Contacts

Officers

Chair and Elementary SAR: Nancy Coddington

Nancy Coddington is the Director of Science Content, Services & Programming for WSKG Public Media. Ms. Coddington is a nationally certified PBS SciGirls trainer, promoting gender equitable science through professional development, outreach efforts and after school programming. Ms. Coddington received her B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science from Empire State College. She also attended SUNY Cortland for Elementary Education. Ms. Coddington is a strong advocate in offering hands-on, inquiry based science opportunities to underserved youth. In addition, Ms. Coddington serves as the PR/Communications Lead for the NY STEAM Girls Collaborative Project, Southern Section STANYS Chair, Southern Section Elementary SAR, Communications lead on the board of directors for The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier and serves on several regional coalitions.

Vice-Chair: Ken Lyman

Ken Lyman earned his B.S. at the State University of New York at Geneseo and his master’s degree at Binghamton University. He has been teaching at Jennie F. Snapp Middle School in the Union Endicott School District for 21 years. Ken was recently selected into the NYS Master Teacher Program.

Southern Region Director: Maureen Smith

Maureen Smith earned a BS in Aquatic Fisheries Science from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. She then joined the Peace Corps where she volunteered for 2 years in Ecuador. During this time Maureen worked on several Eco-tourism initiatives in her village as well as working with a women’s group on a sewing project. Mrs. Smith also created a group for local students to attend in order to get help on their schoolwork as well as learn English. After finishing her time with the Peace Corps, Maureen attended SUNY Cortland where she received her Master of Arts in Teaching. After graduation Maureen taught at Chenango Forks in both the middle school and high school for several years. While at Chenango Forks he ran the middle school Science Olympiad team, as well as the Video Production club and coached JV Girls Lacrosse. Maureen currently works at Broome-Tioga BOCES as the Regional Science Professional Development Specialist. In this role she is working with the schools in the region to enhance Science education and collaboration in the Southern Tier.

Secretary: Mary Joggerst

Bio coming soon!

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Treasurer: Deb Daugherty

Deborah Daugherty earned her BS in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University, MS in Electrical Engineering from Binghamton University, and certification in Physics and Technology from SUNY Cortland. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Daugherty was an engineer at General Electric and Lockheed Martin in the Southern Tier. In the classroom for 13 years, Mrs. Daugherty teaches Physics at Union-Endicott (UE) High School, where she also served as the Science Department Instructional Leader, a coach for UE’s Science Olympiad teams for several years, and now advisor for a FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team, TigerTronics. The TigerTronics Team has expanded in the past two years to include students from Vestal Central School. In addition to her school responsibilities, she was also a Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (STLE) Coach for the UE Science Department. Mrs. Daugherty loves to ride her Harley Davidson motorcycle, exploring our great country on two wheels. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Daugherty looks forward to learning new skills and joining Professional Learning Teams intending to improve student skills in Math, Physics and Engineering.

Subject Area Representatives

Applied Sciences and Engineering: Deb Daugherty

Biology: Jessica Schindler

Jessica Schindler earned her BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, MSEd in Biology and Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Cortland. Ms. Schindler also holds a certification in Wilderness Survival and Kamana III from Wilderness Awareness School, along with Tracking II from Cybertracker. She enjoys traveling and interacting with animals around the world. In 2001, Ms. Schindler became a biology teacher at Greene High School and currently teaches Living Environment courses to 10th graders, Anatomy & Physiology to 11th and 12th graders and thanks to her work with Master Teacher a Forensic’s class to 11th and 12th graders. She has coached JV soccer and Varsity track, but her passion has been coaching her Envirothon teams. Ms. Schindler is the Science Department Chair, mentors colleagues and student teachers, and is co-leader of the school’s Makerspace. Outside of school, Ms. Schindler loves to track animals, hike, and spend time with her Yorkies that are trained therapy dogs. She travels with students through EF Tours reaching faraway places like the Galapagos Islands, Belize, and Europe. Ms. Schindler is passionate about helping all students to reach their potential in science and to explore the outside world. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Schindler loves to collaborate with colleagues and completely enjoys facilitating PLT’s the most current one being The Whale Pod.

