Questar III Special Education Teacher Mary D’Amico is helping students achieve success.
Questar III teacher Mary D’Amico will tell you she never had the life-long dream of becoming a teacher, but it seems as though teaching was something that just came naturally (and is now one of her greatest passions).
As a child she recalls her teachers frequently seating a special needs student next to her, because as they said, “Mary just does so well with her.” She remembers wishing there was something more the teachers could do to help this student.
Today as a special education teacher at Columbia High School, she is helping students with various ability levels achieve success.
“I never really thought about a career outside of school,” she said. “School was always comfortable and I was always successful there so it was only natural to become a teacher.”
D’Amico teaches both regular and alternate assessment students with various ability levels. This can be challenging, she says, because it means each student has different needs that must be addressed during a limited number of hours in the school day.
However, it also means she gets to take pride in helping students achieve their own version of success.
“For some it’s as simple as counting money and telling time. For others, it means learning 21st century skill such as Microsoft Office and how to use the Internet to conduct research,” said D’Amico. “My ultimate goal is to help them be successful and to retain what they’ve learned.”
D’Amico has been a Questar III teacher her entire 19-year career and says the BOCES has come a long way in that time. More resources along with increased structure to procedures have contributed to the success of an organization with a wide geographical reach.
“It’s so wonderful to see how we’ve grown. We’ve become a very professional and respected organization,” she said. “I really love my job and I love what I do with the kids.”
D’Amico has a Bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany, a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Reading from Sage College and several advanced certificates including School Building Leadership (SBL) and School District Leadership (SDL). She is currently working on a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Walden University.
D’Amico lives in Nassau with her cat and enjoys spending time with her young niece and nephew. Outside of teaching at Questar III, D’Amico also teaches the first communion class at her church. When not working on her doctorate, D’Amico says she enjoys going to the movies and shopping.
For more information on Questar III’s Special Education programs, please visit https://old.questar.org/education/special-ed/index.php.
