April 2022

Miss Rath is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in teaching the 4th grade students math at Seneca Intermediate. She possesses great communication skills, is able to pay attention to details, is patient, and also understanding. She creates lesson plans to instruct our little learners in general and specialized subjects within mathematics as well as documents students' progress. When asked about her favorite part of her job Miss Rath says, “I love making relationships with my students and having them come tell me years later that I made a difference.” Miss Rath works hard to make math fun, but also to let her students know she truly cares about them making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Rath has been a teacher for 11 years and this is her 5th year at Seneca Intermediate. She is from Cheektowaga, NY and graduated from Maryvale High School (class of ’07) home of the Pegasus but they were called the Maryvale Flyers. She and went on to Niagara University to get her Bachelor’s degree (class of ’11) in Elementary Education with a concentration in Liberal Arts, then went to Medaille College to complete her Master’s degree in Literacy with a dual certification in B-6th and 5th-12th Literacy (class of ’13). She spends a lot of time with her mom, Sue, her step-dad, Brad, her brother, Tyler, and her step-sister who shares her first name Chelsea. She has two additional furry members of her family, Bear, her 9-year-old Lab/Boxer/Pitbull and Bear’s sweet younger sister Poyer, a 4-yea-old Beagle/Sheppard/Lab.    

We asked Miss Rath a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I really enjoyed math, until I had to take Pre-Calc.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Science!

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to own my own restaurant.

What’s your hype song? 

Closer by Chainsmokers

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease!

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love to cook and can make a song out of anything.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Make me proud, make your parents proud, but above all- Make yourself proud.

What is your favorite candy bar?

I love gummy candy- gummy worms, gummy bears, gummy sharks

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I played soccer for 16 years.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pretzels!

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch  all the way!   

Baseball or football    Go Bills!

Cake or ice cream Neither, give me Rice Krispy's                    

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                   

March 2022

Mrs. Ridenour is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students of Salamanca school district. She facilitates opportunities for use of meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. In schools, occupational therapy practitioners focus on academics, play and leisure, social participation, self-care skills (Activities of Daily Living), and transition/ work skills. Occupational therapists evaluate activity and the environment to offer ways to modify experiences with a goal of reducing the barriers to participation. When asked about her favorite part of her job Mrs. Ridenour says, “I love working with students and seeing the students make gains in independence.” Not only does she support our students through her work as an occupational therapist, but she works to bring Unified Basketball to our intermediate school, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Ridenour has been an OTA for 6 years at Salamanca School District. She is from Portville but moved to Hopewell Junction to graduate from John J. High School (class of ’88). She and went on to JCC Jamestown to get her degree in Occupational Therapy (class of ’04). She lives with her husband Matt and recently helped her son, Trevor, to transition to his first new home of his own.  Mrs. Ridenour has a co-worker, Presley the therapy dog, who is also a roommate. In addition to Presley, Bobbie, a setter mix, and Schim, her 14-year-old cat live with her and her husband.  

We asked Mrs. Ridenour a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Math.

What was your worst subject in school? 

My worst subject was English.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a teacher.

What’s your hype song? 

Put It On Me by Ja Rule

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I like gardening and sewing.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Life is going to be hard, but persevere through it. Ask for help.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Whatchamacallits

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I like going to heavy metal concerts.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Turkey subs

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                   

February 2022

Miss Ralph is our Difference Maker of the week for the role she plays as a reading interventionist at Seneca Intermediate. She is professionally trained to help struggling readers by performing assessments and analyzing the data from those assessments. She plans, teaches, and evaluates instruction for students having difficulty with reading or writing. Miss Ralph works with students in small groups outside the larger classroom setting. Her favorite part of her job is being able to build student confidence in not only reading but day to day life. She also likes that she is able to form close connections with students because she works with them in small groups. Miss Ralph was nominated by a peer for her dedication to her job and how supportive she is of others making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Ralph has been a reading intervention teacher for the district for almost a year. She was hired halfway through last school year. She is an Orchard Park High graduate (class of ’07 and home of the Quakers), and had a serendipitous path to becoming a Salamanca employee. She began her education at Swansea in Wales in the United Kingdom. She then transferred to ECC, Niagara University, and Buffalo State before graduating with her degree in Elementary Education (’14). After receiving her undergraduate degree, she completed her masters in literacy at Buffalo State (’18). Miss Ralph’s love of learning never stops. She is currently attending Unity College in Maine for a degree in Marine Biology and Aqua Culture Sustainability. She lives with her best pup Sipsey who is a German Shepard/lab mix.

We asked Miss Ralph a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I always liked science and social studies.   

What was your worst subject in school? 

History, I failed Pre-Calculus.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a dolphin and whale trainer.  

What’s your hype song? 

High Hopes by Panic at the Disco

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Life ain’t always beautiful, but it’s a beautiful ride.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I like stargazing, softball, and playing instruments. I play softball every summer and I play the clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone in a summer symphonic band.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Learn to love yourself and appreciate all your gifts and talents. Believe in yourself.  

What is your favorite candy bar?

