Author: Janelle Davis

1. What is your background, and how did you become the Animal Keeper and Education Program Manager at the Sciencenter?I grew up in Ithaca and have fond memories of visiting the Sciencenter with my family and for school field trips. I developed a passion for community engagement and environmental education while attending Lehman Alternative Community School. I further explored these fields at Oberlin College and while working at an environmental education center serving public school students in Tucson, Arizona. In 2017, I was thrilled to return to my hometown and join the Sciencenter’s education team. I’ve since held many roles…

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1. What is your educational background and what are you teaching? I attended The Ohio State University for both my undergrad and graduate degrees. I have my master’s in special education. I recently earned National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs Specialist-Early Childhood through Young Adulthood-Mild/Moderate Disabilities (ages 5-21+). I have taught in the West Genesee Central School District for the last 25 years. I am a sixth grade special education teacher at West Genesee Intermediate School. I push into English, math, science, and social studies. I also teach small groups of students in a resource setting. 2. How do you…

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1. How did you get into education and what are you currently teaching?I started as an art major at Nazareth College in Rochester. I was 17 when I graduated, so there was pressure for me to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was good at art, so I thought that would be the right direction. It was a great school and really did prepare me and make me well-rounded. After I graduated from Nazareth, I got a job at a local credit union in their marketing department. I just knew that this wasn’t going…

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Named in honor of Marquis de Lafayette, the village of Fayetteville was incorporated in 1844. These days, it has various parks and activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Parks and Nature Centers Green Lakes State Park This state park offers many activities, whether you want to stay for the day or rent a cabin for a weekend. Visitors can take advantage of trails, picnic tables and pavilions, campsites, a golf course, a beach, a concession stand, and a new $3 million playground, all spread around the two lakes and the forest. Where: 7900 Green Lakes Road. More information:…

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1. You do so much with writing and education. Let’s start with your role at Liverpool High School. At Liverpool High School, I work with ninth and 10th grade special needs students as a “program manager.” This means I attend classes with them and act as a sort of tutor for the group when they are not in those classes. I also work one-on-one with more severely autistic children to keep them safe and help them reach their educational goals. 2. Can you tell us about The Writer’s Life class that you teach? What can students expect and who is…

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Coined as the “Copper City” during the Industrial Revolution, historic Rome is located about 49 minutes from Syracuse and is home to activities that fit all interests.Parks and Nature TrailsGRIFFISS INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN AND NATURE TRAILImpressive sculptures, like “Nature’s Wrath,” “Crown,” and “Freya,” maintain your interest as you walk through an extensive nature path filled with art and biodiversity.Where: 584 Phoenix Drive.More information: griffissbusinesspark.com.DELTA LAKE STATE PARKThe park is situated on a peninsula that stretches into the Delta Reservoir, and visitors can take advantage of picnic areas, nature trails, fishing, camping sites, and beaches. In the winter, you can trek…

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1. What is your background and what do you teach? I have a B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. Both degrees are from Syracuse University. I am a speech therapist at the North Syracuse Early Education Program, which is part of the North Syracuse Central School District. This is an integrated program, where the classrooms contain eight children designated with special needs and eight children with no special needs. I work with children with special needs aging in the range of 3-5 years. I work collaboratively with a variety of other professionals, such as…

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1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be the program coordinator for the Cancer Services Program?I’ve worked for the Onondaga County Health Department for a little over 13 years now, and have a true passion for public health. I’ve been the program coordinator for the Cancer Services Program since 2016. My job connects me with the community and brings me such joy knowing I can assist individuals of Onondaga County one resident at a time by providing such an important health screening.2. For those unfamiliar, what is the Cancer Services Program?The Cancer Services Program provides…

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1. What is your background and how did you come to be the education program coordinator at the Sciencenter? My degree is in biology. I was working in conservation research when I realized that some of my favorite parts of my job were sharing the science factor I was working on. Also, my enjoyment of working with children led me to look at positions in informal science education; jobs in nature centers, museums, parks, and other places that need science interpretation. I was lucky to land a job at the Sciencenter in the education department. I’ve been working at the…

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1. What is your background and how did you become the director of environmental risk assessment for the Onondaga County Health Department? I am a biology major from Cornell University. I have now worked with Environmental Health for 26 years. I started as an environmental health technician. I worked my way up through the years, working in different programs until I became director. 2. For readers who aren’t familiar with your job title, what are your day-to-day duties? I have a lot of different duties, but there are two main portions of my job, especially this time of the year.…

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