Delivering The Promise of A Brighter Future: Gouverneur CSD recognizes faculty, staff career milestones

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School District held its Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, September 3 in the Gouverneur High School Auditorium.

Gouverneur CSD Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly gave the welcoming address.

“As we embark on a new school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the essence of our work and the impact that we have on our students lives. Angela Duckworth, author of the New York Times Bestselling writ, once said, “At its core, the idea of purpose is the idea that what we do matters to people other than ourselves.” This sentiment lies at the heart of our mission. Enthusiasm is a wonderful trait, and many of us come to this profession rimming with it. But it is endurance, the grit that Duckworth speaks of that truly defines our journey.

“Grit is more than just passion. It is the perseverance to push through challenges and stay committed to our long-term goals, even when the going gets tough. I know that the passion part is something that many of you truly possess. You chose this path because you wanted to make a difference in the lives of our students. But as we all know, perseverance can be a struggle. We have all experienced times when we have not been successful. Perseverance means we get back up and try again. And we, as educators, are great at that. It is important for our students to learn from that. Our students need more than just enthusiasm. They need adults in our lives that are both supportive and hold them accountable. This combination is critical to forming relationships that can shape their future.

“Let me share a personal story to illustrate just how important this balance can be. When I was young, and struggling with the adjustment of moving to a new school in a new area, there was a teacher in my life who was supportive and quickly worked to build a relationship with not only me but my family. That relationship has had a profound impact on my life and on my career. He challenged me to keep trying, to never give up, and he did so with understanding and care. He inspired me to achieve beyond what I thought possible, and I carry that lesson with me today. He is the reason that I chose this profession.

“The best teachers are those who not only care about their student unconditionally, but challenge them to grow. When you encounter a former student, ask them the favorite part of being in your class, playing on your team, or seeing you in the hallways. Their responses will reveal just how profound your influence has been. This summer, I ran into a former student and I heard a powerful sentiment from that student. He said, “You are the only person who ever believed in me.” That is the kind of impact that we strive for, and it is a testament to the grit that we have as educators. We have gritty kids in Gouverneur, and we are gritty adults.

“Let’s carry that spirit with us, as we start this new school year. Together, let’s continue to inspire, challenge and support our students with unwavering dedication and passion. I am honored to work with such an exceptional group of educators and staff.”

Supt. Kelly then introduced Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong, who offered his welcome to all new and veteran employees of the Gouverneur Central School District. “I want to thank everyone for choosing Gouverneur,” he said. “We are extremely excited and thrilled to have all of you here together on the same team. I believe that, as we embrace all the opportunities that we have this year, we can move this district forward. We can choose to uplift and support each other every day. We can also choose to grow together through this year, rather that go through the year. If we can choose to work together, we can create an environment of success – and that success won’t just be for our kids, but for everybody here in this room.

“I also want to share with you a story about all the care and concern that Mrs. Kelly has spoken about. The care and concern that all of you have given to our kids and community goes a long way. It does help our kids throughout their whole lives. I can tell you a little story about a student who also struggled and this school, in this community helped that person achieve some success and graduate – and that student was myself.

“I started out here at Richville Elementary many moons ago. I have to tell you that those elementary days were the most memorable. They are the easiest to recollect. All the memories are very vivid. I can tell you that I can recall this clown that would go around the outside of the school on occasion and come up to the windows. The kids would come up to the window and try to catch that clown as he made his way around the building to help uplift some kids on some uncertain days. I also recall our teacher had these “letter people” that she would introduce to us every week. They were just a simple mylar balloon but she had a name for each one of them. I guess it is exciting that she kept them in this secret closet we could never go in. We also had our principal, Dr. Cartwright. I’m not sure if all of you know Dr. Cartwright, but he also serves on the Board of Education with me. But when he would walk into that classroom, it would be during our milk break and he would just be coming in to say hello. He wears that same smile when he comes to the board meetings, which is very cool to me. He also invited us down to the gymnasium, which was also our cafeteria. There was a huge parachute on the middle of the floor and he had us all circle around. We would all grab a piece of it, and lift it up and down to create that momentum to get the air underneath, and then we could go one at a time underneath there and experience that parachute. It was probably the most colorful and memorable experience.

“But I can tell you after that parachute went down and I got above second grade, things went downhill for me. Like many kids in our area, my parents decided to divorce. I got home one day, parked my bike, and got shuffled into the car, and off we went. I didn’t know where we were going. A little bit later on, I was told that my parents had decided to separate. They did that in front of six kids, so they separated the kids as well. Two of my brothers stayed back with my father, and my two sisters, brother, and I went with my mom. We were then homeless for a couple months until a fantastic, huge-hearted family here in this community took my family in. They shared their whole house, their life, and everything with us – just like it was our own. Those are the times and the people that you never forget. They are the people that helped me the most, created that structure, and helped me move along and move forward. I ended up landing at the elementary school here, at East Side. It was a whole new school, a whole new class, a new teacher, a new principal with a different smile… basically a whole new life. Through those struggling times, it was the care and concern of those teachers and coaches and administrators that helped me move forward and enabled me to be able to graduate with the rest of my class.

