Mark Tugaw: 2023 Teacher of the Year Spotlight

Published in the Eagle News Online at: https://eaglenewsonline.com/new/schools/2023/12/04/mark-tugaw-named-cazenovias-teacher-of-the-year/

Seventh-grade social studies teacher Mark Tugaw was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD).

According to CCSD Superintendent Chris DiFulvio, the district solicits nominations for the award each year from its teachers, and past award recipients vote on the winner.

“Mark is one of the strongest relationship builders I know,” said DiFulvio. “He works closely with students to get to know them and demonstrates genuine interest in his students. I believe it is Mark’s ability to relate to anyone that has made him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.”

Tugaw has been teaching at Cazenovia Middle School (CMS) since September 2000.

He graduated from Liverpool High School in 1990 and attended Onondaga Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh.

Tugaw earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice and sociology with the goal of someday working for the Drug Enforcement Administration or as a police officer.

The summer before his senior year of college, however, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that severely injured his left leg and forced him to reroute his career path.

In an interview, Tugaw credited his eldest brother, Curt, who was a special education teacher, for helping to shape his desire to teach, and his brother Shawn, a retired police officer, for inspiring his desire to serve the public.

“My mother taught us about love and relationships, and my father taught us about life and the importance of a strong work ethic,” he said. “. . . I’ve always had a passion for working with teenagers and a desire to work with challenging kids. Early in my career, I volunteered for a year in an alternative education program at North Syracuse Junior High and worked with several ‘at-risk’ students. That experience solidified my desire to work with teenagers during what is a tough time for many.”

Tugaw received his graduate degree in secondary education (social studies) from LeMoyne College and completed his student teaching work at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and Lincoln Middle School in the Syracuse City School District.

His first official teaching job was at CCSD.

At the time he was hired, he was working in asset management for the Carrier Corporation.

Hoping to substitute teach one day a week while working at Carrier, Tugaw attended a substitute teacher recruitment evening at Cazenovia High School.

“I guess I was in the right place at the right time, as the previous 7th-grade teacher had resigned that day, and school was starting in two weeks,” Tugaw recounted in the questionnaire. “I interviewed with Chuck Read that evening and with Dr. Jean Regan the following morning. Thus began my teaching career at Cazenovia Middle School.”

Tugaw joined the CCSD faculty around the same time as Joe Schettine, Wendy Everard, Karyn Scanlon, Christie Brenneck, Kristen Reichert, Joy Springs, Julia Bliss, Becky Miller, Mary Coburn, Todd Macreery, Jeff Bobbett, Eric Nieman, Jenny Bailey, Beth Ryan, and Donna Snyder.

According to Tugaw, one of the most significant changes in his profession over the past 20-plus years has been the role of technology in education.

He specifically pointed to the use of Chromebooks in classrooms, which he noted presents both opportunities and challenges.

“I pride myself in being ‘old school’ and will always favor books over screen time,” he said in the questionnaire. “That said, students having the internet at their fingertips can be a powerful educational tool.”

When asked in the questionnaire about his legacy, Tugaw responded that he hopes he is remembered as a firm but fair teacher.

“I find myself often saying, ‘Have fun, but get it done,’” he added.

He also expressed that he hopes his love of teaching shined through in class every day.

“Mark has an outstanding ability to form positive and meaningful relationships with students, creating a supportive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom,” said Cazenovia Middle School Principal Amy Getman-Herringshaw. “Not only is he a teacher in our district, but he also dedicates a tremendous amount of time to coaching. Additionally, his commitment to building a sense of community within the 7th-grade cohort has had a profound influence, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere that enhances the overall educational experience for students.”

Tugaw has been coaching Varsity Boys Outdoor Track and Field since 2008 and Varsity Boys Indoor Track and Field since 2022. He also coached modified football from 2002 to 2013.

He described coaching as a wonderful extension of the classroom, remarking that he has enjoyed seeing the young men on his teams grow from adolescents into young adults, and he feels privileged to have worked with some special athletes and fine young men throughout the years.

Tugaw has also been active in the CMS Mentoring Program, and he remains in contact with many of the individuals he worked with during their teenage years.

Additionally, he is a strong advocate for the Cazenovia United Educators, the local teacher’s union.

“My role as a middle school building representative means I serve the middle school teachers in any capacity needed,” he said. “This can range from welcoming new faculty to working alongside district administration to help our teachers better serve our student community.”

Outside of school, Tugaw’s personal interests include traveling; fishing; football; visiting his cabin on Cayuga Lake; and spending time with his three kids and his girlfriend, Amy Conley, who is a recently retired 5th-grade teacher at CMS.

“Life threw me a curveball [with my motorcycle accident], and I had to adjust my path,” Tugaw said in the questionnaire. “Looking back, I am very happy things worked out the way they did. I continue to have a rewarding career, have worked with the best of the best, and have been fortunate enough to help a few kids along the way. . . . I’d like to give special thanks to Walt Stroud, Jean Regan, Amy Conley, Pat Mouton, Dick Lombardo, and my parents for helping to guide me throughout my career and for their unwavering support.”

Tugaw was presented his award during CCSD’s first staff development day in September. He was accompanied by family and friends who wore matching shirts that were custom-made by Conley’s daughter Mary Kate. While accepting his award, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to all of the people who've supported and inpired him along the way. In addition, he expressed special thanks to Walt Stroud, Jean Regan, Amy Conley, Pat Mouton, Dick Lombardo, and his parents for helping to guide him throughout his career and for their unwavering support.

