Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES

Watch the WKTV story on this week's Greater Mohawk Valley Construction Career Day here: https://www.wktv.com/news/education/next-generation-explores-construction-future-in-mohawk-valley/article_1cb665d4-011f-4e02-8a65-5f968b653a3e.html Thanks to everyone who helped with this great event!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Ian Wiernicki! Supervisor of Special Education at the WEB Complex Danielle Wayman submitted the following nomination for Ian Wiernicki: "I am honored to nominate Ian for this well-deserved recognition. Ian is an outstanding educator whose leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact across our school community. He actively mentors new teachers, offering consistent support and guidance that helps them thrive in their roles. Ian is also a key contributor on various BOCES committees, demonstrating a strong commitment to shaping and improving educational practices. Always willing to lend a hand, he is a trusted resource for fellow autism teachers, generously sharing his expertise and time. Ian embraces innovation, regularly incorporating new practices and technology into his teaching, and he takes initiative in piloting new curriculum to enhance student learning. His professionalism, collaborative spirit, and forward-thinking mindset make Ian a truly inspiring educator and colleague." Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Danielle Ward! Supervisor of Special Education at the WEB Complex Danielle Wayman submitted the following nomination for Danielle Ward: “I am proud to nominate Danielle Ward for her outstanding contributions to our school community. Danielle creates a truly inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. Her use of project-based learning fosters deep engagement and critical thinking, while her leadership in organizing school-wide events—such as Dr. Seuss Week—builds a strong sense of community and excitement around learning. Danielle consistently goes above and beyond by inviting other classrooms to participate in enriching opportunities and creating connections that benefit all students. Her classroom runs like a well-oiled operation, reflecting thoughtful planning, strong relationships, and a consistently high level of learning. Danielle’s dedication, creativity and collaborative spirit make her a remarkable educator and a vital part of our school.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

Educators shine! As Herkimer BOCES continues to celebrate Educators Appreciation Week, we provided our educators with sunglasses and posters yesterday and asked them to come up with creative photos to show educators shining! Thank you, educators, for shining bright for our students! View more photos on Facebook and Instagram!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Georgia Waite! Principal of Pathways Academy Cory Pike and Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy Terrence Campo submitted the following nomination for Georgia Waite: “I’d like to highlight Mrs. Waite for her outstanding work as a special education teacher. Despite having a large caseload, she remains incredibly kind, student-centered and dedicated. Her strong work ethic and exceptional organizational skills make her a role model for others. She always puts students first and is an essential part of our team.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Jocelyn Van Veslor! Supervisor of Special Education at Central Valley P-4 Abby Broekhuizen submitted the following nomination for Jocelyn Van Veslor: “As a first-year teacher, she has jumped into her role with incredible energy, creativity and dedication. She goes above and beyond by designing hands-on activities that teach essential life skills such as running a store and simulating real-world experiences like owning a hair salon. Her innovative approach not only engages her students but also prepares them for everyday situations outside the classroom. Jocelyn’s passion and commitment are truly commendable, especially for someone new to the profession.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Amanda Edwards! Supervisor of Special Education at the WEB Complex Danielle Wayman submitted the following nomination for Amanda Edwards: "Shout out to Amanda Edwards, a first-year teacher at Herkimer BOCES, for setting the bar high with her dedication, innovation, and passion for teaching. She brings energy and excellence to her classroom, holding both students and staff to high standards. Amanda embraced the gamification project through the Katie Hanifin/Kelly Cave cohort, integrating technology in engaging and meaningful ways. She’s a strong advocate for her students, uses data to drive success, and is an outstanding team player. We’re lucky to have her on the team!" Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Rob DeBiase! Principal of Pathways Academy Cory Pike and Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy Terrence Campo submitted the following nomination for Rob DeBiase: “I’d like to recognize Mr. Rob, our security officer, for the positive energy and reliability he brings to our school community every day. He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, is dependable and hardworking, and is someone you can count on in a crisis. He also builds strong relationships with students and has gone above and beyond this year by helping to establish after-school intramurals—a great addition to our school culture.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Matt Boulerice! Principal of Supervisor of Secondary ARCHES, DEI and Restorative Practices Patricia Wilson submitted the following nomination for Matt Boulerice: “Matt Boulerice is an integral member of our BOCES ninth grade ARCHES classroom team. As a behavior specialist, he brings a calm, steady presence to our students and staff alike. With his soft-spoken demeanor, patience, insight and easygoing wit, Mr. Boulerice builds meaningful connections that foster trust and respect—two essential pillars of success in our therapeutic environment. This year, Mr. Boulerice has gone above and beyond his role by stepping in to support and mentor new staff members. His leadership is rooted in deep knowledge, strong relationships and a trauma-sensitive mindset. It’s clear that his colleagues admire him and value his guidance. He knows the work, understands the students and models best practices with consistency and care. Mr. Boulerice’s impact extends beyond his assigned classroom. He frequently supports multiple rooms across the program, always bringing the same level of dedication and professionalism. Students appreciate him. Staff rely on him. He is the kind of team member who quietly lifts everyone around him. This is challenging work. The rewards can be rare and the demands high. Yet, Mr. Boulerice leads by example – showing us how to remain grounded, how to care for ourselves while caring for others and how to stay true to our mission. Every team deserves a “Mr. Boulerice” – a reliable, knowledgeable and compassionate professional who makes a daily difference. We are fortunate to have Matt Boulerice on our ARCHES team. His contributions are invaluable, and his presence is deeply appreciated.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Gerald Blair! Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy Terrence Campo submitted the following nomination for Gerald Blair: “Mr. Blair is outstanding with students – he works hard to build genuine, personal relationships, and his classes are consistently engaging and fun. Beyond the classroom, he contributes so much to our school community. He’s the advisor and organizer of our Creative Writing Lunch Club, creating a space for students to express themselves and connect with peers. This year, he also stepped up as the advisor for our GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) after the previous advisor left, showing his commitment to supporting all students. In addition, Mr. Blair serves on our Restorative Practices Committee, where his dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture is clear. He’s a wonderful teacher and a huge part of what makes our school environment so special.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