Milky Ways

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I was a military police officer in the Army National Guard and I got my varsity letter from the rifle team.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hawaiian Pizza

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

January 2022

Mrs. Hodara is our first student nomination and our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students at Salamanca. Her former students say she makes learning fun, she holds students accountable for following the rules, and she is fair to all students. Mrs. Hodara works as a classroom teacher to develop curriculum, plan lessons, and teach various subjects using a variety of teaching methods. She volunteers to be a part of committees, chaperones school events, and supports students extracurricular sports and clubs, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Hodara has been working for the district for 13 years in several capacities. She was first a Teaching Assistant at Prospect for 2 years, then a 4th grade teacher for 3 years and the remaining 8 years she has been a 5th grade teacher. Her hometown is Salamanca, but she is a Little Valley High graduate (class of ’99). She went on to SUNY Cortland to get her undergraduate degree in Political Science (’03) and her masters in Education at Grand Canyon University (’11). She lives with her husband of 18 years, Tony, and her two daughters Grace and Sophia, who are Sally High students. She has two yellow labs that make her family complete, Stella Von Barkington and Maggie May Doodles.

We asked Mrs. Hodara a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? History, hands down.

What was your worst subject in school?  Math, it still is.

What was your childhood dream job?  I wanted to be a princess at Disney World.

What’s your hype song?  I have two, Juice by Lizzo and My Shot from the Hamilton soundtrack

What’s your favorite quote or saying?  Life is full of peaks and valleys. Don’t chirp when you’re on a peak and don’t get too down on yourself when you’re in a valley.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies? I enjoy vacation planning.  

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be? Be a good person, even when it’s hard.

What is your favorite candy bar? Three Musketeers Dark

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you? I’m afraid of people on stilts, terrified actually.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Enchiladas

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

January 2022

Miss Whitmore is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in providing special education co-teaching services for the sixth-grade students at Seneca Intermediate. She works together with her general education co-teacher to plan lessons, teach, monitor student progress, and manage the class. It's an approach that makes it easier to teach all students the same content and hold them to the same educational standards. Miss Whitmore’s focus is on scaffolding activities and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students, not just the special education students. Beyond her academic duties, Miss Whitmore is very empathetic towards her students and truly cares about their wellbeing. She is also a great listener and willing to support anyone who needs it with a sympathetic ear. Her favorite part of her job is developing relationships with students and seeing them be successful. “When they have a good day, I have a good day” All of the attention to others social emotional needs makes Miss Whitmore our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Whitmore has been a special education teacher for 3 years at the district. She is a Salamanca High graduate (class of ’15), and went on to Fredonia State to get her undergraduate degree in Inclusive Childhood Education. She is the youngest of three girls and the only one still residing in Salamanca. Her sisters Gabby and Kirsti live in Olean and Rochester, but still make time to get together as a family with their mom, Elise and dad, DJ. Miss Whitmore has a single pet cat which took her some time to name, but after much deliberation she settled on the name Kitty.

We asked Miss Whitmore a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I loved history.   

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math, I was in the more advanced classes, but I always needed help. I think that’s why I wanted to become a teacher. I appreciated the help my teachers gave me to be successful.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a marine biologist.

What’s your hype song? 

Man, I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Just go with the flow.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m an avid movie watcher. I love them all, I don’t have any favorite genre. I also like to work out and be outdoors.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Always give it your best. No one is asking you to be perfect, we’re just looking for effort.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Three Musketeers

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I enjoy listening to rap music and I know most of the artists and songs they’re talking about.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken Fingers

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

Mrs. Kellogg is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in providing speech and language services for the students at Seneca Intermediate. She is responsible for diagnosing and treating communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice. She works with students one on one, in small groups, and comes into classroom settings for whole group instruction. Mrs. Kellogg is a vital part of the special education team and has been the team leader and special education meeting coordinator for a number of years. Her favorite part of her job is coming to see the students each day.  All of the dedication and compassion Mrs. Kellogg puts into her job makes her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Kellogg has been a speech pathologist for 24 years at the district. She is an Allegany Central High graduate (class of ’93), and went on to Fredonia State to get her undergraduate degree in the field of Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped. She then continued at Fredonia State to get her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology. She lives with her husband, Scott and their five children. Her two oldest boys are currently in college. Gabriel is going to Alfred University for Renewable Energy Engineering and Ryan is attending Finger Lakes Community College for Business. Still at home and attending Allegany-Limestone Schools are Mathew, Caitlyn, and Allisyn. Also at home is her black lab, Ruger and her son’s new German Shorthair Pointer Hound Oakley.

We asked Mrs. Kellogg a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

My favorite was science, I loved science.   

What was your worst subject in school? 

Social studies, more specifically government.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a teacher because both of my parents were teachers at Salamanca.  

What’s your hype song? 

