Questar III mentor and mentee teachers were recognized Wednesday night for the time spent collaborating in the 2015-2016 school year. The mentor program spans three years, and pairs a new teacher or a teacher new to Questar III with a veteran teacher to allow for shared planning time and to help those new teachers grow professionally and get acquainted with the organization.
Approximately 30 teachers and administrators attended the recognition dinner at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant in North Greenbush, where mentors and mentees were given copies of the books “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D, and “Letters to a Young Teacher” by Jonathan Kozol.
Mentor program coordinator Heather Silvernail said the program is about more than simply mentoring.
“We form not only partnerships, but we form a community within our organization that’s been very supportive and that’s been very beneficial to us throughout each year.”
“This program becomes more important with each passing year as we see so many changes in education. It’s important to keep our focus on the children we have in front of us and the teachers and staff we have to help through the first few years,” said Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz.
Mentors and mentees are also asked to complete a survey at the end of each year to provide feedback on what worked well and what could be done differently. This year, those surveys were done electronically, with help from Program Evaluation Specialist Jacqueline Johnson.
The Questar III Mentor Program was developed to improve student achievement and retain quality educators. This program is part of a New York State Department of Education (SED) mandate which requires the program to be overseen by a Mentor Committee consisting of both administration and representatives from the Teachers Association.
Mentor Program Coordinator Heather Silvernail speaks to the attendees.
SED also requires new teachers to show documentation of successfully completing a mentor program in order to receive permanent certification.
Thank you to all our mentors and mentees for making this program a valuable tool for everyone involved.
“As another school year comes to a close, the dedication, inspiration, and professionalism demonstrated by all in this program has much to do with the organization’s successes as a whole,” Silvernail said.
First year mentor partners
| Erin Madigan | Katrina Lawyer |
| Lindsey Estaris | Mark Nizer |
| Stephanie Edmunds | Allison Grupp |
| Heather Silvernail | Scott Lemora |
| Gerry Smith | Doug Shanley |
| Teresa Mills | Maureen Ottatti |
| Kristi Dannehy | Brianna Nelder |
| Terry Ryan | Rachel Deeb |
| Candi Ansel | Amy Pierce |
| Pam Brody | Jennifer Rettinger |
| Mona Cady | Mike DeGregory
Meghan Flannigan |
| Diane Stever | Danielle Loyche |
| Jen Merritt | Kevin Reach |
| Emily Bluhm | Krystyn Watson |
| Danielle Jiguerre | Karen Quinn |
Second year mentor partners
| Lisa Gilbert | Caitlin Preisner |
| Jessie Mochi | Courtney Galuski |
| Jamie Downs | Kara Horton |
| Brianna Kearney | Alicia Lounsbury |
| Hilary Reilly | Virginia LuPone |
| Beth O’Brien | Victoria Duncan-Strain |
| Deb DeDeo | Jennifer Rogowski |
| Chris Carioto | Maureen Kiefer |
Third year mentor partners
| Jamie Downs | Laura Fitzpatrick |
| Chris Carioto | Ryan Maloney |
| Erika Carr | Debbie Thomas |
| Emily Bluhm | Dena Iagrossi |
For more information on Questar III’s mentor program, visit our Infocenter
