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Staff Milestones

Celebrating Our APW Staff Milestones

At APW, we believe in recognizing the incredible dedication and accomplishments of our staff. Whether it's a career milestone, retirement, or years of service, these moments mark the impact our educators and team members have made in shaping our school community. Join us in celebrating the amazing individuals who make APW such a special place to learn and grow!

  • A staff milestone graphic celebrates Shawn Rivers, a SPED teacher, for 20 years at APW.

    What is something people may not know about you?

    I worked 10 years as a paraprofessional while I received my bachelor's and master's degrees.

     

    What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?

    Just knowing I made a connection with students that they feel comfortable asking for help post-graduation.

  • A staff milestone graphic features a photo of Kathy Gaffey, Teacher Aide, celebrating 20 years.

    What is something people may not know about you?

    What people may not know about me is that I love to go out on the motorcycle with my husband and enjoy the scenery on our rides. It makes you embrace God’s artwork.  

     

    What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?

    The month that I lost both of my parents. The love and support that my APW family surrounded me with was heartfelt

  • A staff milestone graphic featuring Hanna Weigel, an elementary teacher, celebrating 20 years.

    What is something people may not know about you?

    I have been skydiving

     

    What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?

    Morning program at Altmar Elementary, spending every morning together a a whole school allowed the students and staff to feel like family.

  • A staff milestone graphic celebrates Deb Wheeler's 20 years as a teaching assistant.

  • A photo of Chad Bigelow, celebrating his 20-year milestone at APW.

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I once wrote to every college in the United States, asking for college apparel and now my closet is full of hundreds of t-shirts from colleges coast to coast!
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Running into former students and their families years after they've been in class and seeing how well they are doing as young adults

  • A portrait of Denise West, a bus driver celebrating 30 years of service at APW.

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I went to school to be a teacher. 
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Working the after-prom party; I had so much fun!

  • A portrait of Brad Stewart, a math teacher celebrating 30 years at APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I spend my summer running the kitchen at the Lakeview Amphitheater.
         
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • The first time I had a parent meeting and realized that the parent was a former student will always stick with me. When former students see me and tell me that something I said, or did, or taught them had an impact on their life. It helps me remember why I went into teaching.

  • A portrait of Becky Mullin, a 6th grade teacher celebrating 30 years at APW, with a blue and yellow background.

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I once had the privilege of delivering a calf.
         
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Referral-free Fun Days at the Middle School when we transformed classrooms for cookie-stacking contests, miniature golf and dancing.

  • A photo of Michele Madden, a music teacher who has retired from APW, with the text "What is your favorite memory from your time at APW? Performing the Twelve Days of Christmas, with all the dance moves at a Holiday Concert. Concerts back then were K-5, a ton of work but so much fun!"

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • After teaching all areas of music for 34 years, I still love my job. I will certainly enjoy some down time, but I will miss working with great people and teaching students to enjoy music
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Performing the Twelve Days of Christmas, with all the dance moves at a Holiday Concert. Concerts back then were K-5, a ton of work but so much fun!

  • A smiling woman, Kelly Porter, is recognized as a retiree from her position as an elementary teacher at APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I love to travel and have been to many amazing places throughout my life. A few of my favorite experiences have been traveling in a gondola in Venice Italy, watching a mother and baby whale breach off the coast of Massachusetts, and seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. In my retirement I can’t wait to go on more adventures all over the world.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • My favorite memory at APW cannot be quantified to one specific moment but rather a feeling that I’ve had the opportunity to experience many times throughout my years in the district. Those moments come when the community I’ve helped shape within the classroom comes together to celebrate the successes of one another – especially the success of students who may struggle more than others to achieve certain learning goals.

  • A portrait of Patti Hall, a retiree and former teaching assistant, with the words 'Staff Milestones' and 'Retiree' displayed.

  • A smiling man, Vince Castellani, is recognized as a retiree from APW, where he worked as a Special Ed Teacher.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I am married to my high school sweetheart, we met in grade 10. I have a pet frog named Daisy who is at least 25 years old. I played college football for 3 years at UB
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • I have very fond memories of working at APW. All the way back to when Kelly Porter and I shared a room for our 1st few years, teaching grade 7 and grade 8. I have been lucky to work with great teachers and friends on Team 7 for a number of years, and I have truly enjoyed working with 7th grade students for my entire career

  • A portrait of Robin Bateman, an LPN, celebrating her retirement from APW. The image features a blue background with stars and the text 'Staff Milestones' and 'Retiree'.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I have seven children and 10 grandchildren and enjoy spending as much time with as I can.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • I enjoy going on the field trips and love to see the joy and excitement in the kids faces.

  • A smiling Sue Phillips, an elementary teacher, is recognized for her retirement from APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • My sister and I use to play “school” when we were growing up. We both grew up and became teachers.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Having AnneMarie McDermott as a parent volunteer when her son was in 2nd grade. She made our holiday parties special. Not only did she make special treats but also made holiday crafts with the students and homemade icecream. When she was hired I was excited because her son moved on and she didn’t have to.

  • A smiling woman, Kandy Pike, is recognized as a retiree from her role as a teacher aide at APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • My favorite place to spend time is the beach, on a warm summer day you are sure to find me at a local beach. In my retirement I hope to travel more and discover new beaches.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Altmar Elementary always had a schoolwide Christmas carol singalong in the gymnasium on the last day before Christmas break. That will forever be one of my fondest memories of my years at APW.

  • A portrait of Joe Lavalle, a custodian who is retiring from APW. The image features a blue background with gold stars and the words 'Staff Milestones' and 'Retiree'.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • People know me as Joe but my name is actually Ronald. I am also the pastor at West Amboy Church.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • When you are down and out this work family is always there for you. I lost my mom, my brother, and my son and the staff was always there for me. Thank you for all of the support.