“But I can tell you it wasn’t always easy. That care and concern that they gave to us is what we need to do here. And I am hoping that we can all provide that same care and concern to kids as they come in. A lot of kids have those difficulties and problems that they carry around with them – but we can’t always see all of them. Those difficulties become problems, and they become burdens. And when they come into school each day, we know that they are coming in to learn and they have to carry all of these burdens and all of these problems with them. And I believe that is the part where you all come in. If it wasn’t for those teachers and people, a lot of these kids would not make it, and they may not graduate. Well, through those years, I tried everything – sports, instrument, etc. I think I was always trying to find something to fill that void or to be an inspiration for me. I always seemed to find it in the right areas here at this school and in this community. But it wasn’t always help that I received. I know that there is a coach out there that helped my brother purchase a pair of sneakers when my mom was having those difficult times. I can tell you that there is a janitor out there that I wish I could tell them the impact they had on my life. Not that the janitor taught me anything. It was just the way they were there every single day. They just happened to be at a rough point when I needed them – and there they were. It was very impactful. Another person I remember and want to thank. Life is difficult and as you struggle through those times, you always try to find that person or those people to help you to move forward. And there are so many people to thank… it’s overwhelming actually, for me.

“But I can tell you that, if we show that care and concern to everyone who comes in to this school every day… I believe we can be successful. You can be successful, and we can move Gouverneur forward where it should be. We just need to show that care and concern to everyone who comes through our doors, every single day. I know that is not easy. I graduated from here. I put two kids through school here. I’ve also been on the Board of Education for over 10 years. And I get… If we want to create success, we all have to be valued for who we are and what we do for work. I’ve also lived in this community for over 50 years and I realize what the struggles are that a lot of our kids are facing. Again, those are the struggles that they carry with them that become those burdens that instead of coming through those doors to learn, they carry those with them all day. Some of them we see. Some of them we don’t see. But again, it is that care and concern that all of you folks here in this room can provide them that will give them that uplifting energy to get through each day and to get through the school year.

“I just want to thank everyone for all that you do. Hopefully you can all impact a child in the community the same way it impacted me. Again, if it wasn’t for this care and concern that everybody here had, it is what enables me to be here today. Thank you all for being here. Have a great start to your year. Thank you all very much.”

Thunderous applause sounded at the conclusion of the addresses.

“Thank you, Mr. Fenlong,” Supt. Kelly said. “Let’s all continue this year to strive to have that kind of impact that he just described on our students.”

Gouverneur CSD Supt. Jackie Kelly conducted the awards ceremony, recognizing the employees that achieved milestones in their service to the district.

First recognized was the Gouverneur Central School District’s first-year employees: Ashley Barr (Gouverneur Elementary School Grade 3 Teacher), Caitlin Cardinell (Gouverneur Elementary School Kindergarten Aide), Alison Connelly (Gouverneur Elementary School Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1 Principal), Alexis Currier (Gouverneur High School Science Teacher), Jennie Dalton (Gouverneur Middle School Grade 5 Teacher), Brad Davis (Gouverneur High School Reading Teacher), Margeaux Davis (Gouverneur High School Assistant Principal), Michelle Deaton (Gouverneur High School Individual Aide), Pam Doty (Gouverneur Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Aide), Alyssa Edick (Gouverneur Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Aide), Kaitlin Ford (Gouverneur Elementary School School Social Worker), Chelsi Griffith (Gouverneur Middle School Keyboard Specialist), Grace Holmes (Gouverneur Elementary School Individual Aide), Leigh-ann Kirby (Gouverneur Elementary School Special Education Teacher), Alexandria Klimowicz (Gouverneur Elementary School Individual Aide), Angela LaJoy (Gouverneur High School Business Teacher), Tracy McCarthy (Gouverneur Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher), Allison Medley (Gouverneur High School Art Teacher), Jamie Mitchell (Gouverneur High School Individual Aide), Olivia Montagno (Gouverneur High School Instrumental Teacher), Shea-Marie Mussaw (Gouverneur CSD School Psychologist Intern), Taylor Rollins (Gouverneur Middle School Agriculture Teacher), Penny Simons (Gouverneur Middle School STEM Teacher), Katie Stubbs (Gouverneur High School Secretary), Roxanne Todd (Gouverneur High School Individual Aide), Erika Woodrow (Gouverneur Elementary School Individual Aide), Catie Yablonski (Gouverneur Middle School Grade 5 Teacher), and Emma York (Gouverneur High School Social Studies Teacher).

“You are all joining a great team, and we are excited to have you,” Supt. Kelly said.

