Meet the NFRC Board of Directors
NFRC Officers 2020-2021
President
Heidi Clarke
Heidi has over 20 years of experience as a reading specialist, literacy coach, elementary classroom teacher, and educational consultant. She has presented professional development workshops on literacy throughout Western New York, and is also a certified trainer in the 6+1 Trait Writing model. Heidi is involved in the NFRC’s service project as the steward of the Little Free Library in the Town of Pendleton, and is a past President of the NFRC.
Past President
Kirsten Burke Smith
Kirsten is currently a literacy specialist and instructional coach for grades 5-6 in the Lockport City School District. She is a past president of the Niagara Frontier Reading Council. She also serves as president-elect of the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA), for 2020-2021. Kirsten is New York State certified in literacy (birth-grade 12). She serves as an Apple Teacher, PBS Digital Innovator, and was a 2014 WTC Tribute Center Teacher Award recipient. She is the 2019 recipient of the Niagara Frontier Reading Council Service to Reading Award, and the 2019 New York State Reading Association Literacy Educator of the Year Award. Buffalo Business First named her one of their “People On the Move” for her approach and commitment to pedagogy. She has presented at many local, state, and national conferences. She presents international webinars for Kappa Delta Pi, the international education honorary. She is the 2020 Paul R. Hanna Laureate Scholarship recipient through Kappa Delta Pi, and is currently pursuing her doctorate in literacy through SUNY Albany.
President Elect
Gina Rose Niemell
Gina is currently a literacy specialist at Maple West Elementary, in the Williamsville Central School District and works primarily with struggling K-4 readers. She has previously held positions at both Enterprise Charter School and Cleveland-Hill Middle School. Gina holds NYS certifications in Literacy, B-6; Literacy, 5-12; Social Studies, 7-12; and ELA, 7-12. She has a deep commitment to growing her professional capacity and values her affiliation with several professional organizations including the International Literacy Association (ILA), the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA), the Niagara Frontier Reading Council (NFRC), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). In addition to serving on the NFRC board, Gina’s professional interests include disciplinary literacy, Response to Intervention (RtI)/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and curriculum development and design. She is a voracious reader, an avid theater nerd, and a dedicated football fan - Go Bills!
Vice President for Programming
Ashlee Campbell
Ashlee Campbell, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Literacy and the Associate Director of the Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction (CLaRI) in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo. She has been teaching methods and practicum-based literacy courses at UB for 11 years. She is a former NK-6 classroom teacher and literacy specialist.
Program Advisor
Patty Oliphant
Patty is a NYS certified elementary teacher birth - 6 with a concentration in Special Education as well as a NYS Certified Literacy Specialist for students from birth - 12th grade. She is also a certified 6+1 Traits of Writing Teacher Trainer. Patty began her career teaching second grade but has spent the last 29 years teaching kindergarten at both St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore and at Fricano Primary in the Starpoint School District where she loves giving her emergent readers and writers lots of varied and authentic experiences within both her classroom and the community. She has served as a Mentor Teacher, chairs the visiting author committee, and established a partnership with Barnes and Noble that brings nearly 150 kindergarten through second grade students from her school into the store during a two night event to share their literacy accomplishments with an authentic audience. In the past she has served as both President and Vice President for Programming of the NFRC. She is currently the chair of the Mini Grant Committee and the Fall Mini Conference for the NFRC and serves on the Charlotte Children's Book Award Committee for NYSRA.
Secretary
Jack Agugliaro
Jack was a remedial Reading Teacher in the North Tonawanda City School District, working at the High School level for 38 years. He retired in June 2016. He achieved his BA in Elementary Education from Canisius College and his MS in Ed. from Buffalo State College, becoming one of the first Reading Teachers to hold a Reading Certificate. He extends his love for reading by performing and directing in professional and community theater productions, having done so for 15 years.
Treasurer
Susan Busch
Susan is a retired after 30+ years as a reading teacher, Susan Busch is currently serving as a family literacy consultant in local schools. As a member of NFRC for over 25 years, she has been active in the Outreach Committee's Habitat for Humanity House Dedication Book Baskets/ book cases, United Way Baby Shower, and the Nicaragua School Project. She has co-authored, with Judy Bradbury, a family literacy book for educators entitled, Empowering Families: Practical Ways to Involve Parents in Boosting Literacy, Gr. PreK-5, published in April 2015.
