Type Of Business:
1) University 2) School District
Marketing Area:
1) National 2) Regional
Expertise:
Ms. Marsh's expertise is in administration oversight.
Major Product/SVS:
1) Higher Education 2) Education
Favorite Business Publication:
Educational Leadership
Hobbies/Sports:
Quilting, Reading, Golfing, Spending Time with her Family
Education Degrees:
Master of Education, The College at Brockport; Master's Degree in Administration, The College at Brockport; Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, SUNY Geneseo
Affiliations Awards:
Secretary, Nunda Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, Nunda Kiwanis; Advisor, Nunda Youth Group; Livingston County Health Partnership for Youth; Keshequa Alumni Association; President, Keshequa Retired Teachers Association; School Administrators Association of New York State; New York State Women in Administration Association
Industry:
Educational Administration
Children's Names:
Dana, Eric, Brian
Date of Distinction:
11/6/2008
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
As I reflect on what separates me apart from other educators, it is that I believe that I can make a difference in a student's life. Giving words of encouragement, extending your open heart and hands to friendship, respecting every student regardless of their background, looking for the simplest compliment to gain the trust of a student, willing to give myself beyond the classroom and school building, and most importantly being willing to listen and not pass judgment. I have always share with my students that each day is a new day and a new beginning. We should learn from our successes and failures, and begin each day as a new beginning. To me this profession was never about monetary success but the sincere desire to help others with life's trials and tribulations.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Writing about my greatest achievement sincerely brings tears to my eyes and heart. There have been so many trials and tribulations during my life here on Earth. Although there are several achievements, I will share few of them. First is being the first person in my family to graduate from college and return to my hometown and teach - to give back to my community. Second, being a mother of three beautiful sons who all went to college and have become successful professional adults, and meeting the love of my life, my husband Bob. Third, to have former students return and say thank you with their arms wrapped around me with big hugs. They too, had broken the cycle of poverty. Lastly the latest and greatest achievement was to have a young music teacher who was wronged in an educational setting, sought guidance from me, and went on to another school district. His first band performance received a standing ovations! He loves his new school and position. Oh, what life has to offer, if you first give from your heart and treat people with respect.
Expanded Biography:
'If you give from the heart and treat people with respect, you will feel the fulfillment of what life has to offer you - even though sometimes you may feel like you are walking alone.' Being the oldest of five children whose father quit school in the ninth grade and whose mother had a high school diploma but no job skills meant for trying times. Education was not a top priority as both parents tried to support the family on a small rural farm plus working minimum wage jobs on the side. They believed sending their kids to school was just something the state required. Therefore, skipping school on a daily basis to work on the farm was acceptable to my parents. For my first seven years of school, I missed at least 90 days a school year but yet passed each grade with average to above average performances. As a child I loved playing school and dreamed about becoming a teacher someday. But it was only a dream - we were too poor for me to go to college. And so life went on! My life continued with hard physical work on the farm during my high school years. I was responsible for milking and feeding 30 cows twice a day during the regular school year plus manual labor jobs that needed to be done on the farm. That meant 8 hours a day of farm work plus going to school. During the summers beginning at the age of 12, I drove farm equipment to plant and harvest crops plus milk cows. However, ti was in my seventh grade school year, a music teacher took an interest in me. He continuously talked to me, asking questions about my family life. He treated me with respect and he listened. He set it up that his wife would teach me how to play the piano. He encouraged me to think about going to college - to dream and to prepare for a future beyond just getting married and not leaving the impoverished area. Well, I listened to the music teacher. I took Regents-level courses, joined all the music groups and took leadership roles in the clubs and of my classes in addition to working on the family farm. When graduation came, I was ready to leave and go to college. However, my mother tried to stop the momentum as she wanted me to stay on the farm. She refused to offer help to complete the paperwork for college and refused to give any financial help in any shape or form. The music teacher came to my aid. He contracted the college financial aid office and between the two of them I was able to attend Finger Lakes Community College. I went on to graduate with honors and transferred to SUNY Geneseo. I then graduated with an elementary/special education teaching degree and returned to my hometown to a high school special education teaching position. A few years later I transferred to the elementary setting and taught grades one through five over a 30-year span. My final educational years were as a middle and high school principal for this hometown school that has helped to educate me and my three sons. It was such an honor to give back to the community that had given me the dream of a lifetime - to be a teacher!
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspect of her career is having the ability to impact her students' lives.
Charity:
Local Community Children's Organizations; Dalton United Methodist Church; President-Elect, Nunda Rotary
Number Of Years In Profession:
39
Number Of Years In Current Position:
2
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her love for children and leadership skills.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because f her desire to help children.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. Marsh is the council person for the town of Nunda. As a teacher, she taught high school special education and grades one through five over a span of 32 years. Her last four years were spent working as a middle and high school principal.
Education Certifications:
Certified Special Education Teacher