Also recognized were the following familiar faces with new roles in the Gouverneur Central School District. This included: Rachel Curry (Gouverneur Middle School Assistant Principal), Nicole Donaldson (Gouverneur High School Principal), Grace Mashaw (Gouverneur Elementary School School Counselor), Kara Mashaw (Gouverneur Elementary School Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Assistant), Janice Rushlo (Gouverneur CSD Courier/Food Service Helper), Sarah Scott (Gouverneur Middle School Teaching Assistant in 8:1:1 Special Class), Lisa Stowell (Gouverneur Middle School Maith AIS Teacher), Wendy Stowell (Gouverneur High School Teaching Assistant), Caitlyn Sullivan (Gouverneur Elementary School Reading), Tracy Whitton (Gouverneur High School Life Skills Teaching Assistant), Cory Wood (Gouverneur CSD Executive Director of Operations and Personnel).

Gouverneur CSD Board of Education President Fenlong presented certificates of achievement and recognition pins to employees who reached a milestone in their career.

Five Year Recognition Award: Jennifer Anson (Gouverneur Middle School Math Teacher), Amy Davis (Gouverneur Elementary School Grade 3 Teacher), Lisa Dunkelberg (Gouverneur High School Science Teacher), Kelly Harmer (Gouverneur Elementary School Keyboard Specialist), Hunter Hitchman (Gouverneur Middle School School Counselor), Robert Klimowicz (Gouverneur CSD School Resource Officer), Jessica Pickett (Gouverneur Elementary School Cleaner), Kristen Sargent (Gouverneur Elementary School Reading Teacher), Lisa Stowell (Gouverneur Middle School Math AIS Teacher).

Ten Year Recognition Award: Kyle Baker (Gouverneur Elementary School Special Education Teacher), Jeffrey Hale (Gouverneur CSD Building Maintenance Worker), Stephanie LaShomb (Gouverneur Elementary School Pre-Kindergarten Teacher), Kathleen Stamper (Gouverneur High School Teaching Assistant).

Fifteen Year Recognition Award: Bev Phelps (Gouverneur Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher), Melissa Sweeney (Gouverneur Middle School Special Education Teacher), Justin Young (Gouverneur High School Social Studies Teacher).

Twenty Year Recognition Award: Pam Ault (Gouverneur Elementary School Speech and Language Teacher), Brock Davison (Gouverneur Middle School Science Teacher), Erin Gates (Gouverneur Elementary School Grade 1 Teacher), Cory Young (Gouverneur High School Math Teacher. The following employees were recognized for over 20 years of service to the district: 21 Years: Denise Baer, Bethanie Denesha, Megan Sovie, and Terry Streeter. 22 Years: Lisa Carbone, Daniel Erdman, Danelle Foster, Barbara Gauthier, Sherry Law, Heather Parker, Lisa Sheen, Kelly Spencer Ayen. 23 Years: Michelle Benda, Shelley Burnham, Rosa Foster, Kelley Liscum, Richard Nicholas Jr., and Stephanie Plaisted. 24 Years: Joel Baer, Emily Bason, Michael Bason, Donna Briscoe, Sean Devlin, Betty Hall, Pamela Mahay, Joadie Spicer.

Twenty-Five Year Recognition Award: Shawn Cummings (Gouverneur High School Science Teacher), Mark Dailey (Gouverneur High School Math Teacher), Stacey Devlin (Gouverneur Middle School Grade 6 Teacher), Lisa Fairbanks (Gouverneur Elementary School Teacher Aide), Tatia Kennedy (Gouverneur CSD District Clerk and Secretary to the Superintendent), Kathy Palmer (Gouverneur Elementary School Grade 1 Teacher), and Shawn Typhair (Gouverneur High School Physical Education Teacher). The following employees were recognized for over 25 years of service to the district. 26 Years: Laura Streeter and Kim Shampine. 27 Years: Ann LaRock, Shari Ronas, Heather Rose. 28 Years: Steven Besaw. 29 Years: Gina Caldwell, Rowena Cameron, Robert Dunkelberg, Nola Farns, Michelle Hassett, Arthur Knauf Jr., and Terri Whitaker.

Thirty Year Recognition Award: Ellie Simmons (Gouverneur CSD Building & Grounds Maintenance Dept. Secretary) and Cherie Zira (Gouverneur Middle School Teacher Aide).

Thirty-Five Year Recognition Award: Forrest Fuller (Gouverneur Middle School Custodian). Also recognized was: Bonnie Bates (36 years of service) and Sunday Bennett (52 years of service).

“Thank you to all of you for your years of service to our school district,” Supt. Kelly said. “Whether it is one year or 52 years like Sunday Bennett, each of you contributes to the grittiness of Gouverneur, and the Wildcat family is a gritty and great family to be a part of. As you go off to your respective buildings, classrooms and offices, remember to continue to inspire, challenge and support our students with unwavering dedication and passion that I know all of you have. Thank you and have a great school year.”

The Gouverneur Central School District opened its doors to students for the First Day of School on Thursday, September 5. See coverage in an upcoming edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press. For more information on the Gouverneur CSD, visit www.gcsk12.org.