Director of Membership
Carol Bush
Carol has been dedicated to the field of education for more than thirteen years. During this time she has served as a Spanish Teacher for grades 6-12, Literacy Specialist for grades K-12, Coordinator of Students Services and Curriculum, and Professional Development Specialist. These experiences have provided her with invaluable insight into the world of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as special education. They have also helped cultivate her passion for literacy. Carol recently accepted a new position as the Elementary Principal for the Elba Central School District
NFRC Officers 2020-2022 Board Members
Judy Bradbury
Judy is an author and award-winning literacy specialist who has taught students from preschool through college. Judy’s children’s books include The Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series. Book 1, The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship releases in Spring 2021, with Books 2 and 3 to follow in subsequent seasons. Judy’s Christopher Counts! picture books series for ages 4-7 features embedded math in each story.
Judy is also the author of professional resources: The Read-Aloud Scaffold: Best Books to Enhance Content Area Curriculum, the read-aloud resource series Children’s Book Corner, and Empowering Families: Practical Ways to Involve Parents in Boosting Literacy, Grade Pre-K—5 co-authored by Susan E. Busch. Judy’s popular Children’s Book Corner blog (www.blog.judybradbury.com) features interviews with authors and illustrators and suggestions for using their books to enhance curriculum while boosting social-emotional learning. It was inspired by the column she wrote for LibrarySparks. Judy also has published dozens of articles in Children’s Writer and the annualWriter’s Guide. She has taught graduate courses in literacy and writing for children and is a freelance editor and writing consultant. Judy conducts professional development workshops on topics related to literacy and has served as Coordinator of the Educator Event at the WNY Children’s Book Expo since its inception in 2015. An advocate for promoting reading through community initiatives, Judy has received awards from the NYSRA and the NFRC, for whom she serves as Professional Development Chair. For more information, visit www.judybradbury.com. Connect with Judy on IG: judy_bradbury; Twitter: JudyBWrites; and LinkedIn.
Lindsey Buck
Lindsey (lbuck@opschools.org) started her career as a full time literacy teacher at East High In Rochester, NY. She is now a 7th grade ELA teacher at Orchard Park Middle School. This is her fourth full year of teaching and she is loving every minute of it! Lindsey graduated from Fredonia with her Bachelors for 7-12th grade ELA and a Masters degree from the University of Rochester for Literacy Birth-12th grade. She has been a member of the Rochester Area Literacy Council (RALC) and is excited to now be apart of NFRC. Lindsey has presented at the NYSRA conference and participates often in professional development opportunities to keep up-to-date with the most reason research in literacy education. When not at school, the gym, or with family, you can find her at the local Barnes & Noble spending all her money on books.
Pamela Garabedian
Pamela has served the NFRC as a Board Member, Awards Chairperson, Vice-President in charge of Programming, and President. The NFRC embodies what she is most passionate about, literacy, empowering minds of all ages to become articulate readers, writers and communicators. Her educational background consists of Bachelor of Science degree in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education and has a Master of Science degree as a Literacy Specialist. Additionally, she has extended her certification into Exceptional Education to support her students with a more individualized learning approach. In the past she has served as an Intervention Specialist, Reading First Coordinator and Coach, Read 180 Coordinator, School Based Intervention Team Coordinator, 6+1 Traits of Writing Trainer, Mentor Teacher, and Literacy Consultant. She has also conducted research in cooperation with Buffalo State College and Project Flight in the field of reading. Literacy is her passion and she has worked as Literacy Specialist for the past several years. She has taught ELA in grades 4-8, and has been an elementary school teacher for grades 1-6 to include enrichment classes. Currently, she serves as a sixth grade teacher in the Niagara Falls School District.
Patricia Oliphant
Patty is a NYS certified elementary teacher birth - 6 with a concentration in Special Education as well as a NYS Certified Literacy Specialist for students from birth - 12th grade. She is also a certified 6+1 Traits of Writing Teacher Trainer. Patty began her career teaching second grade but has spent the last 29 years teaching kindergarten at both St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore and at Fricano Primary in the Starpoint School District where she loves giving her emergent readers and writers lots of varied and authentic experiences within both her classroom and the community. She has served as a Mentor Teacher, chairs the visiting author committee, and established a partnership with Barnes and Noble that brings nearly 150 kindergarten through second grade students from her school into the store during a two night event to share their literacy accomplishments with an authentic audience. In the past she has served as both President and Vice President for Programming of the NFRC. She is currently the chair of the Mini Grant Committee and the Fall Mini Conference for the NFRC and serves on the Charlotte Children's Book Award Committee for NYSRA.