Thunderstruck by AC/DC

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I enjoy hunting, fishing, swimming, and softball. I used to hunt and fish much more than I do now and I also used to be a water safety instructor. In school I played first base for our softball team and swam competitively.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

There’s always something to be thankful for.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Take 5 bars

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

For several years my husband and I shot together in a competitive archery league.  We came in first place for a couple of years.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Jambalaya or shrimp boil

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

November 2021

Miss Grey is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students at Salamanca. She listens to students' concerns about academic, emotional, or social problems and helps them to work through their problems, plan goals, and take action. Miss Grey is also highly skilled at mediating conflict between students, improving their relationships with peers, teachers, and family members. She strives to support her students’ educational and personal goals through counseling and targeted classroom lessons, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Grey has been a counselor for 15 years and this is her second time working for the district. She was a counselor for the district from 1999-2004 before leaving the area and returning to Salamanca City School District last year.  She is a Sally High graduate (class of ’90), and went on to St. Bonaventure University to get her undergraduate degree Psychology. She continued her education at St. Bonaventure University to get her Masters degree in Counselor Education and School Counseling. She lives with her two fur babies, Dealie her dog, and Minnie, her Cat.

We asked Miss Grey a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I really liked Spanish.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to work with dolphins and whales when I got older.

What’s your hype song? 

Dance Monkey by Tones and I

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

It is what it is.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I was training to be a professional boxer when I lived in Las Vegas. One of my hobbies is to go on ghost hunts, I really enjoy them.  

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Be yourself and respect yourself.

What is your favorite candy bar?

During the holidays I like the Reese’s pumpkins, trees, and hearts, but yearround I enjoy Whatchamacallits.

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I tested with the FBI. I was testing to become a special agent and made it through phase 1.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is hard. I’m torn between buffalo wing dip and tacos, but I think I’ll have to choose tacos.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

October 2021

Miss Presley is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students at Salamanca. She works to improve our students' lives across a number of areas, including helping with academic achievement and performance, promoting a positive attitude, and relieving stress and anxiety. Miss Presley acts along with her mom and handler, Robin, as valuable resource for our students making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Presley has been a therapy dog for the Salamanca School District since March of 2021. She is a Wag-N-Train with Mary MacQueen graduate (class of ’21 where she received her Alliance of Therapy Dogs certification. She lives with her mom, Robin, her dad, Matt, and her two siblings Trevor and Bobbie.  

We asked Miss Presley a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Directionality training-staying by my mom’s side when I had to follow her around.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Sitting on command and sitting after we stopped walking.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I really wanted to be a firehouse Dalmatian, but I was born an Irish Setter. I love my job though and I look forward to coming to school to see the kids every day.

What’s your hype song? 

Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I like rabbit chasing and making my sister, Bobbie, chase me in circles in the yard. She falls for it every time.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Always be kind.

What is your favorite candy bar?

My doctor says I can’t each chocolate, something about it being bad for dogs. So my mom feeds me cheese sticks.

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

If I don’t get to come to school I get sad and pout all day.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken, definitely chicken!

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   gravy

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream     Pupcups    

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

Just some of the benefits of having therapy dogs in the classroom include:

Physical benefits. Interaction with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce blood pressure, provide physical stimulation and assist with pain management.

Social benefits. A visiting therapy dog promotes greater self-esteem and focused interaction with other students and teachers.

Cognitive benefits. It has been empirically proven that therapy dogs stimulate memory and problem-solving skills.

Emotional and mental health benefits. A recent national survey of adolescent mental health found that about 8 to 10 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 have an anxiety disorder. A therapy dog can lift moods in the classroom, often provoking laughter. The therapy dog is also there to offer friendship and a shoulder to lean on for students.

October 2021

Mr. Bucholz is our Difference Maker of the week for his role in teaching the students and supporting their needs at Seneca Intermediate School. He encourages his students to take risks in their learning, challenges them with critical thinking projects, and offers time to reflect on the impact of other positive role models in society, so our students can grow to be better human beings themselves. Mr. Bucholz helps our students to understand how one positive person can make an impact in many others’ lives making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mr. Bucholz has been a teacher for the Salamanca School District for 5 years. He is a Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute graduate (class of ’06) where he was a member of the Chess Club. Mr. Bucholz received his BA in Exceptional Education from Buffalo State, and completed his MA Ed. in Special Education from the Buffalo State as well. He is very close to his mother, Eileen and his siblings, David and Christine. He also enjoys spending his free time sharing his adventures with his nephew, Michael and his nieces, Natalie and Nina.

We asked Mr. Bucholz a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Definitely Social Studies. I like learning about the past and reading maps.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Well, my least favorite was science. I always did well, I just never cared for it. My worst subject was ELA.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a Meteorologist, then I saw all the complex numbers and equations. It went downhill from there. 

What’s your hype song? 

Beat It by Michael Jackson

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love to tour lighthouses and take pictures of covered bridges. I’m also an expert doodler and make some pretty intricate designs.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Always try your best!

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups  

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

When I was in Catholic school a statue of Mary fell and broke on top of my head.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza, there’s no second thought. The best pizza is Mister Pizza on Elmwood strip, you have to try it.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

September 2021

Mrs. Crawford is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students and staff at Salamanca. She works to improve our students' lives across a number of areas, including helping with academic achievement and performance, boosting social skills and functioning, working to resolve behavioral issues, and supporting their emotional health. Mrs. Crawford acts along with school counselors as advocates for students’ well-being, and as valuable resources for their educational and personal advancement making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Crawford has been a school psychologist for the Salamanca School District for 5 years. She is a Olean High School graduate (class of ’02), went to JCC Olean campus for two years before transferring to St. Bonaventure University to get her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She then went to Alfred University to get her Masters degree in School Psychology. She lives with her husband John and her two young children, Lyla and Jack. The family shares their home with three beautiful cats, Stormy, Captain, and Gus.

