David Doak

Mr. David Doak began his teaching career at Glen-Worden Elementary School in 1974. He has continued to serve the students of Scotia-Glenville for 34 1/2 years. He spent the majority of his career teaching fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary School.

Mr. Doak has been instrumental in the lives of his students. He has held them accountable for their actions in a firm manner. He has prepared them for what lies ahead both academically and in the real world. They know he means business, for their own good, and they respect him for it.

During his career, Dave has coached Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field at the JV, Freshman, and Modified levels. In the Scotia-Glenville Teachers’ Association, he has held the positions of building representative, elementary grievance chairman, Sick Leave Bank Trustee, and negotiations team member. At Lincoln, he has taught the Summer Reading Program, directed the Saturday Morning Program, founded Lincoln Field Day, and coached intramural bowling and basketball. For many years, he held annual pizza sales to provide holiday food baskets for needy school families. In addition, he organized and planned the Lincoln outdoor education trip to Camp Chingachgook on an annual basis.

Mr. Doak has had a variety of teammates over the years and has worked well with all of them. He has contributed to the development of a strong fifth grade program at Lincoln. He has communicated with parents regularly so that there are no surprises regarding their children. He has received notes of praise over the years from parents -- some of which were shared not by Mr. Doak but by his teammate.

Thank you for the difference you have made in the lives of so many children in Scotia-Glenville. You will be missed at Lincoln School.

Good luck to you in retirement as you and your wife embark on the next phase of your life.

John George

Mr. John George has been a member of the Scotia-Glenville teaching staff for 36 years. While he began his career at Mohawk School, John has spent most of his years teaching at Glendaal with 5^th and 6^th grade students.

Throughout his 36 years, John has provided many students with valuable, exciting and memorable learning experiences. He is our local science expert at Glendaal. He has a passion for teaching science and has created very memorable lessons and projects such as the well known “bug collections” and the classroom size model of the digestive system. He also enjoys teaching students about the weather and shares many historical weather events that have impacted our area over the years. John has set high expectations for his students and has sent them prepared for success at the Middle School. You will often hear John discussing the importance of good character with his students and how maintaining good character will assist them in achieving success in school and in life.

He has been involved in many activities outside of the classroom, including school store advisor, member of the district science committee, coordinator of outdoor education programs, and coordinator of the Italian student exchange program. He has been the building representative for the Teacher’s Association for many years. As one of the district’s veteran staff members, John has been a cooperating teacher for many student teachers and has shared his expertise and keys to success with many young professionals entering the field of education.

As John approaches retirement, he has a wealth of things that will keep him very busy. He loves quiet time to read history books, hiking, gardening, traveling and plans to be on the ski patrol at Jiminy Peak. He will, of course, continue his tradition of selling Christmas trees in the community, which has become a real joy for him and his family during the holidays. He will also be able to spend the extra time with his family which now includes two grandchildren.

But as they say, "Once a teacher always a teacher." There is no doubt that John will continue to touch the lives of many in his retirement as he has done with many of our students over 36 years. Good luck to you and your family, John. Everyone will miss you at Glendaal, but we know that the next phase of your life is an exciting adventure you have been waiting to begin.

Deborah Roedel

Mrs. Debby Roedel has been a dedicated teacher in Scotia-Glenville for the past 34 years. She began her teaching career at Mohawk School; and when that school closed – she went on to teach at Glen-Worden and Sacandaga, and then spent the bulk of her career at Lincoln Elementary School.

Mrs. Roedel has enriched the lives of her students throughout her career. They have enjoyed her dedication, sense of humor, and her commitment to them as individual children. Her students have flourished within her classroom.

During her time at Scotia-Glenville, Debby has served on both building and district level committees -- the PTA, SGTA and has taught the summer reading program. Mrs. Roedel was Chairperson of the closing of Mohawk School activities and the building of the Lincoln Playground. She was so very grateful to travel to Washington D.C. to represent Lincoln School in accepting the Excellence in Education Award. She has been a “cheerleader” and friend to all.

Mrs. Roedel has enriched the lives of hundreds of children throughout the years. She has also touched the lives of her many parents and colleagues. As Debby told us in the fall, she wants to go out “at the top of her game.” We respect her for this decision, but we will miss her dearly. Although she will not be substituting, she has offered to come back at any time we need her.

We thank you, Debby, for the difference you have made in the lives of so very many individuals.

We wish you the very best as you continue with the next chapter in your life. Best wishes to Robb in college and enjoy retirement with your husband Ron. Congratulations, Debby!

Louis Schiavone

A graduate of Vincentian Institute and SUNY Albany, Lou Schiavone began his teaching career at Scotia-Glenville in 1975. After a brief stint at Niskayuna, Lou returned to Scotia in 1977 and remained a social studies teacher in our district for another 32 years. He has taught every level and social studies subject in grades seven to eleven, and has even recently taught Economics to seniors. Lou may perhaps be best known for the creation and the implementation of our district’s eleventh grade Advanced Placement U.S. History program, which he started in 1995. In 2005, he started a distance learning course on American history through movies and music -- tapping into his vast knowledge of music and pop culture.

Lou has also been a busy man outside the classroom. There are few initiatives in which he has not participated. From 1986 to 1989, Lou served as Dean of Students at what was then the junior high. He presently runs the high school’s Current Events League and serves on the Shared-Decision Making Committee, as well as the ninth grade transition team and the Student Discipline Code Committee. On top of all this, Lou is the principal faculty advisor for the Student Senate in the high school.

Lou Schiavone has made it a point to give back to the profession and the community. He regularly writes a column for the Capital District Council for the Social Studies newsletter, and this year was recognized as Outstanding New York State Social Studies Teacher of the Year—a crowning achievement to an exemplary career. Lou even found time to serve on the Duanesburg Central Schools’ Board of Education, and has mentored numerous interns through Union Graduate College’s MAT program.

Throughout his career, Lou Schiavone has remained an inspiration and role model to all those around him. His untiring work ethic and professional commitment is only rivaled by his big heart. He is a loving husband and an adored father -- never missing out on his kids’ lives despite his extensive obligations. Lou is a natural and gifted musician, taking part in many school talent shows and exhibitions. We know that he is a man who will stay very active as he retires -- continuing to nurture his family, contribute to teaching, play great music, and still root for the New York Yankees!

Congratulations, Lou, and we wish you the best in the coming years!