  • A portrait of Nancy Britton, a cleaner who has worked at APW for 20 years, with a question about her favorite memory.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I'm looking forward to retiring and moving out of New York State to somewhere warmer.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Going to the Dome to watch our football team play which included my future son-in-law.

  • A portrait of Marilyn Kilts, a teacher aide celebrating 20 years at APW, with a quote about her favorite memory: attending the Special Olympics.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I love nature photography and graphic arts. My photos have won and placed in the top three in several local contests.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Going to the Special Olympics. To see the determination and smiles on the students' faces is priceless.

  • A portrait of Janice Weaver, a teacher aide at APW, celebrating 20 years of service. The image features a blue and yellow background with stars and the APW logo.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I enjoy hiking!
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Christmas concerts at Altmar Elementary. I just loved walking through the halls at Christmas time. I was a student there; my children went to school there and I had the privilege to work there.

  • A portrait of Michelle Jennings, an Account Clerk at APW, celebrating 20 years of service. The image features a blue background with gold stars and the APW logo.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • Not only were my 4 children and I born and raised Rebels, but I am a 3rd generation employee. My grandfather and my mother were both APW retirees
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Not so much one memory but how the staff has always pulled together to take care of our own when the need arose.

  • A smiling woman with glasses is featured in a staff milestone graphic, celebrating 20 years of service as an art teacher.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I like to go to new, interesting, places. I have been to several other countries: Mexico, Canada, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. I have also traveled back and forth across our own beautiful country a few times, saw many beautiful sights and visited some amazing National Parks including Rocky Mountain National Park, Badlands National Park, Olympic National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • All of the times that I got to work with small groups of kids on various projects – either something special we were creating to decorate our school, scenery for an elementary school concert, or just something they needed extra help finishing up.

  • A smiling woman, Karyn Roy, is recognized for her 20 years as a math teacher at APW.

     

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I started college as an art major.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Retiring as an undefeated, three-time champion in the human sled dog races.

  • A smiling woman with glasses is featured on a blue background with gold stars and the text 'Staff Milestones' and '20 Years'.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I have a degree in graphic design and fine arts. I tend to find myself using all types of art mediums and it is a hobby of mine.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • During my time here at APW I was honored to be the PTA president at Williamstown Elementary. I was able to work with some of the greatest parents and teachers. Within some of those great memories were planning Mother/Son movie nights, Father/Daughter dances, the Carnivals, bookfairs, PARP, and finally, our trip to Strong National Museum of Play.

  • A portrait of Dan Pone, a physical therapist celebrating 20 years at APW, with a quote about his favorite memory.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I race bicycles off road and play piano in my spare time.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • One of my favorite memories is when I held an American Diabetes Association fundraising event and the entire first grade raised money with a month-long penny war. The event finished with a parade around the track to celebrate and wish me well with my 100 mile bike ride in the ADA Tour de Cure!

  • A portrait of Becky Wagoner, a health teacher celebrating 20 years at APW, with a quote about her favorite memories.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I grew up on a dairy farm.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Some of my closest friends were colleagues of mine I met while working at APW. Some have since retired and others have moved on to work in other districts, but I will always reflect fondly on the memories we created while working together at APW.

  • A portrait of Amber Downey, a SPED teacher celebrating 20 years at APW, with a quote about her favorite memory.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I have gone kayaking in Juneau, Alaska.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • The Back to School picnics at Parish Elementary. It was always an enjoyable time visiting with all our students and their families to hear about their experiences over the past summer.

  • A smiling woman with glasses is featured in a staff milestone graphic. The graphic includes the words 'Staff Milestones,' 'APW,' and 'Tenure.'

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and my 3 year old pitbull, Monty. I also love to travel and be outside participating in activities such as hiking, biking and yoga. On the weekends, you can find me dining at local restaurants in Syracuse and attending sporting events such as Syracuse basketball. 
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • My favorite part of working at APW is connecting and building rapport with students. It has been so much fun as the years go by to see students grow. I love passing former students in the hallway and having them say, “miss you!”. I am lucky to be able to see many students (both past and current) on a daily basis throughout the building. 

  • A portrait of Michelle Rumble, a Special Ed Teacher, celebrating her tenure at APW. The image features a blue background with stars and the word 'Tenure' in a yellow circle.

     

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • As a child I lived in Germany, Holland and Brussels, due to my father being drafted into the Army. As an adult I have lived in Wyoming, North Carolina and of course New York.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Summer school this past year was a lot of fun. We taught the students how to cook a number of different easy and tasty items.

  • A smiling woman, Kelsey Veiga, is featured in a staff milestone graphic. She is a Special Ed Teacher at APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • I enjoy playing and watching tennis. This past summer I went to the U.S. Open for the first time.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • My favorite memory was producing the "APW Holiday Spectacular" with Mr. Veiga, Mr. Godzak, and Mr. Hill. It was a lot of fun to make this holiday short with our APW staff and the kids really enjoyed it!

  • A portrait of Crystal Reynolds, School Counselor, celebrating her tenure at APW.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • Many might not know, that I have a twin sister. She also works in education and often times if you were to see her out in the community and say "Hello Ms. Reynolds", she would say hello and pretend she was me! I do the same for her.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • Some of my favorite memories here at APW are during Holiday Giving time.  The staff and community rally together to help so many of our school families.

  • A portrait of Chia Lor, a math teacher, celebrating her tenure at APW. The image features a blue and yellow background with stars and the text 'Staff Milestones'.

     

    • What is something people may not know about you?
      • My former coworkers and I used to get together and we would make eggrolls.  By the time we were done, each of us would go home with an aluminum tray full of eggrolls.
    • What is your favorite memory from your time at APW?
      • All the Pep rallies. It is always something to look forward to.