Meet Cohort #1

The following is a group of dedicated teachers whose collective mission is to put students at the center of the classroom through personalized learning.

2020 - 2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Christina Granato

First Grade

Christina works at Genesee and she believes that children learn best when they feel valued. Her superpower is kindness and her pump up song is 'Man in the Mirror' by Michael Jackson.

Christina Calarco

Science

Christina teaches science at Auburn High School. PL is important to her because it provides students the opportunity to take ownership over their own education. Her superpower is empathy and her pump up song is "I Believe in a Thing Called Love".

Second Grade, Special Ed

Ettie Delavak

Ettie teaches at Genesee and she believes that challenges will come and go...vary in severity, however personalized learning will help teachers focus on the whole child. Her superpower is action and her pump up song is the 'Electric Slide'.

Jenna Mizro

5th Grade

Jenna works at Casey Park and her why of teaching is to make her students' learning experience feel more individualized to meet their needs and help them grow as learners. Her superpower is being silly and her pump up song is 'Make You Smile'.

Jodi Emmart

4th Grade

Jodi works at Herman and she teachers for her students and her community. She believes that teaching is about being entrusted with a great task - to lead, guide and serve through education. Her superpower is supporting and encouraging others and her pump up song is 'I Ain't Done'.

Kiley Kustyn

2nd Grade

Kiley teaches at Casey Park and PL is important to her because building relationships with her students is the key to their success. Her superpower is technology and her pump up song is 'Don't Stop Believing'.

4th Grade

Jennie Bersani

Jennie works at Herman and her why is GROWTH. She believes it's important to grow her mind at the same time that she is growing the minds of her students. Her superpower is patience and her pump up song is 'I Gotta Feeling'.

Kindergarten

Kate Tabone

Kate works at Herman and she believes her WHY is giving students a positive and meaningful school experience. Her super power is her positive attitude and her pump up song is 'I Want to Dance with Somebody'.

World History

Lizzie Malloy

Lizzie works at Auburn High School and PL allows her students to take ownership of their learning, develop interests and discover how academia is relevant to their everyday lives. Her superpower is speaking up for what is right and her pump up song is 'Dynamite'.

Marrisa Leone

4th Grade

Marissa teaches at Casey Park and PL is important to her because it helps children feel valued and it gives everyone the ability to learn to their fullest potential. her superpower is teaching and her pump up song is 'Can't Stop the Feeling'.

Molly Carberry

2nd Grade

Molly works at Herman and she wants her kids to leave at the end of the day feeling that they grew in some capacity whether that be academically, socially or emotionally. Her superpower is being a twin-boy mom and her pump up song is 'Everybody' by the Backstreet Boys.

3rd Grade

Megan Buckley

Megan works at Herman and she believes that everyone of her students are special, unique and different and that they deserve what works best for them. Her superpower is keeping it real with her students and her pump up song is 'Thunder'.

Science

Brian Bealer

Brian works at Auburn High School and he wants his students to know that they can be successful at anything they put their mind to. They should see their mistakes as learning opportunities. HIs superpower is that he turns wood into stuff and his pump up song is 'From the Earth to the Moon' Intro.

Rachel Sperduti

Science

Rachel works at Auburn High School and believes that students should have 10-Star experiences at school to drive their own learning so that they can become lifelong learners. Her superpower is creativity and her pump up song is 'Canned Heat'.

Science

Sarah Dibble

Sarah works at Auburn High School and PL is important to her because her favorite teachers utilized this technique which sparked her interests making her learning meaningful and lasting. Her superpower is confidence and her pump up song is 'You Raise Me Up'.

Shannon DelloStritto

4th Grade

Shannon works at Casey Park and PL is important to her because she wants students to have a unique learning experience in the classroom. She wants to foster growth and collaboration. Her superpower is leveraging student interests to spark learning and her pump up song is 'Can't Stop the Feeling'.

Stefan Kowalski

Instructional Coach K-6

Stefan is an instructional coach and he believes that PL can come in all shapes, sizes and needs to be individualized. His superpower is stamina and his pump up song is 'Release Yo Self'.

Rebecca Kott

4th Grade

Rebecca works at Seward and her WHY is her students. She believes that they deserve the best and she wants to be able to give that to them. Her superpower is being helpful and her pump up song is 'Shake It Off'.

Sarah Portipolo

2nd Grade, Special Ed

Sarah works at Herman and she believes that each of her students is special just the way they are. She believes there is no need to change them only that we need to plant the seed and watch them grow. Her super power is building relationships and her pump up song is 'This Girl is on Fire'.

Shelly Connors

Physical Education

Shelly works at Auburn High School and she works to make sure all students understand why being physically fit is important for both you mind and body. Her superpower is patience and her pump up song is 'Burn it to the Ground.

Victoria Calarco

Library

Victoria works at Auburn High School and she believes that education needs to change and that PL can be the way to give students ownership and the motivation to be lifelong learners! Her superpower is smiling even when she doesn't want to and her pump up song is 'Get Lucky'.