Judy is an author and award-winning literacy specialist who has taught students from preschool through college. Judy’s children’s books include The Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series. Book 1, The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship releases in Spring 2021, with Books 2 and 3 to follow in subsequent seasons. Judy’s Christopher Counts! picture books series for ages 4-7 features embedded math in each story.
Judy is also the author of professional resources: The Read-Aloud Scaffold: Best Books to Enhance Content Area Curriculum, the read-aloud resource series Children’s Book Corner, and Empowering Families: Practical Ways to Involve Parents in Boosting Literacy, Grade Pre-K—5 co-authored by Susan E. Busch. Judy’s popular Children’s Book Corner blog (www.blog.judybradbury.com) features interviews with authors and illustrators and suggestions for using their books to enhance curriculum while boosting social-emotional learning. It was inspired by the column she wrote for LibrarySparks. Judy also has published dozens of articles in Children’s Writer and the annualWriter’s Guide. She has taught graduate courses in literacy and writing for children and is a freelance editor and writing consultant. Judy conducts professional development workshops on topics related to literacy and has served as Coordinator of the Educator Event at the WNY Children’s Book Expo since its inception in 2015. An advocate for promoting reading through community initiatives, Judy has received awards from the NYSRA and the NFRC, for whom she serves as Professional Development Chair. For more information, visit www.judybradbury.com. Connect with Judy on IG: judy_bradbury; Twitter: JudyBWrites; and LinkedIn.
Lindsey Buck
Lindsey (lbuck@opschools.org) started her career as a full time literacy teacher at East High In Rochester, NY. She is now a 7th grade ELA teacher at Orchard Park Middle School. This is her fourth full year of teaching and she is loving every minute of it! Lindsey graduated from Fredonia with her Bachelors for 7-12th grade ELA and a Masters degree from the University of Rochester for Literacy Birth-12th grade. She has been a member of the Rochester Area Literacy Council (RALC) and is excited to now be apart of NFRC. Lindsey has presented at the NYSRA conference and participates often in professional development opportunities to keep up-to-date with the most reason research in literacy education. When not at school, the gym, or with family, you can find her at the local Barnes & Noble spending all her money on books.
Pamela Garabedian
Pamela has served the NFRC as a Board Member, Awards Chairperson, Vice-President in charge of Programming, and President. The NFRC embodies what she is most passionate about, literacy, empowering minds of all ages to become articulate readers, writers and communicators. Her educational background consists of Bachelor of Science degree in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education and has a Master of Science degree as a Literacy Specialist. Additionally, she has extended her certification into Exceptional Education to support her students with a more individualized learning approach. In the past she has served as an Intervention Specialist, Reading First Coordinator and Coach, Read 180 Coordinator, School Based Intervention Team Coordinator, 6+1 Traits of Writing Trainer, Mentor Teacher, and Literacy Consultant. She has also conducted research in cooperation with Buffalo State College and Project Flight in the field of reading. Literacy is her passion and she has worked as Literacy Specialist for the past several years. She has taught ELA in grades 4-8, and has been an elementary school teacher for grades 1-6 to include enrichment classes. Currently, she serves as a sixth grade teacher in the Niagara Falls School District.
Patricia Oliphant
Patty is a NYS certified elementary teacher birth - 6 with a concentration in Special Education as well as a NYS Certified Literacy Specialist for students from birth - 12th grade. She is also a certified 6+1 Traits of Writing Teacher Trainer. Patty began her career teaching second grade but has spent the last 29 years teaching kindergarten at both St. John the Baptist School in Kenmore and at Fricano Primary in the Starpoint School District where she loves giving her emergent readers and writers lots of varied and authentic experiences within both her classroom and the community. She has served as a Mentor Teacher, chairs the visiting author committee, and established a partnership with Barnes and Noble that brings nearly 150 kindergarten through second grade students from her school into the store during a two night event to share their literacy accomplishments with an authentic audience. In the past she has served as both President and Vice President for Programming of the NFRC. She is currently the chair of the Mini Grant Committee and the Fall Mini Conference for the NFRC and serves on the Charlotte Children's Book Award Committee for NYSRA.
NFRC 2019-2021 Board Members
Elizabeth Bystrak
Liz has worked in public education as a special education and reading teacher for over 18 years. Having worked with students from early childhood, elementary, middle school and high school, she has developed a solid understanding of childhood development and of our PK-12 educational system. Liz is currently a reading specialist at Orchard Park Middle School. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education at both Buffalo State and Medaille Colleges. She has provided professional development for area school districts focusing on word study and has presented at several state-wide conferences. Liz is also the current Secretary of the Prader-Willi Alliance of New York State. She is particularly interested in identifying and implementing reading interventions for students with reading-based disabilities.
