just graduated and it was so special to go to her graduation and spend that time with her.”
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Vanzile!
Mr. Stefanik
Ryan Stefanik is Pine Valley’s Building Maintenance Mechanic. He has been working in the District for 32 years and is proud to be a Pine Valley Panther.
“It’s a great place to work,” says Stefanik. “And it’s only getting better as we go!”
While he is busy making sure the buildings, athletic fields, and grounds are in the best shape possible, he is also a substitute bus driver when needed.
“I enjoy everything about my position,” says Stefanik. “It changes every day and I’m always doing something different.”
Thank you for everything you do, Mr. Stefanik!
Mr. NewcombBruce Newcomb is one of Pine Valley's long time bus drivers and he enjoys working in his hometown after being away for over 30 years. Safety is his top priority, but that doesn't stop him from going the extra mile for his students.
"I try to take things seriously becase there is a line you have to draw, but I also try to humor the kids and do special things for them, like give our candy," says Mr. Newcomb.
Although he is transporting students to and from school, that is only a glimpse into his work with students.
"I want to keep going as long as I can, so that I can help teach the kids the right way," says Newcomb. "I'm very flexible and I get along with them. I enjoy it."
Mrs. Abers Fifth grade teacher Holly Abers has been teaching at Pine Valley Elementary School for 20 years. As a Pine Valley alumna, she enjoys working in the District in which she was raised.
“I love Pine Valley because its home. I started kindergarten here and graduated here, so it’s like I never left,” she says.
Mrs. Abers invests so much into each of her students. Because she teaches math and science, she gets to see every fifth-grader throughout the day. According to her, “It’s a great opportunity to know all of the students.”
“Learning goes far beyond academics,” says Mrs. Abers. “It’s about the whole student, and every student is different. As they grow up, I just hope that they remember that I cared.”
Thank you for all that you do, Mrs. Abers!
Mr. HabermehlIsaac Habermehl is Pine Valley's agricultural teacher. He has been teaching in the District since 2002. Students in his classes learn about plant and animal science, wildlife management, engineering and welding. He is also the District's trap coach.
"We've got a strong agricultural community that's supportive of the program," says Mr. Habermehl. "A lot of other schools don't have a land lab out back. We have 10 acres of woods we do maple syrup on. We've got one of the larger shop areas, too, compared to other schools."
As with other programs, Mr. Habermehl prepares his students for a rapidly changing world. "The business side of things has really changed where it's gone from cows, plows and sows (as people say) to now where we have a lot more automation, robotics, [GPS]," according to Mr. Habermehl. "Just the amount of information they need to know and just how rapidly everything is changing every day. Farms are getting larger, but the farmer has to get smarter."
Mrs. HimesVocal Instructor Mary Kay Himes has been teaching chorus and music classes in the District for two years. She also teaches drama and leads fifth- and sixth-graders in the Treble Cats select choir.
"I enjoy the fact that I get to work with so many different students," says Mrs. Himes. "I get to work with middle school and high school in addition to elementary. So, I get to cover all of the grade levels. Yeah, I love it."
While you may see her directing a concert or musical, the performances are only a glimpse into her work with students.
"So much growth and maturity in their voices and who they are as students happens in the rehearsal space during the day," according to Mrs. Himes. "As exciting as those performances are, that's such a small part of what these students can accomplish."
Mrs. MillimanLeslie Milliman is a cook at Pine Valley and has been in Cafeteria Services since 1988. She enjoys working for the same district in which she, her children and her grandchildren have been raised.
Mrs. Milliman’s favorite part of the day is serving breakfast to students. "As they're going through the line, you can see how things are going and what's going on," she says. Later in the morning, she helps prepare lunches for both the Elementary School and the Jr./Sr. High School.
"It's like a family," says Mrs. Milliman. "And anybody would do anything for anybody here. They would. I really believe that."
Ms. ColburnBrianna Colburn is the elementary school secretary and an alumna of Pine Valley. While she is busy gathering lunch counts, writing passes or making sure kids are getting on and off the buses safely, she is also building positive relationships with students.
"The UPK and kindergarten classes, when they come down and get their bus passes at the end of the day, half of them don't like to talk," says Ms. Colburn. "We start conversations with them and get them to talk, be polite, and say please and thank you. That's always fun."
#PeopleBehindThePanther