We asked Mrs. Crawford a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

English, I always liked to read and didn’t mind writing.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math, I did not like math.

What was your childhood dream job?

 Originally, I wanted to be a teacher.  

What’s your hype song? 

I had to think about it, but We Will Rock You by Queen.

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston Churchill

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m a group exercise instructor at the YMCA in Olean. I teach fitness mix which is a blend of cardio and strength.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Listen to your parents and take their advice. Stand up for what you know is right.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Kit-Kat

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I was homecoming queen my senior year of high school.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Salad, I really want to say cake, but I should go with salad.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   (unless it’s chicken wings)

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                  

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

May 2022

Miss Disarno is our Difference Maker of the week for her role as a long-term substitute at Seneca Intermediate. She has helped support the teachers at Seneca Intermediate by stepping into the classroom and taking over various teaching positions, some for a few days, and others for weeks at a time. Some duties she has been responsible for include lesson planning, communication with parents, handling disciplinary issues, assessing students, grading assignments, and reporting those grades. When asked about her favorite part of her job Miss Disarno says, “I hope to make a difference in the kids’ lives.” Miss Disarno works hard at every position she is placed in giving her all to the students making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Disarno has been a long-term substitute for 3 years at Salamanca School District. She is from Grand Island, NY and graduated from Grand Island High School home of the Vikings (class of ‘98). She went on to Medaille College to get her degree in Veterinary Technology. Her family is made up of her parents, Joe & Bonnie, her brother, Mike, and her sister, Jamie. She also has three special nieces, Brooke, Rowan, and Ava that she absolutely adores. She shares her home with several animals and enjoys spending her free time with them. She has four Dobermann Pinschers, Cheyanne, Ferrini, Rio, and Scarlet, a Jack Russell Terrier, Sway, and a heeler mix, Doozer. Miss Disarno also has five horses Jax, Dash, Ziva, Penelope, and Cheeks. She also has a special cat named Mugwort.   

We asked Miss Disarno a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

My favorite was Earth Science and Biology.

What was your worst subject in school? 

My worst subject was History.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a veterinarian or a teacher.

What’s your hype song? 

Fight Like a Girl by Kalie Shorr

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Wild at heart.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I really enjoy riding horses.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Be strong, be brave, be tough.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s PB Cups

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I worked on ranches in Wyoming and Texas.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Lasagna with meatballs

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                         

April 2022

Mrs. Matteson is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in teaching the 5th grade students of Seneca Intermediate. She creates a classroom environment that develops in each student the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing that are fundamental to literate citizenship. She also supports the development and appreciation of good literature of all types. When asked about her favorite part of her job Mrs. Matteson says, “I love the kids and my collegues.” Mrs. Matteson works hard to make learning interesting and fun for all making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Matteson has been a teacher for over 20 years and this is her 4th year at Salamanca School District. She is from Hornell, NY and graduated from Hornell High School (class of…it’s a secret). She and went on to SUNY Geneseo to get her degree in Elementary Education, then went to Alfred University to complete her Master’s degree in Reading. She lives with her husband John and her son Johnny, who is a junior at Sally High. They share their home with their Guinea pig, Sandor and finch, Zesh. Mrs. Matteson’s daughter Jessie is graduating from RIT this year and persuing her PhD in Microbiology.  

We asked Mrs. Matteson a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

My favorite was English.

What was your worst subject in school? 

My worst subject was Geometry.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be an astronaut.

What’s your hype song? 

Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m an excellent gardener.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

You really can achomplish your dreams! Don’t give up!!

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s PB Cups

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I was on MTV when I was younger.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Lasagna

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop Can I pick POP instead?

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter       

April 2022

Miss Fields is our Difference Maker of the week for her dual role as a bus and cafeteria monitor at Salamanca City School District. In her role as a bus monitor, Patti greets passengers, helps them to find assigned seats, assists students with special needs, ensures everyone is seated, and assisting bus drivers with various tasks. In the lunch room, she ensures all students have access to a nutritious meal, circulates through the cafeteria to ensure appropriate student behavior, and helps to maintain a clean and safe lunchroom. When asked about her favorite part of her job Miss Fields says, “I love pretty much anything that has to do with being around the kids.” Miss Fields goes above and beyond her job expectations to make students feel like they are seen and they matter making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Fields has been a monitor for 9 years at Salamanca City School District. Prior to being a monitor, she worked as a food service manager then a chef for 40 years. She is from the Bronx, NY and graduated from St. Joseph’s Cathedral High School. Miss Fields went on to ICE (Institute for Culinary Education) in Manhattan to get her Culinary Degree. In her prior job as a chef at a private school she won the Joey Award for Early Education at Westchester for her dedication and compassion towards children. She is one of several children and enjoys her time with John, Dorothy, Nora, Helen, Jimmy, Eddy, and Kathy. She has her furry members of her family, Nicky, her 1 1/2-year-old beagle and her precious schnauzer Bella, who crossed the rainbow bridge at the age of 10 years old.    