Chemistry: Rick Rutherford

Rick Rutherford earned a BS in Biology Education from SUNY Cortland and an MS in Science Education from the State University of Albany. For the last 11 years he has taught at the Harpursville Jr/Sr High School. He is currently teaching Chemistry and College Biology. Additionally, he is the Chemistry SAR for STANYS, a member of the American Association of Chemistry Teachers, and a NYS Master Teacher. Outside of the classroom he helps plan the annual Invention Convention as well as coaches Cross-Country. His favorite element is Rutherfordium, (symbol Rf, atomic number 104

College: Jeffrey Radloff

Jeffrey Radloff earned his BS in Biology and MS in Ecology and Evolution from Purdue University North Central, and his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University West Lafayette. He is now an Assistant Professor at SUNY Cortland who teaches the senior elementary science methods course and helps facilitate regular student trips to Camp Huntington and Antlers at Raquette Lake. Through his work, Jeffrey advocates for the use of equitable STEM teaching methods to help students personally connect with STEM and is extensively focused on understanding how to best support K-12 educators’ adoption and adaption of integrated STEM pedagogies. Additionally, he is the current STANYS Subject Area Representative at the College level.

Earth Science: Timothy Conner

Timothy Conner earned his BA in Geology from Hamilton College and MSEd in Earth Science from Binghamton University. Mr. Conner retired from Chenango Forks Central School District after completing 32 years of teaching, 24 of which were spent as Science Department Chair. He is currently an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Geology at SUNY Cortland.

Intermediate: Libbie Haller

Elisabeth (Libbie) Haller earned her B.S in Biology and Chemistry minor from SUNY Cortland and her M.S.Ed from the College of St. Rose. Before teaching, she was a zookeeper and worked at a wildlife rescue in South Africa. Libbie began teaching in 2010 and has experience with grades 7-12, teaching biology, as well as science electives. She also was the STEM Coordinator for BOCES, where she facilitated STEM curriculum for 9 component districts. Currently, Libbie is teaching 8^th grade Physical Science and Living Environment at Johnson City Middle School. She is also the robotics coach. Outside of school Libbie has helped found the Binghamton Pond Festival, an outdoor hockey tournament that benefits youth mental health awareness. Libbie also enjoys playing ice hockey, a sport she has played through the collegiate level. She is passionate about STEM because she loves seeing students discover the world around them. She teaches using her old HS motto: pro vita non pro schola discimus; learning not for school, but for life.

Physics: Chris Ruston

Christopher Ruston has earned an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Chemical Engineering Technology from Broome Community College, a B.S. in Chemistry from Syracuse University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Binghamton University. Christopher teaches at Johnson City High School and has experience teaching at grade levels 8-12. He has taught both Chemistry and Physics at levels from local to AP as well as several other science elective courses. Prior to teaching, Christopher enjoyed a career as an industrial research and process chemist working in the paper industry. Mr. Rushton coaches his school’s Science Olympiad team and is the faculty advisor for the High School Gay-Straight Alliance. Christopher has been active in community development projects including organizing neighborhood events and serving as block captain for his Neighborhood Watch group. Christopher enjoys spending his spare time with his family, especially his children and new grandchild. A hobby that occupies much of his time is training for and participating in endurance triathlon and running events including recently completing his first marathon. As a Master Teacher, he is interested in workshops related to maker spaces and inclusion and is most looking forward to having the opportunity to collaborate with other Physics teachers at the monthly cohort meetings.

Retiree: Cora Walter

Cora is a retired science teacher of 40 years and taught in the Department of Defense Schools (Pacific and Atlantic Regions) Catholic Schools of Broome County and others. Cora is an advocate and judge for the e-cybermission, a virtual science program encouraging students to further their STEM discoveries. She enjoys traveling, her grandchildren and good wine.