Cassadaga Valley recognized their longest serving teacher, Sandy Askin, and had her deliver the keynote address during the recognition of new and veteran teachers earlier this month. Submitted photo

SINCLAIRVILLE — Cassadaga Valley Central School has added 26 new staff members across the school system to the team – including 11 teachers.

New teachers and staff members included; Justin Rokitka, Kennedy Neckers, Kaylee Anderson, Bethany Peterson, Mack Mikula, Ben Schrader, Courtney Housler, Ashley Rokitka, Colleen Fabritius, Lindsey Crisanti Meeder, Melissa Hallowell, Bethany Hall, Katie Prentice, Steven Bajdo, Courtney Cassatt, Amanda VanHouten, Michale Rizzo, Kris Seastedt, James Hempel, Caylin Scriven, Mark Kezman, Rackel Turk, Matthew Fredrick, David DiSavario, Mallory Sherrard and Brittany Mower.

“On opening day, we welcomed our new team members and celebrated our 25 veteran team members who have been with the district for 25 years or more,” Superintendent Tammy Mangus said. “This crew of experts includes folks from all of our departments, including teachers, our Facilities Director, office personnel and our transportation team.”

The 25 veteran team members were made up of Sandra Askin, Catherine Devore, Todd Ames, Ginger Comstock, Kristine Merrill, Jarzette Alm, Scott McKinney, Kristin Pomroy, Debra Winton, Joy Marie Bartlett, Nicole Zenns, Amy Raynor, Debra Howard, Kristine Carr, Jerri Crandall, Danyal Dahl, Stacy Nelsen, Marie Lawson, Mary Torrey, Andrew Cusimano, Karen Schrader, Tammy Rice, Geraldine Abbey, Nicole Warsitz, and Robin Jasinksi.

All 25 veterans were called to offer words of advice to the rest of the school team, with the district’s longest serving teacher, Askin, delivering the keynote. Mangus said Askin has been with the district for 37 years, and her keynote gave the entire room reason to pause and consider the work that schools do.

This recognition is something new for Cassadaga Valley this year, but something that Mangus said they will be continuing to do and that the district thinks is important.

“We must be innovative while carrying on our strong traditions if we are to thrive as a district,” Mangus said. “When we welcome new Cougar Team members and tap the expertise of our veterans, we know that together we can do great things.”