We asked Miss Fields a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I really enjoyed Geography.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Spelling

What was your childhood dream job?

 I always wanted to be an airline stewardess.

What’s your hype song? 

Janis Joplin Mercedes Benz

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. ~JFK

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

Cooking-anything with beef or sauces.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Be kind to one another.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Chocolate truffles

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

That I’m a chef.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Lobster

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football   

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                   

March 2022

Mrs. Phillips-Moore is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in teaching the 5th grade students of Seneca Intermediate. She delivers lessons that develop students' theoretical and applied mathematical skills. She also is responsible for assigning homework, grading assignments and quizzes, and documenting students' progress. When asked about her favorite part of her job Mrs. Phillips-Moore says, “I love the relationships I build with the kids and seeing students grow. I also like when students see growth in themselves and know they can do it.” Mrs. Phillips-Moore works hard to make her lessons engaging for all learners making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Phillips-Moore has been a teacher for 9 years and this is her 4th year at Salamanca School District. She is from Leon, NY and graduated from Pine Valley High School (class of ’88). She and went on to JCC to get her degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in Art, then went to Fredonia University to complete her 4-year degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in math. Mrs. Phillips-Moore completed her Master’s degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education and Math at Fredonia University (class of ’19). She lives with her husband Bruce and their furry family member, Roxie, who is a 10-year-old Jack Russell/Border Collie. Her daughter Alyshia teaches high school math in Rochester and has a 3-year-old son, Harrison. Lorin, Mrs. Phillips-Moore’s second daughter is just heading back to work after having her 6-month-old son Cauis.   

We asked Mrs. Phillips-Moore a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

My favorite was Math.

What was your worst subject in school? 

My worst subject was Reading.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a teacher.

What’s your hype song? 

Confident by Demi Lovato

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Be the change you wish to see in the world. -Nelson Mandela

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love to crochet and rainbow loom. I’ve made pencil toppers that look like dragons, minions, and other fun things.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

You CAN do this! I believe you can and you should believe you can!!

What is your favorite candy bar?

Dove chocolate and Lindt chocolate

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

In the 3rd grade I had a hip operation. I had to have a tutor that came to my grandparents’ house.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                   

March 2022

Mrs. Shriver is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the sixth-grade students at Salamanca. She creates lesson plans to instruct her students in general subjects within mathematics and specialized skills. Mrs. Shriver prepares math assignments, homework, and tests to impart knowledge and understanding to her students. She also assesses students' progress and abilities throughout the school year. When asked about her favorite part of her job she says, “I love hearing students’ quirky jokes or their stories about their families. The everyday non-academic conversations we have in class are my favorite.” Not only does she support our students, but she is supportive of her coworkers and the goals of her grade level team, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Shriver has been a teacher for 6 years and this is her 4th year at Salamanca School District. She is a Springville Griffith Institute graduate (class of ’08), and went on to Buffalo State to get her undergraduate degree Childhood Education. She continued her education at Walden University to get her Master’s degree in Curriculum Assessment and Instruction. She lives with her husband Tim and her son Jameson, who is in pre-k and her daughter Evelyn who is about to turn two. Mrs. Shriver’s home wouldn’t be complete without her furry friends. She has two pups, Rex and Beau, and two cats, Tigger and Adeline.

We asked Mrs. Shriver a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Math.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Social studies I failed it twice in 11th grade.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a model, then later I decided I wanted to be a teacher.

What’s your hype song? 

Cupids Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Everything happens for a reason.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I like baking and competitive swimming.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Never give up and keep trying. Mistakes mean progress.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Three Musketeers

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I have five tattoos.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cookies

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter                   

January 2022

School Resource Officer Smith is our Difference Maker of the week for his role of law enforcement, informal mentoring and counseling, and in-person teaching at Seneca Intermediate. He works to keep our school safe for students, staff and families.  SRO Smith provides support to students when they are in crisis and mentors students who are faced with difficult decisions. He also helps to teach our students basic bike and pedestrian safety, responsible decision making, and how to be good citizens. SRO Smith says, “my favorite part of the job is being able to connect with kids in school and within the community. I like to walk my dog down the street and see the kids, talk to them, outside of school.” He is always willing to step in to support staff and students making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

SRO Smith has been an SRO for the Salamanca School District for 2 years and is a Salamanca High School graduate (class of ’12). After high school he attended SUNY Brockport to receive his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Forensic Science. Upon graduation he began a Master’s program in School Counseling while he was working as a law enforcement officer in Rochester, NY. At this time, the opportunity arose for him to come to work under the sheriff’s department as an SRO with his Warrior family. He enjoys spending time with his family, who have a long history of service in the city of Salamanca. His father was the former mayor of Salamanca, his mother works for the casino, and both his sisters are in the education field.  SRO Smith has another important member of his family who accompanies him on walks through town, his coonhound Chevy, who he shares his home with.

We asked SRO Smith a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

History or English, I always wanted to learn everything and I really liked to write stories.  

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math, it was the only withdrawal I had on my college transcripts.  

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a radio disc jockey like my dad.   

What’s your hype song? 

