Robin Sobol Transition Academy Student Dasean McGriffin earns Teammate of the Month at Market 32

McGriffin first began volunteering at Market 32 through RSTA and The ARC Mid-Hudson, where he learned workplace skills such as using coupons and counting money.

He later decided that he wanted to get a job to earn money and figure out his plans for after graduating from RSTA in 2027. Through the school’s Work-Based Learning program, McGriffin has gained hands-on experience at several job sites, including Market 32, Mazzone’s Hospitality, The Recovery Room, and The Eddy Senior Living, preparing him to be hired at Market 32 with no job supports.

He was surprised to learn that he was named Teammate of the Month at his job back in the fall.

“It was so surprising to me,” he said. “Every single day, people check in to make sure I’m doing okay, and they told me I’m doing very well, building good relationships, and that they’re happy to see me every day.”

He feels good about the work he is doing and continues to learning every day.

“We learned how to stock shelves correctly, and also how to provide customer support and bag groceries,” McGriffin said. “I feel really confident about it. I actually know what I’m doing, and when no one’s around, I stand by and help others.”

When asked about his favorite part of the job, McGriffin said, “Basically everything. It’s mostly what I did when I volunteered at all these places.”

Through his experiences, McGriffin says he’s learned the importance of communication and helping others.

“I learned how to really chat with people and help them when they need it,” he noted.

McGriffin’s recognition as Teammate of the Month highlights how Work-Based Learning at RSTA is preparing students with the confidence, skills, and independence they need to succeed beyond the classroom.

George Washington School students celebrate Read Across America with a fun, interactive Dr. Seuss weeklong celebration

Each year, schools across the country celebrate Read Across America Week, an event organized by the National Education Association (NEA) to encourage reading and highlight the importance of literacy. Often aligned with Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 2), schools, libraries, and families are encouraged to find creative ways to inspire children to read, fostering a love for books and the stories that they hold.

One of the many activities included a Cat in the Hat snack, made with a marshmallow, strawberries & banana slices.

George Washington School held a week long celebration, complete with a Dr. Seuss themed spirit week. Students were encouraged to dress like their favorite characters from his classic stories and enjoyed themed crafts and snacks, a book fair, and LOTS of reading! While reading is a staple of learning all year long, students had a great time celebrating their love of reading and the literary classics of Dr. Seuss.

Essence Johnson enjoys playing the guitar at Sackett Educational Center.

When it comes to determination and drive, Essence Johnson from Sackett Educational Center wastes no time gaining as much life and career experience as possible. From career prep programs to interning with the state and volunteering, Essence has immersed herself in opportunities to gain life, education, and career skills to take with her.

Essence took her first step into the professional world this summer by interning with the New York State Offices of the Inspector General. She supported fraud investigations, searched for files, and managed and organized outdated equipment, proving her ability to tackle challenges in a real-world setting. Before being accepted into their program, she had to apply for the internship and be interviewed. When asked what she gained from the experience, Essence said it helped prepare her for future opportunities.

Meet the talented law fellow and operations intern from our Albany office!

They join us from @AlbanyLaw and the John E. Sackett Educational Center.

Our interns bring fresh perspectives & enthusiasm to our team & we’re thrilled to have such a dynamic cohort on board this summer! pic.twitter.com/lHotz0J8Ld

— NYS Inspector General (@NewYorkStateIG) July 30, 2024

“I feel like I will be more prepared for my next internship,” said Essence. “I think I will be less nervous, and I could be good (at working) in an office.”

In addition to her internship, Essence expanded her professional skills through “Ready. Set. Goal!”, a youth program run by the City of Albany’s Office of Audit and Control. Through workshops, field trips, and networking with local business leaders, young adults are engaged in an environment that encourages career exploration and skills building. They covered topics including college prep, professional etiquette, money management, career readiness, and entrepreneurship.

But Essence has been involved in programs to hone in on these types of skills well before last summer. Essence has been a member of the United States Naval Sea Cadets Corp (Sea Cadets) for several years . This youth development program gives young people the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive through training opportunities. They work in teams in a disciplined environment and follow the Sea Cadets’ core values.

Photos provided by Roni Minter.

“It’s kind of like Navy training, but for younger people,” shared Essence. “We obviously don’t go out on missions, but we learn a lot of their skills, like swimming, physical activities, and working as a team.”

Essence credits this training to have helped her with her first Spartan race, an obstacle course style race that you participate in as a group. Not only did it help with the physical aspect, but she understood the importance of cheering on and supporting her teammates.

The skills Essence has honed through her internships and community programs have shaped her into a leader at Sackett Educational Center. A member of the school’s Student Council, Essence recently advocated on behalf of her classmates for new lunch groups, allowing students to eat with their friends.

“I am incredibly proud of Essence,” said Sackett Educational Center Principal Karen Brockley. “She is a leader at Sackett and in the community. It is impressive to see what she can accomplish and prove to herself, her family, and her classmates. Essence is a role model and asset to our school and every program she’s involved in.”

With all her accomplishments, Essence continues to explore new passions. She recently took up guitar at school and is active in additional activities outside of school, including jiu jitsu and advocating for civic engagement, most recently encouraging people to vote in the recent election. Essence is a leader in her community, and we’re excited to see what she’ll achieve next!

Questar III BOCES is pleased to announce Katie Castle as the new principal at George Washington School in Troy, NY.

“I am thrilled to join the Questar III BOCES and George Washington School teams,” shared Katie Castle. “I look forward to connecting with students while working alongside the staff and families, celebrating our achievements.”

Castle comes to us from the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District where she served as the Director of Special Education for nearly ten years. In this role, Castle collaborated with teachers, support staff, and other administrators to provide support for over 250 students.

“We are excited to welcome Katie to our special education team,” shared Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz. “Her dedication and experience in supporting diverse learners will be an invaluable asset to our students and staff. We are confident Katie’s leadership will ensure our special education programs continue to thrive and grow.”

Castle began her special education career as both a middle and high school special education teacher and CSE Chairperson for the residential treatment facility at Saint Anne Institute and also worked as a middle school special education teacher for Capital Region BOCES.