Mark Tugaw has joined the faculty at Cazenovia Middle School where he is teaching seventh grade social studies. Mr. Tugaw is a graduate of Onondaga Community College where he received an associates degree in Criminal Justice. He also has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Plattsburgh State, and MST in secondary social studies from LeMoyne College. As a high school student at Liverpool High School Mr. Tugaw was a member of the varsity wrestling team, crew team, and high school chorus.

Mr. Tugaw, who previously worked as an asset management administrator for Carrier/Computer Sciences Corp., did his student teaching at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and the Lincoln Middle School in Syracuse. He has also volunteered as a community mentor at North Syracuse Junior High School.

Mr. Tugaw said his love for children and a desire to help each child reach their potential were factors in his decision to pursue a teaching career. "I am excited about working in a district small enough to allow you to really get to know the students, their families, and the community," Mr. Tugaw said. "This is an exciting time with the technology now available in the classroom. The challenge lies in fitting that technology into lesson planning."

In his spare time Mr. Tugaw enjoys fishing on Oneida Lake, or in the Limestone Creek or Saranac Lake.

Michael Thurlow has joined the technology department at Cazenovia high School. Mr. Thurlow received his bachelor of science degree in technology from Oswego State University. As a student at Oswego he received the Hastings Award for Excellence in Student Teaching which he completed at Cazenovia High School. A graduate of Fulton high School, Mr. Thurlow played baseball and ice hockey and was a member of the school newspaper staff.

Mr. Thurlow said his own experience with teachers inspired him to pursue a career in education. "I felt like I should give something back," he said. "Teachers in the past took time to educate me and now is the time for me to return the favor. There is a challenge with teaching in the 21st century in that the technology is always changing and teachers need to keep up with that change."

Susan Lavrich has joined the faculty in the special education department. She has a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Cincinnati where she graduated Suma Cum Laude and received the Student Teacher of the Year Award which was sponsored by the council for Exceptional Children. She received her master's degree in educational administration from Central Connecticut State University. She attended Richmond Heights High School in Ohio where she was assistant yearbook editor and captain of the drill team and a member of the National Honor Society.

Prior to coming to Cazenovia she taught first grade in Cleveland, special education (math) at Shaw high School in East Cleveland, and worked as an instructor in the math lab at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington , MA.

Mrs. Lavrich said she took two and a half years of chemical engineering and did an educational program at an oil additive plant before realizing that she wanted teaching to be something more than a hobby.

Mrs. Lavrich and her husband Philip have four children; Bryan, Christopher, Katelyn, and Janet.

Julia Lund joined the staff at the Middle School where she is teaching fifth grade ELA and math. she is a graduate of Oswego State University with a degree in Elementary Education, 7-9 science, and a minor in music. As a student at Oswego she was a member of the varsity soccer team, college orchestra, and a member of the education club. While attending Tully high School Ms. Lund was active in sports and played soccer, track, softball, golf, and basketball.

Ms. Lund completed her student teaching at the Ray Middle School in Baldwinsville and has coached junior high track at Tully High School.

"I am really excited about getting to know my students and I look forward to discovering their personalities and interests," she said. "Teaching, i believe, will always be a challenge. Fun and creative lessons are never easy to develop."

Kristen Lange has joined the faculty of the science department at the high school where she is currently teaching seventh grade science, eighth grade physical science, and tenth grade biology. She has a bachelor's degree from Roanoke college in Salem, Virginia and a master's degree in teaching from Cortland State. As a student at Roanoke she was a member of the college Honors Program and the Peers Educating Peers Program.

As a student at LaFayette high School Ms. Lange was a member of the band, chorus, drama club, french club, and yearbook staff. She has substitute taught at Fabius-Pompey and did her student teaching at Soule Road Middle School in liverpool and Baker High School in Baldwinsville. she has also worked at Crucible Specialty Metals.

"I was attracted to a career in education because i love to work with children," she said. "The field of education is always changing and evolving and that keeps me on my toes. Growing up in LaFayette I am excited to be teaching in another small community."