Eastern Upstate Region
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The Eastern Upstate Region encompasses 23 counties. Our goals are to triple the number of teachers pursuing the new National Board Certification process and to double the number of NBCTs in formal teacher leader roles. We collaborate with NYSUT, NYSED, Teacher Centers, BOCES, and districts to continue to spread the benefits of National Board Certification. We offer many cohort groups facilitated by trained Professional Learning Facilitators. If anyone is still interested, we invite new candidates to contact us.
Geoffrey Bizan is the High Potential and STEM Teacher at Lake George Elementary School, where he serves as Science Curriculum Leader, coordinates diverse enrichment programs for students in grades Pre-K – 6, and coaches the school’s VEX Robotics Team.
With 18 years of teaching experience, Geoff is deeply committed to inspiring curiosity and innovation in students while advancing teacher leadership across New York State. As the Teacher Leadership Coach for Technology Integration at the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center, he has facilitated hundreds of professional learning experiences and presented at numerous statewide conferences, supporting educators in leveraging technology and inquiry-based learning to enhance classroom practice.
Geoff is a National Board Certified Teacher - Middle Childhood Generalist, a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus, and an Apple Distinguished Educator. He also holds advanced certificates as a School Building Leader and School District Leader, reflecting his dedication to empowering teachers and fostering excellence in education.
Co-Regional Coordinators
Geoff Bizan, NBCT & Annette Romano, NBCT
Annette Romano is the Co-Chair of NBNY and Co-Regional Coordinator of Eastern Upstate. She collaborates with Teacher Centers, school districts, higher education, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and the State Education Department to increase awareness provide candidate support, and promote NBC as part of the teacher-leader continuum. She recently retired from the the Niskayuna CSD, where she taught for over 30 years.
Annette continues to be a professional development specialist in the Capital Region. She became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in 2001 and established NBCNY in 2007. She has expertise in National Board Certification, Mentoring, Teacher Leadership, Teacher Evaluation, and Curriculum Development. In 2010, she received the Bertha Brimmer Medal from the University at Albany Alumni Association and in 2013, she receive an Excellence in Education Award from NYSUT. Annette has served as a member of the NYSED PSPB, NBPTS Faculty, Teacher Leader Network, and continues to be involved in Nick's Round to support families affected by pediatric cancer and University at Albany School of Education's Dean's Leadership Council.
In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, hiking, or spending time with family.
Contacts
Regional Coordinators:
Geoff Bizan, NBCT
Annette Romano, NBCT
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Support Near You!
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Name of Cohort NBCT Facilitator Email TC/IHE/BOCES/District
Amanda Zullo zulloamanda@gmail.com
Albany CSD Cohort Jessica Short jshort@albany.k12.ny.us Albany CSD
Catskill Regional NBC Cohort Regina Anderson andersonr.crcs23@gmail.com Catskill Regional TC
Central NY Maria Fenton fentonmaria55@gmail.com OCM BOCES
Trish Barboni tbarboni@solvayschools.org
Clarkson NBC Cohort Becky Remis rremis@clarkson.edu Clarkson University -Schdy
Greater Capital Region TC Geoff Bizan geoff@teachers-center.org Greater Capital Region TC
Liz Daley liz@teachers-center.org
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Niskayuna CSD NBC Cohort Annette Romano aromano@nbcny.org Niskayuna CSD
Schenectady CSD NBC Cohort Michael Sheridan sheridanmi@schenectadyschools.org Schenectady TC
Stillwater CSD NBC Cohort Liz Retell lizretell@scsd.org Stillwater CSD
Syracuse CSD Teacher Center Kathleen Kurgan kkurga51@scsd.us Syracuse TC
Laurie Holtsbery LHoltsbery@scsd.us
Teresa Saurota sauro@yahoo.com
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West Genesee NBC Cohort Kimberly Smith knsmith@westgenesee.org West Genesee/ Syracuse U. Teaching Center
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Check with facilitators to see if they provide graduate credit as part of a collaboration w/ NYSUT's ELT/Empire State College.
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