Geoffrey Bizan
NYS Master Teacher

Geoffrey Bizan earned his BS in Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta, holds an MS as a Literacy Specialist from SUNY Albany and will earn a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Building Leadership in December 2018 from SUNY Plattsburgh. In 2013, Mr. Bizan became an Apple Distinguished Educator and achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist in 2015. Mr. Bizan has been teaching for 13 years and currently holds the position of High Potential/STEM teacher at Lake George Elementary School. Within the district, he is the Elementary Science Curriculum Leader and the coordinator of many enrichment opportunities for students such as Odyssey of the Mind and First Lego League. Outside of Lake George, Mr. Bizan works with educators from all over the region in his role as a Teacher Leadership Coach for Technology Integration at the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mr. Bizan is looking forward to collaborating and sharing best practices of STEM education with others.

No Additional Supplies Required

Annette Sebuyira
NYS Master Teacher

Annette Sebuyira earned her BS in Biochemistry from Elmira College, MS in Education from SUNY at Albany, and National Board Certification in Adolescent Science. Ms. Sebuyira teaches Advanced Placement, Regents, and Honors Lab Chemistry at Guilderland High School. Ms. Sebuyira is an adjunct of the Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) and has taught SUPA Chemistry and SUPA Forensics. Ms. Sebuyira is dedicated to dynamic teaching as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge in children and as such serves as the Club advisor to NYS District Key Club, Science Olympiad, and STAR (Students and Teachers against Racism). Outside of school, Ms. Sebuyira expands her STEM connection by being a Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Lead Teacher, has been a Camp invention instructor, and implemented the STEM in our Schools Day, Fifth- grade Program. She volunteers as a Trustee for the Local City Library, has been a two-time recipient of the YMCA Outstanding Educator Award and recognized by Channel 13 as Educator of the Week. Ms. Sebuyira is passionate about motivating her students and sharing the love of learning through STEM. As a NYS Master Teacher, Ms. Sebuyira looks forward to participating in the upcoming Green Chemistry Workshops, and joining the Common Science/Technology and Math Language Professional Learning Team.

Day 2: 2-3 Cups of Chopped Red Cabbage, Small Plastic Bottle (water – 12 oz. – 16 oz.), 6-8 plastic cups (clear =best), 6-8 fl. oz. each of; vinegar, ammonia, sprite, tap water, and shampoo

Susan Pienta
NYS Master Teacher

Susan Pienta earned her B.A. in Environmental Science from Boston University and M.A.T in Adolescent Education from Cornell University. She currently teaches Living Environment but has also taught Earth Science. Ms. Pienta has been teaching students in both indoor and outdoor classrooms for over ten years. Ms. Pienta was a Knowles Teaching fellow from 2014-2019 and hopes to continue to work towards increasing student equity and status in her classroom through well-designed group tasks. Before pursuing her Masters, Ms. Pienta was involved in watershed management and went back to school after realizing she missed working with kids. Outside of the classroom, she started an Astronomy Club at her previous school and was a co-advisor for the Post Prom Party. Outside of school, she loves cycling, hiking, and finding Adirondack swimming holes. She also accepts credit for helping to re-popularize fanny packs as both a fashion accessory and utilitarian necessity. As a NYS Master Teacher, Susan is looking forward to working with others to develop NGSS-aligned lessons and assessments in the classroom.

Day 1: 1- 9” X 13” Baking Pan or Pie Plate, Tap Water, 2 oz. – 4 oz. Vegetable Oil, 2-3
drops of Food Coloring (any color), access to; Pepper and other food seasonings (few
shakes each), for “clean up – Cotton Balls or Swabs (6-8), a sponge (any type), Dish soap
(drops), Spoons, Straws: plus optional rags (material made), napkins, paper towels, other
clean-up tools(?)

 Day 2: 1- 2 Liter Soda Bottle w/ the Bottom Cut Off, 1-2 Coffee Filters (or Paper
Towels), Cotton Balls (15-20), Sand and Gravel (1-2 handfuls), small stones (1-2
handfuls)
 Day 3: Not additional Materials Needed

Jeanine Flinton
NYS Master Teacher

Jeanine Flinton earned her BA in Geography/Urban Planning and her MS in Childhood Education from SUNY Plattsburgh. Prior to her 12-year teaching career, she worked in the private sector as a Site Planner for a Civil Engineering firm. Mrs. Flinton teaches Project Lead the Way (PLTW) STEM curriculum to Grades K-6 at Joseph Henry Elementary School. She also serves as a Project Lead the Way Master Teacher, providing training for PLTW teachers throughout the United States. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Women Educators and the Science Teachers Association of NYS. Within her school district, she serves as the coordinator for Odyssey of the Mind, STEM Club, Robotics Club, and the Science Fair. Mrs. Flinton is a member of the Technology Committee, Professional Development Committee, Academic Stakeholders, Galway PTSA, and has served on the Elementary Building Team. She also coaches the Junior/Senior High School Robotics Team. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking and kayaking. She is passionate about inspiring and empowering students, especially girls, to explore STEM careers and help prepare them for a global economy. As a NYS Master Teacher, Mrs. Flinton is looking forward to collaborating with her peers, participating in professional development, and sharing best practices.

30 Popsicle sticks (craft sticks), approximately 50 toothpicks, 12 pipe-cleaners any color,
1-small container or Play-doh (or equivalent) and 1 small bag of mini-marshmallows

Jessica Donnelly
NYS Master Teacher

Jessica Donnelly earned her B.S. in Biology from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, and an M.S.Ed. from The College of Saint Rose. Mrs. Donnelly has been teaching biology joyfully for 14 years and is a faculty member within Queensbury Union Free School District at the high school. Currently, she teaches HL and SL IB Biology courses along with Living Environment. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Donnelly worked as a research technician at Albany Medical College within the Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology department focusing on research involving Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Donnelly currently holds the position of CAS Coordinator, she is a three-time co-class advisor and serves on various committees within the school district. You will often see her at school dances, class activities, sporting events, or selling concessions at fundraising events for her students. Connecting students to science in an authentic way is an important aspect to Mrs. Donnelly’s teaching philosophy, to support this she led a group of 12 Queensbury High School students to Yellowstone National Park in conjunction with Ecology Project International. During this experience, her students conducted National Park Service research on bison grazing with park scientists, amphibian surveys, and invasive species removal service projects for the park. Mrs. Donnelly is looking forward to developing authentic student research more deeply within her classroom and communicating with other master teachers on improving her methodologies. Mrs. Donnelly believes new knowledge can be gained from every aspect of life through daily interactions with our surrounding environment and one another. She identifies herself as a naturalist, a free spirit and a true lifelong learner and gains inspiration from the following quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever.” If Mrs. Donnelly is not busy with her students at school you will most likely see her with her family and dog enjoying her favorite activities of camping, hiking, and kayaking across the Adirondack Park, or possibly elbow-deep working in her perennial garden, most likely watching birds.

3 – 4 Clear Plastic Soda (water) Bottles (2-liter best), an Egg yolk for each bottle, Pond
Mud (really! – from local pond, stream, lake or river – the more “life” in the water the
better) – enough to fill the bottle ¼ of the way), several pieces of Newspaper

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