The Herkimer BOCES Educator Appreciation Spotlight shines on: Elizabeth Amthor! Supervisor of Special Education at Central Valley P-4 Abby Broekhuizen submitted the following nomination for Elizabeth Amthor: “Elizabeth embodies what it means to be an educator, not only through her dedication to teaching but also in the deep love she shows for her students every day. Her commitment to advocating for all her students and every student knows they matter. Beyond the classroom, Elizabeth enriches our BOCES through meaningful community partnerships. Her partnership with the DEC brings unique and impactful learning opportunities to our students. Through these connections, she not only enhances science education but also instills in students a strong sense of environmental responsibility and community engagement.” Herkimer BOCES is celebrating Educator Appreciation on Teacher Appreciation Week this week!

Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy students visited the CTE Cosmetology program Friday at the WEB Complex, where they received free haircuts and manicures from Cosmetology seniors! “Our students were bused over in the morning and had a great time – it was a really positive experience for everyone involved!” Pathways Academy Assistant Principal Terrence Campo said.

Create your future with a Career and Technical Education at Herkimer BOCES! View a short video clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICh4c4cc6qc Contact us at 315-867-2000 and ask about signing up for CTE! Or find more info at www.herkimer-boces.org/cte

Prepare for an exciting career with a CTE program at Herkimer BOCES View a short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9oVYlCsbs Contact us at 315-867-2000 and ask about signing up for CTE! Or find more info at www.herkimer-boces.org/cte

Achieve your potential with a Career and Technical Education at Herkimer BOCES! View a short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vhS72r_47w Contact us at 315-867-2000 and ask about signing up for CTE! Or find more info at www.herkimer-boces.org/cte

The Criminal Justice junior class welcomed Investigator Monahan of the New York State Police in their classroom Thursday! As part of the Criminal Justice program, the students learn about various law enforcement topics, and during Thursday's discussion, they learned the process of when and how to obtain a search warrant with the help of Investigator Monahan.

Congratulations to Melinda Kisker on receiving tenure at Wednesday’s Herkimer BOCES Board of Education meeting! Melinda received tenure in the area of teaching assistant in Herkimer BOCES Special Programs based at Central Valley. She is pictured with Herkimer BOCES Supervisor of Special Education at Central Valley 5-12 Patty Frank and District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson.

"Up on the rooftop..." Santa came to visit students at the Herkimer BOCES Remington Educational Complex on Friday before break!

Happy holidays from Herkimer BOCES! For some seasonal reading, check out the December 2024 issue of the Herkimer BOCES Inside Look newsletter released today! Read it here: https://herkimerboces.edurooms.com/engage/herkimer-fulton-hamilton-otsego-boces/newsletters/herkimer-boces-inside-look-december-2024

Congratulations to Craig Farley on receiving tenure at Thursday’s Herkimer BOCES Board of Education meeting! Craig is a special education teacher at Pathways Academy and received tenure in the area of general special education.