Tech Valley High School - Frequently Asked Questions

Teachers & Staffing at Tech Valley High School

What is the background of the faculty?
The school’s teachers are highly qualified and committed to the project-based learning philosophy. All teachers are certified in the subject areas they instruct, and hold the same credentials as all teachers who receive a license to teach in New York State. Tech Valley High School teachers work on an 11-month contract in order to accommodate the need for deep and sustained professional development and curriculum planning.

The faculty includes:

• Leah Penniman (biology and chemistry): With extensive experience in teaching biology, chemistry and mathematics as well as in project-based learning, the hallmark of Tech Valley High, Ms. Penniman designed and implemented an AP environmental science curriculum at University Park Campus School in Worcester, Mass., a small high school where she worked for five years and with her students undertook environmental quality studies that addressed Worcester’s problems with lead abatement and energy efficiency. Most recently Ms. Penniman was the founding director and mathematics and science teacher at the Harriet Tubman Free School, Albany. She has a B.A. and M.A.T. from Clark University and has completed post-master’s graduate work in biology.

• Stacia Snow (social studies): Ms. Snow brings six years of experience in teaching social studies at all levels. She has implemented numerous project-based learning experiences with her students, including analyzing urban and regional problems that engaged her students with local elected officials and developers to promote complex thinking in her civics curriculum. Ms. Snow has worked extensively with professors from Bard College’s M.A.T. program and holds her master of science in information science. Her work was presented in March at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education Conference in San Antonio. She holds a B.A. in secondary education from the SUNY/New Paltz.

• Michelle Sweeny (mathematics): Certified in both physics and mathematics, Ms. Sweeny has significant experience in teaching integrated mathematics and science. She served as department chair for science at St. Joseph Hill Academy, Staten Island, where she taught for 10 years and helped direct a one-to-one student laptop program that significantly changed teaching and learning there. She has taught all levels of science and math, including AP physics, calculus and math. She has coordinated numerous student projects integrating mathematics, science and technology, and holds a B.S. in physics/mathematics from Wagner College and an M.Ed. in secondary science education from the College of Staten Island.

• Mary Van Hoomissen (English): Ms. Van Hoomissen brings experience in literacy development and teaching across all grade levels of English, and with her students, has been deeply involved with the WAMC Student Media Project. She has developed initiatives in independent reading and student publications and directed local “poetry slam” events in the region. She has contributed to significant integration of literacy practices across curriculum content areas at Troy High School, Albany High School, Robert C. Parker School and Academy of the Holy Names. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Santa Barbara and an M.S. in secondary education from The College of St. Rose.

• Dean Walker (school counselor): Mr. Walker is a certified guidance counselor who served at Chatham High School before coming to Tech Valley High. In addition to his training and experience in guidance, Mr. Walker brings the experience of his 13 years in the business world as a software developer and applications specialist.

Art and physical education services are purchased as itinerant teachers through Questar III. A certified Mandarin Chinese teacher is shared with the Schodack Central School District.

How does teaching at Tech Valley High School differ from traditional schools?
Team-teaching, cross-curricular projects and/or integrated courses are the hallmarks of all teaching and learning. Partners from area businesses, higher education, organized labor and government assist in developing projects and will serve as mentors and field experts for both students and teachers throughout the learning process

How are teachers trained in project-based learning and in team-teaching?
Teachers are required to participate in a rigorous program of staff development designed to be certain that project-based learning and the curriculum are well understood. Much of this training is provided by the New Technology Foundation, which has considerable experience in the development of project-based learning, and is providing Tech Valley High School with access to an extensive database of curriculum as well as to its state-of-the-art learning system. Part of that training includes shadowing teachers who are delivering project-based learning experiences to students.

How is teacher training (and other team-member training) funded?
The grant from the New Technology Foundation, as well as federal, state and private funds, support the training. Tech Valley High School supports continual professional development for its teachers consistent with the professional development plans for the school.

Are Tech Valley High School teachers BOCES employees?
No. Tech Valley High School teachers are appointed and employed by the Tech Valley High School operating board and can organize themselves collectively.

What is the salary for teachers?
Salaries are competitive in the Capital Region and take into consideration the difference in being responsible for the development and implementation of a project-based learning experience for students. Teachers work an 11-month contract in order to accommodate the need for deep and sustained professional development and curriculum planning.

What is the teacher’s workday?
Teachers work a standard business day and whatever additional hours are needed to fulfill professional responsibilities including training and development, student and parent meetings, staff meetings and meetings with community partners.

Is the teaching calendar similar to other public schools in the region?
Tech Valley High School’s calendar year parallels the calendars of other public school districts in the Capital Region.

Is there a teachers’ union and contract?
A Tech Valley High School teachers’ contract will be negotiated. However, this cannot occur until teachers are hired and organize. Until then, teachers are subject to terms and conditions established by the Tech Valley High School operating board.

Are teachers tenured?
The same rights to tenure apply to Tech Valley High School as they do in other public schools.

When do teachers have access to the curriculum to develop lesson plans?
Teachers are required to participate in a rigorous program of staff development and training to ensure they understand integrated project-based learning and the curriculum. Much of this training is provided by the New Technology Foundation and occurs during the summer and in meetings throughout the year. Teachers play a critical role in further developing the recommendations of the Learning Team.