Tiffany Karalis-Noel
Tiffany Karalis Noel, a previous high school English Language Arts teacher, is currently a clinical assistant professor and director of doctoral studies in the Department of Learning and Instruction at University at Buffalo. Tiffany has taught courses including, but not limited to: Qualitative Techniques for Education, Advanced Qualitative Research Field Methods, Collaborative Teaching and Inquiry, Action Research to Improve Teaching and Learning, Leading Curriculum and Instructional Improvement, Language Diversity and Literacy, and Content Area Literacy Methods. In addition, Tiffany’s research centers on themes including teacher education, teacher professional identity formation, mentoring relationships in higher education, and the role of equity and inclusion in cultivating supportive and sustainable educational environments. Tiffany recently became a member of the Niagara Frontier Research Council and currently serves as a Board Member.
Michele Montoro
Michele started her career as a Speech Teacher working with severely speech impaired and autistic children. Michele went on to receive her Masters degree at St. Bonaventure University and is a NYS Certified Reading Specialist K-12. Michele has been employed by the Hamburg Central School District for the past 19 years where she began teaching middle school AIS reading before transferring to Union Pleasant Elementary School to teach reading intervention with K-5 grade students. She is currently the AIS Department Leader for Hamburg Central. Michele is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Read 180, Phonics First, and Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI). She recently had her dog trained as a therapy dog to incorporate his services into her work with students as another method to alleviate reading anxiety faced by so many struggling readers.
Mary Beth Scumaci
Mary Beth is the Director of Online Learning, Past Associate Professor of Practice with the Education Department at Medaille College. She designs and develops online courses for all departments across the Medaille community. She also trains students, faculty, and staff with their online course skills. She teaches graduate and undergraduate students in Education. Mary Beth has been an active member of the NFRC for over 15 years. She has served as President and Vice President of Programming; currently, she is a Board Member serving as Website Designer and Editor. She also assists with community and conference programming for the organization. Mary Beth serves on the WNY Children's Book Expo Executive Board, bringing the largest community literacy event to Western New York.
John Strong
John Z. Strong, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Literacy Education in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, where he teaches graduate courses in middle childhood/adolescent literacy methods and reading strategies instruction. Dr. Strong previously taught high school English language arts in Delaware. His research focuses on designing integrated reading and writing interventions for students in grades 4–12. He has published in leading journals and is coauthor of the books Differentiated Literacy Instruction in Grades 4 and 5, Second Edition and Literacy Instruction with Disciplinary Texts: Strategies for Grades 6-12. Dr. Strong is a recipient of the Steven A. Stahl Research Grant from the International Literacy Association and the Reading Hall of Fame Emerging Scholars Fellowship.
Liz has worked in public education as a special education and reading teacher for over 18 years. Having worked with students from early childhood, elementary, middle school and high school, she has developed a solid understanding of childhood development and of our PK-12 educational system. Liz is currently a reading specialist at Orchard Park Middle School. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education at both Buffalo State and Medaille Colleges. She has provided professional development for area school districts focusing on word study and has presented at several state-wide conferences. Liz is also the current Secretary of the Prader-Willi Alliance of New York State. She is particularly interested in identifying and implementing reading interventions for students with reading-based disabilities.
Tiffany Karalis-Noel
Tiffany Karalis Noel, a previous high school English Language Arts teacher, is currently a clinical assistant professor and director of doctoral studies in the Department of Learning and Instruction at University at Buffalo. Tiffany has taught courses including, but not limited to: Qualitative Techniques for Education, Advanced Qualitative Research Field Methods, Collaborative Teaching and Inquiry, Action Research to Improve Teaching and Learning, Leading Curriculum and Instructional Improvement, Language Diversity and Literacy, and Content Area Literacy Methods. In addition, Tiffany’s research centers on themes including teacher education, teacher professional identity formation, mentoring relationships in higher education, and the role of equity and inclusion in cultivating supportive and sustainable educational environments. Tiffany recently became a member of the Niagara Frontier Research Council and currently serves as a Board Member.
