Far West Region
Describe your image here
Describe your image here
The Far West Region encompasses 5 ½ counties and 64 school districts. Our main goal is to raise awareness of the benefits to the National Board Process and increase the number of teachers in our region pursuing the new National Board Certification process. In addition we are hoping to increase the number of NBCTs in teacher leader roles. We collaborate with NYSUT, NYSED, Teacher Centers, and districts to continue to spread the benefits of National Board Certification. This year because of additional grant funding, we are offering many cohort groups facilitated by trained Candidate Support Providers. We are also excited to bring a NBCT Teacher Leader Summit to Western New York this spring and we are working to create a professional organization for NBCTs in the region. In addition, we are planning a National Board Awareness Session, specifically for school administrators, Teacher Center Administrators, and local Union Representatives. If anyone is interested in any of these programs, or in becoming an NBCT, we invite teachers to contact Teri DiPasquale and Lori Mancuso, NBCT Co-Regional Coordinators of NBCNY Far West.
Regional Coordinator
Kathy Reiser achieved National Board Certification in Adolescent/Young Adult English in 2014. Havingsuch a positive experience, she moved on to be trained as a Professional Learning Facilitator in 2015. She worked with Buffalo and Kenmore Town-Tonawanda Staff Development Centers toprovide National Board Cohorts with several workshops during the year, as well as coordinating Writing Institutes for candidates. The Ken-Ton Cohort has been active for almost 10 years.Kathy received her Bachelor Degree in English and Education from Canisius College, and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Buffalo State University. Recently retired, she taught for almost 25 years in the Ken-Ton School District, teaching high school and middle school English, Response to Intervention, and supporting other teachers as an Instructional Support Specialist and Facilitator. She has also been active in NYSUT and the Kenmore Teachers Association as a representative. Kathy feels it is important to provide support for teachers at all stages in their career. Teachers leading teachers has always been a model that she feels is most successful. She strives to help her colleagues experience the pride of their accomplishments as they work
to attain their highest level of professional achievement through National Board Certification.
Support Near You!
Facilitator Email TC/IHE/BOCES/District
Kathy Reiser kathleenreiser@gmail.com KenTon Staff Development
Lori Mancuso lmancuso@wscschools.org
Teri DiPasquale-Mahar theresa811@aol.com Buffalo Teacher Center
Amy Klose aklose@ktufsd.org KenTon Staff Development Center
Michelle Berne mberne@edencsd.org Erie- Catt Teacher Center
Far West NB Candidate Support Cohort 2025-26
Sponsored by the Far West Teacher Centers
Participants will meet monthly to focus on required activities for their selected components in their National Board Certification area. Teachers choose which components to work on, examine their units of instruction, and which lesson plans best exemplify their skills as a teacher. Activities will be supported by a NB professional facilitator as participants navigate the process of becoming a Nationally Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). Teachers will work together as they strengthen their professional practice by sharing their development of descriptive, analytical, and reflective thinking, as they design a portfolio highlighting their decision making, student achievement, and professional growth.
This series of workshops is also appropriate for NBCTs that are seeking to maintain their certification (MOC). Come join colleagues from many districts, and become part of something that will change your teaching forever!
​
Workshop Meeting Dates:
Oct. 9, Nov. 13; Dec. 11; Jan. 8; February 11; March 12; April 16; May 5
Time: 4:30- 7:30 pm
​
In person- Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Staff Development Center
Ken-Ton Jr/Sr High 155 Delaware Road Kenmore NY
​
Virtual Option : A link will be sent to virtual participants.
Writing Institutes
We will meet with you virtually, or in small groups, or one-on-one. We hope to have some dates dedicated to a virtual writing institute, funded by NYSUT and supported byTeacher Centers this Spring.
​
Please email us with your name, contact info, school/school district, and NB certificate that you are pursuing. kathleenreiser@gmail.com
​
Contacts
News
Far West NBCTs give back to their profession by sharing their expertise with
preservice teachers at St. Bonaventure University. Why wait to learn about accomplished teaching, the NBPTS Five Core Propositions, the board certification process. These educators are planting the seeds for this career goal.