Werewolf by ETID

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

You are ready, you are worthy and remember, they can knock you down, but they can never knock you out.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love listening to records and collecting records. I got a new turntable and speakers for Christmas.   

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Don’t quit, don’t settle, and failure isn’t final.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Kit Kats

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

When I was 8 years old I DJ’ed a one hour call in request show on the radio all by myself. I also used to dress up in full cowboy gear to introduce all the big name country singers at the local county fairs.   

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anything Buffalo Chicken….pizza, perogies, anything.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

December 2021

Miss Mangus is our Difference Maker of the week for the role she plays as a 4th grade teacher at Seneca Intermediate. She is professionally trained to teach several subjects including math, reading, vocabulary, language, science, social studies, and arts. She also teaches her students how to be good citizens and inspires their love for learning. However, Miss Mangus goes above and beyond her professional duties to make each one of her students feel loved and cared for. Each day she impacts her students lives by recognizing when they need a little extra support, a listening ear, or simply some grace and compassion. Her favorite part of her job is teaching students to really love learning and how to be a good human. All of her understanding and empathy for students makes Miss Mangus our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Magus has been a 4th grade teacher for 4 years at the district. She is a North Tonawanda High graduate (class of ’12 and home of the Lumberjacks), and went on to SUNY Oneonta to get her undergraduate degree in the field of Elementary Education. She then continued at Niagara University to get her Master’s degree in Special Education. She lives with her boyfriend Hunter who works from home in the technology sales field. Miss Mangus and Hunter are hoping to close on their first house this week, then discuss their options for pets.

We asked Miss Mangus a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I always liked math class.   

What was your worst subject in school? 

History, I never was interested in it.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in 1st grade. I also want to write greeting cards. I think I would be good at it.

What’s your hype song? 

You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Be a problem solver. I say this to my students all the time.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I enjoy baking, crafting and gardening.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to take risks and always try your best.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s holiday cups

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I played volleyball in high school. I was terrible because I was so short, but I was really good for team moral.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Mac-n-Cheese

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

November 2021

Mrs. Urbanski is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students at Salamanca. She plans lessons that take into account students’ unique abilities and teaches through a variety of methods that include oral presentation, class discussion, guided research. Mrs. Urbanski works hard to develop her classroom standards and holds all of her students accountable, setting forth high expectations for student success.  She strives to support her students’ educational and personal goals, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Urbanski has been a teacher for 17 years, but this is her first year at Salamanca School District. She is a Portville High School graduate (class of ’00), and went on to Buffalo State to get her undergraduate degree Elementary Education and Math grades seven through nine. She continued her education at Buffalo State to get her Masters degree in Special Education. She lives with her husband Jason and her son Cole, who is in 10th grade at Sally High. Mrs. Urbanski has a special furry friend, Kelcie the dog, who makes their family complete.

We asked Mrs. Urbanski a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Math, it’s definitely math.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Social Studies. I didn’t have a teacher who made it come alive for me.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a math or art teacher. Now I get to live my dream, I love teaching.  

What’s your hype song? 

Let It Rain (Is There Anybody) by Crowder and Mandisa

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Everyday is a new day to be better than yesterday. -Mrs. Urbanski

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I really like to do puzzles. I was working on a 2,000 piece one over the summer.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Always believe in yourself and never give up!

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a town council woman and I love it!

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is hard. Pizza, but I could also eat cereal for the rest of my life.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

Mrs. Witman is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in providing art and technology education for the students at Seneca Intermediate. She is responsible for developing in each student an interest in and the ability for creative expression in visual terms. She is also responsible for assisting to develop skills and techniques of artistic expression in various types of media like paint, clay, pencil and digital programs. Mrs. Whitman gets to have fun with her students every day and loves showing them there is more than one path to take to get to your destination. She truly enjoys her job and working with students, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Witman has been an art teacher for 20 years and this is her 5th year working for the district. She is an Eden High graduate (class of ’85), and went on to Buffalo State to get her undergraduate degree in Textile Design and Ceramics. She then became a clothing designer in Miami before returning to the area to get her first Master’s degree from Niagara University in Elementary Education. She continued her education at Canisius College for her second Master’s degree in Educational Technology. She lives with her husband, Kevin, who is an elementary gym teacher and girls’ varsity soccer coach at Eden school district, and her 14 year old son Matthew, who is a year-round athlete and still manages to hold down a job. Her adult daughter, Carolyna, has gone on to become a user experience designer and now lives in Washington D.C. Her family is complete with her two rescue pups, Piper and Kya.

We asked Mrs. Witman a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

In 4th grade I loved social studies because my teacher has so many hands on projects. In high school I really liked ELA. I opted to take FFA (Future Farmers of America) with my best friend instead of pursuing my passion of painting and drawing. I still regret this.   

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math, I still don’t like math to this day.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a veterinarian.

What’s your hype song? 

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor or The Final Countdown by Europe

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Communication is the key.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I am an artisan soap maker, silk painter, and gourmet cook. I also like canning and bird watching. I’m just really interested in life and want to learn as much as I can. There’s so many things to learn and just not enough time.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Believe in yourself and be gentle with yourself. Choose kindness.

What is your favorite candy bar?

