October 2013
NEWS & NOTES
An Introductory Newsletter From
The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Team

 

Welcome back to a new school year!

 

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to everyone, put a face to a name so-to-speak, and share with you a few over-arching goals. We are the new C-I-A Team in Clarkstown - our work is focused on Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in our K-12 system. Your new team has an important balance of skills and experience across content and levels. We have all been classroom teachers for some length of time and still consider ourselves to be teachers, first.

 

We look forward to working with our parent community as we engage in the work of curriculum development, exploring instructional best practices, and building an internal assessment system that truly informs daily instruction to support the needs of all learners.

 

Throughout the school year we will be hosting curriculum evenings for parents that will focus on different topics of interest across the grade levels. You will be notified through our weekly flyer communication as the schedule is developed. Please do try to join us when your schedule permits.

 

Best,

Dr. Margaret Ruller

 

 



Margaret Ruller, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Ruller has spent the past twenty years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and district administrator in Westchester, Orange, Dutchess and now Rockland Counties. She began her teaching career after spending 15 years working with a private venture capital firm in New York City. Her classroom teaching included preschool, kindergarten and fourth grade. Her district administrator experience was focused on K-12 ELA, Social Studies and ESL. Dr. Ruller recently defended her dissertation which focused on the influence of teacher leadership on change initiatives.

Ellen Connors, Coordinator of Elementary Education 845-639-5641

Dr. Ellen Connors, a resident of Highland Falls and native northern New Yorker, joined the Clarkstown Central School District in February 2013. Throughout the past 25 years, Ellen has worked in various regions around the country and abroad, in the role of teacher, literacy specialist, curriculum director, and intermediate/middle school principal.As a self-described child advocate and lifelong learner, Ellen looks forward to partnering with the students, educators and greater CCSD community in the name of excellence in education for all!

Jennifer Cronk, Technology Learning Facilitator 845-639-6489

Jennifer has been working in the field of Educational Technology for 17 years. Through Educational Technology Jennifer has had the opportunity to teach every grade K-12, and help teachers utilize technology to transform their lessons.

Jane Dinnegan, Elementary Math Specialist  
845-639-5695

Jane Dinnegan works with Kristin Hanley as an Elementary Math Specialist in the district since January 2013. Prior to joining the team, Jane was a reading teacher at Congers Elementary. She also taught first and fourth grade at Link Elementary. Jane is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State
 
Kristin Hanley, Elementary Math Specialist

845-639-5694
Kristin Hanley is an Elementary Math Specialist. Her experience in education includes work with pre-K through grade 5 students. She was a teacher at Woodglen Elementary from 1999-2013. In 2011, she was a co-presenter at the annual conference for National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Indiana and again in 2012 at the regional conference in Hartford, CT. She joined the district team in January of 2013 and works with Jane Dinnegan supporting teachers in teaching and learning.

John Krouskoff, Director of Instructional Technology 845-639-6489

John Krouskoff oversees all instructional technology resources in the district, collaborating with teachers and principals to provide our students with the best learning tools available. A Google Certified Teacher and two-time LHRIC Pioneer Award winner, Krouskoff's experience as a teacher, professional development specialist, and 15 years as a central office administrator in Tarrytown and Clarkstown gives him a broad educational perspective. 
Neena Shaji, Data Manager 845-639-6477
Neena Shaji manages eSchooldata and the district's data warehouse tools.  She has more than 15 years of experience in the IT field as a database administrator and software developer and has an exceptional background in analysis, design, development, customization, and implementation and testing of software applications and products. Neena holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and in Statistics. She contributes her expertise in data analysis substantially and is honored to be a part of the Clarkstown School District.

Eric Sigman, K-12 STEM Coordinator 
845-639-5640

Eric Sigman joined the Clarkstown Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment team in August 2013 as
K-12 STEM Coordinator. Prior to being appointed in Clarkstown as STEM Coordinator, Mr. Sigman proudly served the Bedford Central School District for over 10 years as an administrator, professional developer and math teacher. His past experience includes teaching in New Rochelle High School in Westchester, N.Y. and many districts throughout Long Island, NY, where he grew up.

Eric holds a MA in Mathematics Education from Hofstra, MSeD in Educational Leadership from Manhattan College and a BA in Mathematics from SUNY Albany. He also holds a Certificate in Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology.  In his spare time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, Rebecca and four children.

Michael St. John, Coordinator of Secondary Education 845-639-5642

Mike St. John, a graduate of the University of Richmond, began his career teaching high school social studies in Richmond, Virginia. In 2003, he joined the Clarkstown Central School District as a seventh grade middle school social studies teacher. He has taught in Felix Festa the past ten years, the last three of which he was the social studies department chair. He now joins the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Team as the Coordinator of Secondary Education.

 

Liz vonWurmb, K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator 845-639-5617
Dr. Liz vonWurmb began teaching music in Clarkstown in 1977 and after many happy years joined the administrative staff as leader of the art and music departments. She earned a BS and MA in music education from NYU, a CAS in Educational Administration and Supervision from SUNY New Paltz, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany. Her research focus and interests include assessment (International and U.S.), performance assessment, and quantitative research.  

 

Michelle Zernone, K-12 ELA / Social Studies Coordinator  845-639-6473
Michelle Zernone, a proud K -12 Clarkstown graduate herself, is thrilled to be a part of the new Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment team, serving as the K-12 ELA (English Language Arts ) and Social Studies coordinator. Ms. Zernone has had many roles within her professional experience. She began her career as a Secondary English teacher. Subsequently, she has enjoyed her roles of professional developer, Middle School Director, ELA Instructional Supervisor, High School House Principal and Elementary Principal. 
Ms. Zernone also has engaged in working with professionals on the collegiate level as an adjunct professor for graduate education. Additionally,
Ms. Zernone is a published author of several books that focus on literacy and using informational text to help advance student achievement.


Clarkstown Central School District
62 Old Middletown Road | New City, NY 10956