Employee Recognition Celebration 2022

Transportation Director Durett Miles receiving the Sapphire Apple Award

Thanks to everyone who helped make our fifth annual Employee Recognition Celebration a success!

The event–held Nov. 18 in Albany High School's newly renovated auditorium–recognized the exceptional service of members from all areas of district operations with our Apple awards and longevity recognition. 

You can visit our district Facebook page to see photos from the event!

The event also featured student performances, and in-person recognition of  the 2020 and 2021 recipients, who had been celebrated virtually the last two years.

The district also will present the Apple awards and longevity recognition to the 2022 recipients, who are listed below.

Congratulations again to all of our honorees!


Crystal Apple

  • Zuleika Sanchez-Gayle – principal, Sheridan Preparatory Academy (APSAA)
  • Suzanne McCarthy – district health coordinator/school nurse (APSTA)
  • Evelyn Wood – teacher aide, Montessori Magnet School (APSUE)

Emerald Apple (APSAA)

  • Timitra Rose – assistant principal, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Rachel Stead – principal, Albany International Center/Dual Language Program

Golden Apple (APSTA)

  • Leah Ascher, English, Albany High School
  • Nora Bakes, elementary education, Montessori Magnet School
  • Lynn Bancroft, special education, Arbor Hill Elementary School
  • Elizabeth Boyle, art, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Megan Britton, behavior specialist, Tony Clement Center for Education
  • Jake Brodmerkel, music, North Albany Middle School
  • Elisa Byrnes, elementary education, Montessori Magnet School
  • Danielle Camarata, elementary education, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy
  • Mary Carroll, English as a new language, Albany International Center
  • Katrina Carstarphen, social studies, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
  • Amanda Cetinel, science, Albany High School
  • Kristen Clancy, special education, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Wendy Corcione, elementary education, Delaware Community School
  • Carin D’Ambro, school nurse, Albany High School
  • Julie D’Arcy-Gall, science, North Albany Middle School
  • Katie Dring, English, Albany High School
  • Lynn Foley, special education, Albany School of Humanities
  • Kris Foote, family and consumer science, Albany High School/Abrookin Career and Technical Center
  • Marc Fruscio, math, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Jessica Gilbert, elementary education, Arbor Hill Elementary School
  • Susan Googins, elementary education, Montessori Magnet School
  • Rohan Graham, elementary education, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • John Halvorsen, music, Albany High School
  • Brendan Hoffman, music, Albany High School
  • Daniel Hoffman, school psychologist, Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology
  • Amanda Key, behavior specialist, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy
  • James Kinney, elementary education, Delaware Community School
  • Melissa Maioriello, elementary education, Sheridan Preparatory Academy
  • Thomas Malone, health, Albany High School
  • Jennifer Oertel, elementary education, Albany School of Humanities
  • Melissa Parsons, special education, Pine Hills Elementary School
  • Patricia Pitucci, elementary education, Pine Hills Elementary School
  • Jaclyn Rancourt, English, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Laurie Sasson, English as a new language, Pine Hills Elementary School
  • John Sawyer, science, Albany High School
  • Jacqueline Seyfferth, special education, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Susannah Sheehan, elementary education, Albany School of Humanities
  • Bridget Smith, elementary education (sixth grade), North Albany Middle School
  • Erin St. Louis, teacher on special assignment/district sub-CSE chair
  • Amy Sullivan, reading, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Migdalia Torres, social worker, Giffen Memorial Elementary School
  • Kimberly Valentine, elementary education, Albany International Center
  • Margaret Webb, teacher on special assignment/instructional coach, Pine Hills Elementary School
  • Jennifer Wilson, teacher on special assignment/instructional coach, Sheridan Preparatory Academy
  • Kelly Wojewodzic, teacher on special assignment/instructional coach, Albany School of Humanities
  • Michelle Woodson, special education, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy
  • Maria Zarro, elementary education, Eagle Point Elementary School

Ruby Apple (APSUE)

  • Wedad Aleedan, teaching assistant, Sheridan Preparatory Academy
  • Alyssa Bailey, teaching assistant, North Albany Middle School
  • Laurie Campbell-Beazer, office manager, Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology
  • Dorothy Carter, teaching assistant/special education, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Violetta De Rosa, teaching assistant, Albany High School
  • Sabrina Fernandez, office manager, Albany School of Humanities
  • Amelia Gee, teaching assistant/special education, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Teresa Giglio, teaching assistant/special education, Albany High School
  • Colleen Giminiani, office manager, Special Education Department
  • Abigail Gomes, community school site coordinator, Sheridan Preparatory Academy
  • Natanya Gorousingh, teaching assistant/special education, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy
  • Barbara Griffis, principal account clerk, Academy Park
  • Kim Haggerty, teaching assistant/special education, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Laura Ivey, teaching assistant, Pine Hills Elementary School
  • Qiana Johnson, office manager, Delaware Community School
  • Margaret Jones, teaching assistant/special education, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Shirin Karimi, teaching assistant, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy
  • Sharon Knox, teacher aide/special education, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Maxine Lawson, teaching assistant, New Scotland Elementary School
  • Suzette Lester, hall monitor, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Tarryton Marbley, hall monitor, Arbor Hill Elementary School
  • Melissa McConnell, clerk typist, Pupil Personnel Services
  • Milford Penn, hall monitor, Arbor Hill Elementary School
  • Elizabeth Rowell, teaching assistant/special education, Arbor Hill Elementary School
  • Miriam Shor, teaching assistant/special education, Albany School of Humanities
  • Danielle Speanburg, teaching assistant, William S. Hackett Middle School
  • Timothy Suggs, hall monitor, Tony Clement Center for Education
  • Timothy Walters, head custodian, Giffen Memorial Elementary School
  • Jean Ward, clerk typist, Special Education Department
  • Bryan Watson, teaching assistant/special education, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School

Sapphire Apple (management confidential)

  • Durett Miles, director of transportation

35+ Years of Service

  • Sharon Stott (43 years)
  • Karen E. Hauth (36 years)
  • Janie M. Stanford (36 years)
  • Henry G. Czerwinski (35 years)
  • Dana Mackey (35 years)
  • Stephanie Primero (35 years)

30 Years of Service

  • Kristin Barnes
  • Deanna Carras
  • Dennis Corbitt
  • Kimberly A. DeHart
  • Kathleen Futia
  • Melissa A. Hirt
  • Kimberly Jones-Gravel
  • Elizabeth Keller
  • Joseph Owens
  • Linda Serapilio
  • Kevis Wilson

25 Years of Service

  • Mary Ann Arnesen
  • Olaiya Curtis
  • Cherie Devall
  • Amy Dillenback
  • Damon Dobbs
  • Sonya Flowers
  • Richard Gargiula
  • Patricia Gilroy
  • James Grove
  • LaFayette A. Hasty
  • Kimberly Healy
  • Ann Kennedy
  • Valarie Manning
  • Jannine Walton
  • Michelle Woodson