It used to be Heath bars, but then I discovered Take 5 bars.

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

You may be surprised to know I am a 3 year survivor of the world's deadliest cancer: pancreatic cancer (only a 9% survival rate)....My surgeon refers to me as the Poster Child for Pancreatic Cancer survival.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Eggplant parmesan

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

November 2021

Miss Skiba is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in providing music education and conducting chorus for the students at Salamanca. She shares music and her music knowledge with our students when providing instruction on pitch, tempo, and rhythm as well as other concepts that are fundamental to singing and playing music.   Miss Skiba is also kind and supportive of her peers, students, and our students’ family members. She is always contemplating ways to make other people’s lives easier and fun, making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Miss Skiba has been a music teacher for 5 years and her 6th year working for the district. She is a Sally High graduate (class of ’11), and went on to SUNY Fredonia to get her undergraduate degree Music Education with a concentration in percussion. She is currently continuing her education at SUNY Fredonia to get her Masters degree in Music Education. She is very close to her family, David, her dad, Carmen, her mom, and Brittany, her wise older sister. And that was just her two-legged family! Her four-legged family consists of her two pups, Rousey and Ghost (The Ghostest with the Mostest), her two cats, Susan and Tonks, and last but not least, her two guinea pigs, Boomie and Bacon.

We asked Miss Skiba a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I always liked history. My family has a historic past and I could trace back my family. Plus, with teachers like Mr. Musial and Mr. Nannen who couldn’t like history. My passion for music started in 10th grade.

What was your worst subject in school? 

Keyboarding! I tried so hard, but I almost failed it. I love Miss Middaugh, who I got the Warrior cheer from.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be an architect or a lawyer. I may get a second degree to be a child advocate.  

What’s your hype song? 

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Be the change you want to see in the world. -Gandhi

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

You should ask Brittany. (I go ask Brittany) Brittany says: “She’s really good at juggling and making balloon animals. Oh, and she knows everything about Harry Potter.” 

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Don’t limit yourself. Only you can decide who you are. Don’t let others influence it.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups  

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I haven’t always been successful. Just because I’m an adult doesn’t mean I was successful. I’ve had my struggles. It’s ok to struggle, it’s how you come back from it.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza, you can do so much with pizza.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

October 2021

Mr. Valvo is our Difference Maker of the week for his role in teaching the students and supporting their needs at Seneca Intermediate School. He is always available to help where needed and supervises students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead class. He skillfully manages classroom behavior, quickly interprets lesson plans and creates reports to inform the students' permanent teacher of their success. Mr. Valvo uses his many years of experience as a special education teacher to support the students and step in when their regular teacher is out making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mr. Valvo has been a substitute teacher for the Salamanca School District for 2 years. He is a Fredonia High School graduate (class of ’77). Mr. Vavlo received his BA in Elementary Education from Fredonia State, and completed his MA Ed. in Special Education from the Buffalo State. He lives with his wife, Diane, who he insists is his better half and a great mother. He has three adult children, Michael, Mary and Matthew as well as a very special grandson Paul who is five. Mr. Valvo and his wife have three additional family members who live with them, Mitzy and Teddy, their cats, and their dog, Benji.

We asked Mr. Valvo a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I always loved art.

What was your worst subject in school? 

The worst for me was English.

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a police officer, but my mother, who was a teacher, talked me into being a teacher instead.

What’s your hype song? 

Techno Syndrome by The Immortals

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail. -Chuck Norris

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m a closet ventriloquist, but I only perform for my family. I also love to play board games.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Stay calm.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups  

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I’m an 8th degree black belt. It took me 30 years to achieve this.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pasta of any kind.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

October 2021

Mr. Rettberg is our Difference Maker of the week for his role in supporting the students and staff at Salamanca. He works to keep our school clean and safe for students, staff and families.  Mr. Rettberg ensures the common areas, offices, and classrooms are clean and sanitized for all. He also maintains the cleaning equipment and ensure everything needed for cleaning the school is stocked and ready. He is always willing to go the extra mile to help others with special projects throughout the school making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mr. Rettberg has been a member of the custodial team for the Salamanca School District for 15 years. He is a Salamanca High School graduate (class of ’80). He worked previously as a machine operator before making the choice to come to work with his Warrior family. He lives with his wife Lisa and has three adult children, Ashley, Valerie, and Domenik. Mr. Rettberg has two additional furry family members, Cooper and Fitzgerald, who he also shares his home with.

We asked Mr. Rettberg a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Gym, it was always my favorite.  

What was your worst subject in school? 

Science

What was your childhood dream job?

 I always wanted to be a cowboy and move to Arizona. I grew up next to a farm and would go visit the horses on the farm every day.   

What’s your hype song? 

Definitely Thunderstruck by AC/DC.

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

My favorite thing to say is ‘Hi Bud!’ I don’t know everyone’s names, but I like to say hi to the adults and kids in the hallways.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I really like gardening.  