Michele Montoro
Michele started her career as a Speech Teacher working with severely speech impaired and autistic children. Michele went on to receive her Masters degree at St. Bonaventure University and is a NYS Certified Reading Specialist K-12. Michele has been employed by the Hamburg Central School District for the past 19 years where she began teaching middle school AIS reading before transferring to Union Pleasant Elementary School to teach reading intervention with K-5 grade students. She is currently the AIS Department Leader for Hamburg Central. Michele is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Read 180, Phonics First, and Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI). She recently had her dog trained as a therapy dog to incorporate his services into her work with students as another method to alleviate reading anxiety faced by so many struggling readers.
Mary Beth Scumaci
Mary Beth is the Director of Online Learning, Past Associate Professor of Practice with the Education Department at Medaille College. She designs and develops online courses for all departments across the Medaille community. She also trains students, faculty, and staff with their online course skills. She teaches graduate and undergraduate students in Education. Mary Beth has been an active member of the NFRC for over 15 years. She has served as President and Vice President of Programming; currently, she is a Board Member serving as Website Designer and Editor. She also assists with community and conference programming for the organization. Mary Beth serves on the WNY Children's Book Expo Executive Board, bringing the largest community literacy event to Western New York.
John Strong
John Z. Strong, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Literacy Education in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, where he teaches graduate courses in middle childhood/adolescent literacy methods and reading strategies instruction. Dr. Strong previously taught high school English language arts in Delaware. His research focuses on designing integrated reading and writing interventions for students in grades 4–12. He has published in leading journals and is coauthor of the books Differentiated Literacy Instruction in Grades 4 and 5, Second Edition and Literacy Instruction with Disciplinary Texts: Strategies for Grades 6-12. Dr. Strong is a recipient of the Steven A. Stahl Research Grant from the International Literacy Association and the Reading Hall of Fame Emerging Scholars Fellowship.
NFRC Standing Committee Chairs 2020-2021
Council Awards Co- Chairs
Liz Bystrak
(see bio above)
Patty Oliphant
(see bio above)
Professional Development Chair
Judy Bradbury
(see bio above)
CTLE Chair
Patricia Oliphant
(see bio above)
Finance / Budget Chair
TBD
History Chair
Pamela Garabedian
(see bio above)
Liaison Chair
Jack Agugliaro
(see bio above)
Nominating Chair
A Collaborative Effort by the Board
Mini Grants Chair
Patricia Oliphant
(see bio above)
Outreach Chair
Susan Busch & Judy Bradbury
(see bios above)
Spotlight Editor
Jack Agugliaro
(see bio above)
Social Media Network
Kirsten Smith
(see bio above)
Web Designer
Mary Beth Scumaci
(see bio above)
Audit Chair
Betsy Marshall
Betsy received her B.S. in Elementary and Exceptional Education (1-6) from Buffalo State College and Ms.Ed. in Literacy (B-6) from Canisius College. She currently holds NYS certification in elementary and special education (1-6) and literacy (B-6). Betsy is going into her fourth year teaching first grade at St. Mary School in Swormville. She has been an ILA member since 2015 and NYSRA and NFRC member since 2016. This is her fourth year serving as Audit Chair.
NYSRA Delegates
Kirsten B. Smith (see bio above)
Gina Rose Niemel (see bio above)
Western Regional Representative
Cherie Gerych
Liz Bystrak
(see bio above)
Patty Oliphant
(see bio above)
Professional Development Chair
Judy Bradbury
(see bio above)
CTLE Chair
Patricia Oliphant
(see bio above)
Finance / Budget Chair
TBD
History Chair
Pamela Garabedian
(see bio above)
Liaison Chair
Jack Agugliaro
(see bio above)
Nominating Chair
A Collaborative Effort by the Board
Mini Grants Chair
Patricia Oliphant
(see bio above)
Outreach Chair
Susan Busch & Judy Bradbury
(see bios above)
Spotlight Editor
Jack Agugliaro
(see bio above)
Social Media Network
Kirsten Smith
(see bio above)
Web Designer
Mary Beth Scumaci
(see bio above)
Audit Chair
Betsy Marshall
Betsy received her B.S. in Elementary and Exceptional Education (1-6) from Buffalo State College and Ms.Ed. in Literacy (B-6) from Canisius College. She currently holds NYS certification in elementary and special education (1-6) and literacy (B-6). Betsy is going into her fourth year teaching first grade at St. Mary School in Swormville. She has been an ILA member since 2015 and NYSRA and NFRC member since 2016. This is her fourth year serving as Audit Chair.
NYSRA Delegates
Kirsten B. Smith (see bio above)
Gina Rose Niemel (see bio above)
Western Regional Representative
Cherie Gerych