Kate Genzale – Special Education Teacher
Education Background: After graduating from West Babylon High School on Long Island (where I grew up and just relocated from), I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education with Special Education Certification from SUNY Geneseo. I then got my Masters in Special Education from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY.
Previous Schools you have taught at: I was an inclusion TA at the high school level in Lindenhurst, NY before filling a one-year leave replacement as an elementary resource room teacher in the Syosset Central School District. I then taught Special Education for four years in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School district. I have been teaching for the last five years at Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Family: I am the oldest of four children, and now the third of my siblings to relocate to the Capital Region. I am married with an 11 year old daughter and a two year old son.
Interests outside of School: I love music and enjoy going to concerts. I spend time at Lake George in the summer, and love being outside with my kids. In the past, I have done some singing and acting, but for the last few years I have been focused on being a soccer mom.
Kelly Smith – Grade 3 Teacher (Mrs. Jubie’s Maternity Leave)
Education Background: I am originally from the midwest and graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. I then earned my B.A. in English and Political Science from Indiana University Bloomington. After a few years of working, I decided to go back to school and earned my M.S. in Childhood Education from Ithaca College.
Previous Schools you have taught at: I was a student teacher in Ithaca, NY at South Hill Elementary School and Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. Over the summer, I worked with first and second graders at George Washington Elementary School in Troy, NY. Outside of the classroom, I was a swim coach for several years and worked for Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis.
Family: I have a very tight-knit family full of former and current teachers. Most of my family lives in the midwest, so I look forward to our visits!
Interests outside of School: I love to cook, swim, practice yoga, and explore the Capital District!
Adrienna Kudrewicz – Science Teacher Grade 7 & 8
Educational Background: I attended k-12 in a small town called Newport, NY (near Utica) at West Canada Valley Central School District, SUNY ESF in Syracuse for undergrad and Union Graduate College in Schenectady for my master’s degree.
Previous schools taught at: I have taught at Schenectady High School (biology), nature specialist for the JCC of Schenectady, and have also done after school programs with k-6 in Niskayuna schools.
Family: My father is the youngest of 11 which means 30+ cousins for me on that side alone (big farming family), I have two sisters (I’m the oldest), and I have been married to my husband for just over a year.
Interests outside of school: Visiting my parents’ farm on weekends, reading, writing, basketball, soccer, softball, outdoor activities in general.