BCSD is excited to shine a light on its wonderful and dedicated staff each month. Get to know a little more about November’s featured staff members Ms. Samantha DeCarciofolo, Ms. Jillian Daby, Ms. Amanda Hayes, Mr. Paul Slaver, Ms. Debby Maxon and Ms. Laura Witbeck.
BCSD will quote the featured staffs’ responses to a light-hearted questionnaire. This is an opportunity for the staff at BCSD to share more about themselves as well as offer some advice from their perspective.
Ms. Samantha DeCarciofolo
Berlin Middle School
Social Studies Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
My favorite memory from when I was in school was participating on the cross country team. I’m so happy that I now get to coach the sport!
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
In my free time I like to play games on my Nintendo Switch.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
When the students are excited about the topic we are learning and want to know more!
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
Always ask them about their day! They might have a funny story or they might need some cheering up if it was a rough day.
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
GeoGuessr! It’s a fun online activity that helps students with their geographical awareness.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would love to take my students to London. There’s so much history and cool places to visit!
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Ms. Jillian Daby
Berlin Elementary School
Monitor
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
When I went on my senior trip to the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
Students would be surprised to know that I have a Criminal Investigation Degree.
Hidden talent is making homemade chocolates.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
Being able to make a positive impact on a student’s day.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
What did you learn today? How was your day?
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Educational websites and using hands-on activities.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would take them to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
It would be any of the Stephen King books.
Ms. Amanda Hayes
Berlin Middle High School
Science Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
Playing softball and winning our sectional game. I also really enjoyed all of the volunteering opportunities that we had with the National Honor Society.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I love being outdoors. Hiking, biking, camping, four wheeling or sitting by the campfire. I also am into crafting like sewing and painting.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
When students come into class excited to learn about science. Any day that we have science club afterschool is a great day too.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
What did you learn today that interested you?
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Being in contact with your students’ teacher is super important. Be sure ask questions about what they are learning and how it is being taught.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
The Galapagos Islands because it is such a unique place and so rich in natural science.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
“Zoology” by Ben Dolnick
Mr. Paul Slaver
Berlin Middle High School
Monitor
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
Going to the second round of softball sectionals last year with the BNL Varsity Girls Softball team.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I have been coaching three sports for over 20 years. I enjoy landscaping and hunting.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
When kids are respectful and doing their best to do the right thing.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
Ask them how their day was and if everything is okay then, make sure to listen to their response. Be there for them.
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Books and face to face conversations.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
Space, so they can look back at their fragile planet and want to take better care of it when they return.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Something by Steven King, I love Stephen King books.
Ms. Debby Maxon
Berlin Central School District
Bus Driver
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
Home Economics class, I learned how to sew and made an entire maternity wardrobe for my English teacher (I passed Home Economics with flying colors!).
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I have a passion for sewing but have not had the time to do much. In my early years I made many christening gowns and Halloween costumes.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ on the bus?
A good day on my bus run is when all the kids are getting along.
4. What do you love most about being part of the BCSD Transportation Department?
What I love about working in the Transportation Department is meeting new people, making new friends and seeing those that I have been friends with for a long time
5. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
If I could take my students on a field trip it would be to an amusement park so they could go on unlimited rides and eat all kinds of fun food without having to spend a dime.
6. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
My trapped on a Desert island book would be anything by Elin Hilderbrand.
Ms. Laura Witbeck
Berlin Elementary School
First Grade Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
I remember learning about the rainforest in third grade. We read and studied and then wrote our own play about the rainforest. We made our costumes, the script, and the sets. We got to invite our families in for the performance and even shared a special snack with them afterward. Mrs. DelMerico made school FUN and I knew even when I was a kid that I would be a teacher myself someday!
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
My high school soccer team won the NYS championship my senior year. I then played four years of college soccer at SUNY Oneonta. I miss it and hope to join an adult league one of these days!
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
A day where students are engaged in their learning – listening, reading, writing, thinking, playing, questioning, problem solving both on their own and in cooperation with classmates… all while having fun at the same time! 🙂
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
What was one thing that you loved about today? What was something that was hard for you today?
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
More time for music, art, nature, creative thinking and writing!
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia!
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
I have thought long and hard about this and am really struggling to decide on a book! I think I will go with one of my childhood/teacher favorites – Where the Side Walk Ends by Shel Silverstein – lots of silly poems to keep me laughing if I was stuck on an island!