Berlin CSD is excited to welcome new and familiar faces to the BCSD staff. Please welcome Mrs. Dawn Demick Mrs. Tina Sams, Mrs. Rebecca Gryn, Mrs. Megan Gallup, Mrs. Katlyn Quidgeon, Mrs. Carol Winner, Mrs. Carolyn Fleming and Ms. Alyssa Bierwirth to BCSD. Learn more about our new BCSD staff in their own words below.
Dawn Demick
Executive Secretary & District Clerk
Berlin Central School District
I grew up “over the mountain” in Pittstown, NY and graduated high school from Tamarac High School. After I graduated high school I attended Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) where I took classes in humanities and music. After SCCC I attended SUNY Oneonta and received my BA in Music Business.
A couple of years after college I took a position at Rensselaer County Social Services as a Social Welfare Examiner. During this time I was married and gave birth to my daughter. When she began school I wanted to pursue a career that was more conducive to her schedule. Thirteen years ago I came to Berlin as a substitute. Over my years at Berlin I have held the positions of Monitor, Teaching Assistant, Clerk Typist and Senior Typist and have worked in all of our district buildings. I have gained a lot of experience and joy interacting with all the students, faculty & staff, and families in our district over the years. I look forward to the new and exciting experiences this position will bring.
I live in Berlin with my husband Paul and daughter Chloe. My husband and my daughter are both graduates of Berlin High School. My daughter is a member of the most recent graduating class of 2021. She is now attending college, pursuing her BA in Dance Studies. Since she is our only child, my husband and I are relatively new empty nesters and are working on finding our new normal.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy attending my daughter’s performances and games at her college.
Tina Sams
BMHS Monitor
What is your education background?
High school graduate
What is your background like – previous jobs?
Before coming to the Berlin community, I worked at LNG (Liquid Nitrogen Gas) Plants. I was a safety coordinator.
Tell us about your family?
We moved from Texas to be closer to our son who is a full time Staff Sargent in the Army. I have been married to my husband for 33 years.
What are your interests outside of school?
I love to read and explore the outdoors. Hopefully fishing in these abundant lakes.
Rebecca Gryn
BES Teaching Assistant
I have been subbing and working in the pre-k program since 2016. I love working in our school and getting to know all the students and families.
It has been wonderful watching the students grow!
I was a stay at home Mom for a few years before that and many don’t know I was an orthodontic assistant for 13 years. I originally graduated with a degree in Psychology but have always wanted to be a teacher. Now being a teacher assistant is exactly where I want to be!
I am married with four kids. Three are in middle school and one is a freshman at Hartwick College. I have 3 dogs, 1 cat, 25 chickens, 5 ducks, 2 turkeys and a goose. Oh & 2 rabbits… It’s a crazy house but I love it that way. I’d love to have some goats and sheep some day. Although my daughter wants a horse!
I love warm weather and summer activities like boating (not so much winter). We’re so lucky to have Grafton State Park close by. Most of my time is spent running my kids around to sports and friends. In the winter I like my wood stove and watching home decorating shows.
I’m so happy to join the BES Special Education Department and a wonderful team!
Megan Gallup
BES Teacher Assistant
I was homeschooled, I did attend private school for a few years before returning to homeschooling. After graduating high school I attended Berkshire Community College and then Western Governors University, and I am certified through the Gemological Institute of America as a Accredited Jewelry Professional.
I spent 4 years as a Jeweler’s assistant. I then moved into work for a few years in a veterinary office. Then into substituting for a few school districts.
I have a husband and two daughters that are 7 and 9. Aleah who is 9 is very interested in art and drama club. Emma is our 7 year old and she loves science and loves to be silly. Jared is my husband and we just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! Funny thing is he also works at Berlin elementary school!
I very much like to camp with my in-laws and do as much as possible over the summer. I also am a bit of a video game lover, I play to help me relax. I enjoy baking with my two girls and spending time with my family. I recently retired from horseback riding in dressage competitions, It was a very big part of my life for many years.
