Proud to be MACS: October 2024

Below are remarks delivered at the October Board of Education Business Meeting at Palermo Elementary School on Oct. 17, 2024 by Board President James Emery.

Donna Herrmann PTBM

Tonight’s Proud to be MACS recipient, Donna Herrmann, a RTI teacher at Palermo Elementary, did not immediately enter the teaching profession from college.  She had a choice to make.  I think, after hearing the meaningful words that are to follow from her co-workers, you will agree with me that Donna chose wisely.

Donna grew up in the Skaneateles area graduating from the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District.

Donna attended SUNY at Oswego where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education as well as her Masters Degree in Reading.  Donna happens to be one of the few remaining teachers certified in K-12.

At college, Donna was very busy pursuing a double major, serving as a Resident Advisor, and working in the dining hall.

While attending Oswego, her dream was to be a journalist.  For those of you that follow news on the local TV stations, she hoped to be the next Carrie Lazarus.  Because of her busy schedule and the realization that she did not have the aggressive “get the story” personality that journalists often need, Donna decided that education would better suit her personality and was a more practical career than journalism.

Following graduation from Oswego, she would marry Greg and they would move to Long Island.  On a personal note, and, as an example of “it’s a small world”, Greg worked many years with my brother-in- law for a major food brand.

With the plan of starting a family and a dream of building their own home, Donna and Greg returned to Central New York where Donna’s family was located and land was cheaper than Long Island.

Donna would accept a position at SUNY at Oswego as Coordinator of Alumni and Development.  In that capacity, she met several famous Oswego Alums that included Al Roker from NBC’s Today Show.

While in the capacity of coordinator, Donna had to choose between pursuing her Masters in Business Administration or Reading; she chose Reading.

After seven years at SUNY at Oswego, Donna started substitute teaching.  She would secure a long term substitute position with the Hannibal Central School District.  This long term sub position lasted almost two years.

As luck would have it, Donna became acquainted with MACS staff member, Julie Whiteside.  Julie would intervene on Donna’s behalf and hand deliver Donna’s resume to then MACS administrator, Cathy Carros for a position in the burgeoning field of Academic Intervention Services.

Donna would end up being hired by Cathy and would begin her career with MACS in 2001.

Donna was assigned to Palermo Elementary, but, for a short period, split her time at the Mexico Middle School until another intervention occurred.  This time, the intervention came from Palermo teacher, Karen Metcalf, who reasoned with then Principal Lou Carbone that it was not efficient having Donna split her time, especially when another teacher was splitting their time at the Mexico Middle School.  As a result, Donna became full time at Palermo and has remained there ever since.

So how did choosing the field of education work out for Donna, her students, and her colleagues?

Nominators Lyndsey Fellows and Rebecca Rice write that, “Donna is always willing to problem solve and be a team player.  She is a great support and collaborator for the general education and special education staff!  Donna sets high expectations for her scholars to achieve their fullest potential!  She is always willing to go above and beyond for ALL students!”

Colleague Traci Stanard writes, “First and foremost, I am so proud of Donna for being recognized as the outstanding educator that she is.  Donna has spent countless hours teaching students here at Palermo how to read and write.  She has taught children who struggled how to read while fostering a love of reading along the way.”

On a more personal note, Traci continues by writing, “Through the years Donna has been my colleague, but she has also become my best friend.  In 2013 when I transferred from a classroom teacher at Mexico Elementary to an AIS teacher at Palermo Elementary, Donna took me under her wing.  She taught me the programs used here and ate lunch with me every day.  She put me back together again and helped me gain my voice and self-confidence professionally and personally.  I would not be who I am today if it were not for my friend and colleague, Donna Herrmann.”

Another colleague, Tracey Reynolds writes, “Donna started in our district as an AIS teacher and then became trained as a Reading Specialist in the Intensive Reading Recovery method.  Donna has been an integral part of Palermo and our students’ successes.  She is extremely knowledgeable and a committed educator who advocates for our students’ highest needs daily.  Donna is our “go-to” specialist for all reading instruction.  She is well versed in all aspects of learning how to read and provides consistent, proven instruction at her table while also being so caring for our staff as well.  She is always willing to help out with any Reading needs or otherwise, for our students and staff.  She was very patient and an excellent mentor for me when I joined the RTI team four years ago.  She is a font of information, and I still learn so much from her!”

Tracey further writes, “Donna has helped to drive our Hospitality/Sunshine Committee for many years and has helped to provide many wonderful memories of baby showers, retirement parties and staff luncheons and breakfasts.  Donna has also worked tirelessly with the MACSFA Union in many, varied roles and is a reliable, respected and responsive member.”

As for Donna’s favorite part of her job, it is the growth that she witnesses in her students over time.  She is especially proud to have been part of the Kindergarten team that taught virtually during COVID and proud of her students that overcame the challenges from that period.

Donna’s favorite memory or, more accurately, her proudest moment, was the recognition of her efforts and the impact on the life of a former elementary student referenced by the student in her senior application for the “We Remember” scholarship.  Donna was touched that the high school student would remember a teacher from her elementary years.  As a bonus, Donna was the Marshall at that student’s graduation ceremony.

Sadly, despite all of the successes and accolades accomplished by Donna, she has decided to retire to spend more time with family and to travel.

To that, Traci Stanard writes,”I am very happy for Donna that she is able to retire and spend more time with her family.  She will be missed greatly by me and many others.  Her shoes will be very hard to fill. Thank you Donna for all that you have done for Palermo and for me.”

Tracey Reynolds also wishes Donna well in retirement when she writes, “Daily, Donna is a hard working and tireless advocate for students and staff.  She will be missed so very much when she retires, but we are all ecstatic for her next chapter.  Retirement is a privilege she has certainly earned!” 

Tracey concludes by writing, “Thank you for (allowing me) the honor of writing about a wonderful human!”

So Donna, for choosing wisely the career of an educator and not a journalist or Alumni Coordinator, for being a problem solver and team player, for setting high expectations and going above and beyond for all students, for teaching children who struggled how to read while fostering a love of reading along the way, for being a mentor and friend to your colleagues, for always being willing to help out with any Reading needs of students and staff, for being a font of information, for being an integral member of your building’s Sunshine/ Hospitality committee and MACSFA union, but, most importantly, for being a wonderful human, it is a well-deserved honor, that we, the Board, recognize you as our Proud to be MACS recipient for October 2024.