Welcome to the Western Section of STANYS:

Science Teachers Association of New York State.

The Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) promotes excellence in science education and works with educators and communities to provide opportunities for all students to participate in and learn science. We believe in student-centered education that excites and invites participation by all students. We work to identify and promote exemplary programs and effective teaching practices based on tested research and to model new programs off key findings.

We strive for collaborative/partnership relationships with other professional and community organizations to build strong communication networks that are maintained through newsletters, telecommunications, and other publications.

The Western Section serves teachers and students in Erie and Wyoming Counties. We welcome all teachers Pre-K through college level, and preservice teachers.

What will STANYS membership mean for you?

Networking with innovative educators locally and statewide
Updates on current news and resources for NYSSLS
Access to science specific professional development opportunities and discounts on conference

Meet Our Board of Directors for Western Section

Cheryl Aldrich, Section Director, Section Chair, Website Manager

Mrs. Cheryl Aldrich is currently employed at the Sweet Home Central School District in Amherst, NY where she has been an elementary teacher for over 26 years. The past eleven years have been spent as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Elementary Science, developing a new science program focused around inquiry science lab experiences for third to fifth grades across the district. She is also charge with developing a K-5 science curriculum centered around the NYS Science Learning Standards. Mrs. Aldrich received a Masters in Elementary Science Education from SUNY at Buffalo in 1998. She is a graduate of the Michelson Exxon Mobile Teacher Academy in 2013, working with writers of NGSS and the top educators in the United States. Mrs. Aldrich received the K-8 Outstanding Science Educator Award in 2014 from STANYS. In 2018, Mrs. Aldrich received the Anton Banko Award for Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching through STANYS, and became a NYS Master Teacher.

Annette Miller, Earth Science Co-SAR

Annette Miller earned her B.S.Ed. from SUNY College at Buffalo in Biology Education, Ed.M. from SUNY at Buffalo in Science Education and her C.A.S. in Teacher Leadership from Niagara University. Over the past 14 years, Annette has taught Living Environment, Earth Science, and is currently teaching 7th and 8th grade science at International Preparatory School in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Miller is an active member of the school community, serving on the School-Based Management Team, Community Engagement Team, Building Committee, Middle School STEM Club, and serves as a Buffalo Teachers Federation Union Delegate. She is a member of the Buffalo Public School’s Math and Science Partnership Grant and provides professional development monthly to district middle school science teachers. Outside of school, Mrs. Miller is an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa-Alpha Chapter, a teaching altruistic sorority and enjoys spending time with her family. She became a New York State Master Teacher in 2018.

Sarah English, DAL Chemistry

Sarah English started her career in education as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa (95-97) as a math teacher after graduating from the University of Rochester. Upon returning to the United States, she continued her education at Niagara University with a Masters in Science Education and then at the University at Buffalo earning her PhD in Science Education in 2006. Dr. English is currently employed at Sweet Home High School in Amherst, NY and teaches Regents Chemistry and Advanced Placement Chemistry. Sarah is a NYS Master Teacher Emeritus, an ACS Chemistry club advisor and founder of the group WNY ChemConnect. She is an adjunct professor at Buffalo State College where she is teaches the Scienc Methods course.

Karen Lester, Treasurer

Diane Kessler

I moved to Williamsville during the pandemic. Currently I teach at South Buffalo Charter School. I have taught 4th and 6th grade, and previously taught science grades 1-4 at: The Windward School, White Plains, NY which is Internationally recognized, The Windward School focuses on students with above average IQs and language processing disabilities (dyslexia). I presented a workshop at the 2019 STANYS conference. Currently I was one of 15 people selected to work on a grant writing NYSSLS assessments through The Institute for Practical Education in Science.

Mary Kay Flett, Membership and Elementary Co-SAR

Susan Cyrulik, Intermediate SAR, BOCES Liaison

Keith Stoerr Living Environment SAR

I attended Gannon University on an athletic scholarship and studied Health Sciences on a pre-physical therapy track. I graduated with my B.S. in Health Science in 2013. I began working in Law Enforcement, where I stayed for 6 years. During that time, I began to coach high school wrestling and football. This ignited a passion for working with high school kids. I began to take classes online and at night at SUNY Empire State and SUNY ECC. This led to me leaving law enforcement and accepting a teaching position at Health Sciences Charter School. I began taking master's classes at SUNY Buffalo State College where I graduated with my M.S. Ed in Science Education. In 2021 I began teaching at Clarence High School.

Samantha Stone Earth Science SAR

Physics SAR

David Henry, College SAR, Buffalo State College

Katie Agen, At Large Member

Kathryn Agen earned her BA in Biology from Mercyhurst University and her MS Ed. in Secondary Education (Biology 5-12) from Niagara University. Mrs. Agen went on to take additional coursework through Buffalo State College to earn her second science certification in Earth Science for grades 7-12. Mrs. Agen’s professional career includes 13 years of teaching Living Environment, Environmental Science, Anatomy and Physiology and Earth Science and is currently teaching for Buffalo Public Schools at International Preparatory School. Mrs. Agen is an active member of the school community serving on School Based Management Team, Community Engagement Team, Safe and Civil Committee, Peer Mentoring and the district curriculum committee. Mrs. Agen is a member of STANYS and NSTA. Outside of school she enjoys spending time discovering Western New York with her husband and two children. She became a Master Teacher in 2018.

Lowell Slywester, At-Large SAR