Katlyn Quidgeon
BES Monitor
I am a former student of Berlin Central Schools. Although I am a graduate of Brunswick Central School, Class of 2008. After high school, I went to Hudson Valley Community College to further my education in Human Services, and am hoping to go back in the future to finish my degree. Some students may remember me because I am a former employee of Capital District Beginnings and worked with the preschool class at BES. Before I came back to work at BES I was a stay at home Mom with my boys . I am a proud mom, and step mom to 7, (yes you read that right ) awesome boys Jordan (16) Jacob (14) Zachary (13) Jameson (10) Jase (8) Carter (8) and Alexander (5). Zack , myself and the boys love spending any spare time we have outside or you can catch the boys and I in the kitchen baking. Spending time with my family is my absolute favorite thing to do .
Carol Winner
BES Monitor
Here is a bit about me. I’ve been married 40 years. I have four fabulous children, Justin 39, Jonathan 36, Courtney 33 and Stephanie 33. Jonathan died age 33.
I have eight grandchildren, they are the joy of my life.
I am a licensed Cosmetologist.
My background with children, I had a licensed daycare for a few years, I worked at St. Coleman’s daycare for five years. I was a TA at Lansingburgh. I taught 1st grade and 10th grade Religion.
My interests are my family, spending time with my family is my greatest interest.
Carolyn Fleming
BES Physical Therapist
I went to Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts for my Physical Therapy degree. I also went to Hudson Valley Community College for a paramedic certification.
I have worked most recently at Questar in many of their settings including Rensselaer Academy, George Washington, Maple Hill, Academy at Rensselaer education center and Catskill Academy. Prior to that, I worked for East Greenbush Central School. I have also worked with adults in many settings including at Teresian House Nursing Home, Eddy VNA doing home care here in Berlin and Stephentown as well as throughout Rensselaer County. I worked at St. Peter’s hospital for many years and started my career at Sunnyview Rehab Hospital. I have also been a volunteer EMT for Hoags Corners for many years.
My husband works in Albany and is the supervisor of the town of Nassau. He is also the caretaker of our small sheep farm in Dunham Hollow. I have a son, Will who is a Junior in College studying Political Science, Communications and plays D3 lacrosse. My younger son, James is a freshman at Merrimack College studying Criminal Justice. We have 2 cats and 15 Sheep.
Now that I am an empty nester I look forward to developing some hobbies. I do enjoy hiking, sailing and spending time with family on the beach.
Alyssa Bierwirth
BES Building Substitute
I graduated from Berlin High School in 2017. Following graduation, I attended SUNY New Paltz and studied Art Education before making the decision to move back home and attend Hudson Valley Community College. There, I received my Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education. I went on to attend The College of Saint Rose where I received my Bachelor in Science degree in Early Childhood & Childhood Education with a concentration in English Language Arts. I am now attending SUNY Albany for my masters degree.
I have been working since I was able. When I was 14, I took care of horses and ducks for a local woman. When I decided it was time to move on, I began working at Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, MA. Aside from being welcomed as a new member of the family, I helped out quite a bit on the farm. I did everything and anything, from planting trees and cleaning stalls to waitressing and running the gift shop. You can still find me there on the weekends during their pancake season! As far as working with children, I have been a babysitter for just as long. As much as I loved working on farms, my passion is in working with children. Eventually, I’d like to become a full-time classroom teacher.
I grew up in Petersburg with my mom, dad, and three sisters. My dad works for the Rensselaer County ARC caring for adults with disabilities and delivers newspapers early in the morning. My mom is a former newspaper carrier. In recent years, my family grew and I now have a stepdad, two nieces, and one nephew added to the mix.
Outside of school you can find me going for walks, baking my infamous chocolate chip cookies, camping, and playing with my nieces and nephew.