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Be respectful. Being respectful will get you places.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I used to play a lot of hockey and was the goal tender for my team. I won several MVP trophies.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’d say tacos. Ground beef tacos, definitely not fish tacos.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch   

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

September 2021

Mrs. Schnaufer is our Difference Maker of the week for her role in supporting the students and staff at Salamanca. She works tirelessly to ensure our Warrior family has the most up to date programs and apps to facilitate learning. Mrs. Schnaufer’s role is to support classroom technology integration to maximize student learning and improve teacher efficiency. She ensures that district technology investments are maximized by coaching educators on effective strategies for using technology to enhance their curriculum. She is always ready to meet with educators or teach the students how to use technology safely making her our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mrs. Schnaufer has been a technology coach for the Salamanca School District for 4 years. She is a Lakeshore High School graduate (class of ’82), received her BA in Media and Communication from Fredonia University, her education certification from Buffalo State, and her Masters in Adult & Distance Learning from the University of Phoenix. She moved to Salamanca two weeks ago from Eden with her husband Tim and her two youngest children. She has five wonderful children, two sweet little granddaughters and is expecting another grandbaby in October. Although Mrs. Schnaufer has three adult children out of the house, she keeps her home full with her love of animals. Her family pets, a golden retriever, Bentley, her two cats, Haley and Bear, and her five goldfish keep her busy until she can see her grandbabies again.

We asked Mrs. Schnaufer a few things about herself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Math, I always liked Math and Science

What was your worst subject in school? 

Gym, we had to wear uniforms…even for swimming (there was no hesitation with this answer)

What was your childhood dream job?

 I wanted to be a German interpreter, but my family couldn’t afford to send me overseas for immersion.  

What’s your hype song? 

Anything 80’s! I love 80’s music! My boys laugh when I sing Queen or Stairway to Heaven in the car.

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

In God we trust.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m a singer. I used to do musicals and took voice lessons. I sang in the choir in church too. I also love biking, kayaking, and working on the computer.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

Try new things and don’t be afraid to fail.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Almond Joy because sometimes you feel like a nut!

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I once was a beauty queen. I won the 1982 Grape Festival pageant in Silver Creek my senior year.  

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza! I could eat pizza day and night.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

September 2021

Mr. Marsh is our Difference Maker of the week for his role in supporting the students and staff at Salamanca. He is truly an unsung hero in our district. He’s always on the go, helping kids in all three schools to physically access the school environment. He provides alternative seating options, helps students build muscle tone and coordination, and maximize their success in navigating the school on their own. Mr. Marsh helps children gain their independence and build important life skills making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mr. Marsh has been a Physical Therapist for the Salamanca School District for 23 years. He is a Salamanca High School graduate (class of ’91), received his BA in Government from Hamilton College, and completed his BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo. He lives with his absolutely amazing wife Nicole and his two wonderful children Lucas and Courtney. Their dog, Bella, is the princess of household along with their cat, Aria.

We asked Mr. Marsh a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

Math and Science

What was your worst subject in school? 

Definitely English

What was your childhood dream job?

 A professional athlete. It was all I thought about as a kid.

What’s your hype song? 

Thunderstruck by AC/DC

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you handle it.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love to BBQ and grill food.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

There’s no substitute for hard work. You can get through anything with hard work.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Snickers

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I really love to sing, but I would never sing in front of a crowd. If I could be anything, I would be a singer.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Any kind of cheeseburger, I don’t discriminate.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter

September 2021

Mr. Ross is our Difference Maker of the week for his role in supporting the students and staff at Salamanca. He demonstrates the virtue of compassion each day when he is working with students or talking with his coworkers. Mr. Ross is understanding and caring, with a strong desire to ease the stress of others. Compassion flows freely from his heart when he seeks to understand, and he never places judgment. He lets others know they are not alone when they have difficult times making him our Difference Maker of the Week.

Mr. Ross has been a counselor for the Seneca Nation working in the Salamanca School District for 4 years and in the Salamanca community for 15 years. He is a Salamanca High School graduate (class of ’98), received his BA in Psychology from Alfred University. He lives with his wife Melanie and his two children Jackson and Charli who are also compassionate members of our Warrior Nation. Mr. Ross’ family spreads kindness and compassion throughout the entire district with Mrs. Ross as a 3rd grade teacher at Prospect Elementary and both his children being students at Sally High. Rounding out their crew at home are their dog, Roscoe, and cat, Lucy.

We asked Mr. Ross a few things about himself:

What was your favorite subject in school? 

History

What was your worst subject in school? 

Math

What was your childhood dream job?

 It was definitely a professional athlete. I’m a lot like Mr. Marsh that way. I just love all sports.

What’s your hype song? 

I’d say anything Rage Against the Machine

What’s your favorite quote or saying? 

I have two: ‘Every mistake you make is progress’ and ‘know before you go’.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m a pretty good cook. I once won a 1st place medal at a chili cookoff.

If there is one piece of advice you could give students, what would it be?

We all make mistakes. Learn from them and try to do better next time.

What is your favorite candy bar?

Snickers

What is one thing students would be surprised to know about you?

I won teacher of the year at SAIL (Seneca Arts and Learning Center) and I got a special parking spot for an entire year.

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Any kind of fruit, I like them all.

This or That: 

bleu cheese or ranch 

Baseball or football 

Cake or ice cream                 

Country or Rap/Hip-Hop 

Camping or the beach 

Summer or Winter