He said receiving the award was “completely surreal and totally unexpected.”

“I was honored to be nominated and was thrilled that my family and loved ones joined me on stage,” he added. “Honestly, it was pretty emotional, and I found myself at a rare loss for words.”

Mark's full interview:

Why did you choose a career in education? The summer before my senior year of college I was involved in a motorcycle accident that severely injured my left leg. Not being able to walk at the time forced a complete career change from my dream of working for the DEA or as a police officer.
 
I’ve always had a passion for working with teenagers and a desire to work with challenging kids. Early in my career, I volunteered for a year in an alternative education program at North Syracuse Junior High, and worked with several “at risk” students. That experience solidified my desire to work with teenagers during what is a tough time for many.
 
Did your family or another person impact your decision to become an educator?
My oldest brother, Curt, was a special education teacher and helped shape my desire to teach. My brother, Shawn, is a retired police officer and inspired me to serve the public. My mother taught us about love and relationships, and my father taught us about life, and the importance of a strong work ethic.
 
Where was your first teaching position?  What did you teach?  Did you work elsewhere before being hired as an employee at Cazenovia?  
My first official teaching job was here in Cazenovia. At the time of my hire, I was working in asset management for the Carrier Corporation (CSC). I attended a substitute teacher recruitment evening at Cazenovia High School, as I was hoping to substitute teach one day a week, while working at Carrier. I guess I was in the right place at the right time, as the previous 7th grade teacher had resigned that day, and school was starting in two weeks. I interviewed with Chuck Read that evening, and with Dr. Jean Regan the following morning. Thus began my teaching career at Cazenovia Middle School.
 
When did you start teaching/working at Cazenovia?
September 2000. 
 
Have you always been in education or did you start out doing something else?
Like most high school and college aged kids, I worked many different jobs when I was younger. I was fortunate to work in several great restaurants, stocked department store shelves, loaded and unloaded trucks, worked in a snowmobile track factory, and ran a tavern in Plattsburgh. 
 
My first career was in loss prevention and asset management (Lechmere Inc/Carrier Corp).
 
When you started working at Cazenovia, who were some of the current CCSD teachers that also started around the same time you did? 
 
Joe Schettine, Wendy Everard, Karyn Scanlon, Christie Brenneck, Kristen Reichert, Joy Springs, Julia Bliss, Becky Miller, Mary Coburn, Todd Macreery, Jeff Bobbett, Eric Nieman, Jenny Bailey, Beth Ryan, and Donna Snyder.
 
Please describe five moments as a teacher that you will never forget. Why?
 
      1.     I will never forget my very first year in Cazenovia. Wes Cable and I shared the
              teaching of a very large and academically diverse group of preteens. I did my
              very best to stay ahead of some extremely intelligent and extremely spirited 7th
              graders. Billy Cable, Chris Creswell, Kathlin Ramsdell, David Etter, Rocio
              Fernandez, Henry Reeves, Taylor Coe and Matt Henkel immediately come to
              mind. There were many more who kept me on my toes, while motivating me to
              learn and grow.
 
      2.    Coaching modified football alongside the Cazenovia football staff at the
             beginning of my career, especially Tim Ahern. I learned so much about the
             importance of leading young men during this time. Coach Ahern, Coach Neidl,
             Coach Steinhorst, Coach Stoecker, Coach Fontana, Coach Evans, Coach Morrow,
             Coach Haaf, and Coach Murphy all impacted my life in positive, meaningful
             ways that have stayed with me through the years. From each one, I learned much
             about football, as well as invaluable lessons about life.
     
     3.    Mentoring several 5th, 6th, and 7th grade boys during their time at the middle
            school. The middle school Mentoring Program had a profound impact on me 
            and my life as a teacher. I am still in contact with many of these young men 
            with whom I was fortunate enough to work with during their teen years. I’ve
            watched them grow into men, husbands, fathers, and professionals.
 
     4.    Sadly, I have attended calling hours and funerals for many former colleagues and
            students. Loss of people is always very difficult, yet it serves a tremendous
            reminder of what a special community Cazenovia is, both in which to work and 
            live. The outpouring of love for former teachers and students has always affected
            me deeply.
 
     5.    Laughing with my students on a daily basis. Not a day goes by without something
            hilarious happening. I’ve been told by colleagues that I think and act like a
            twelve-year old, so I guess middle school is the right fit for me.
 
What have been the biggest changes in the profession during your career?
Technology in education has always moved at a pace I’m not always ready for. The wide range use of chromebooks in classrooms presents wonderful opportunities, but also immense challenges. I pride myself in being “old school” and will always favor books over screen time. That said, students having the internet at their fingertips can be a powerful educational tool.
 
What would you hope your teaching legacy might be?
I’d like to be remembered as a teacher who was firm, but fair. I find myself often saying, “Have fun, but get it done.” I love what I do, and I hope my students see that every day.
 
Please describe your family.
I have two sons, Matthew and David, in high school, and a daughter, Noelle, in middle school. They are each unique in their own ways. I’m incredibly proud of who they are becoming, and especially proud of the quality of their character. Both their parents work at the schools they attend, and two out of three have been lucky enough to have my girlfriend, Amy Conley,  teach them as well.
 
If you never became an educator, what career might you have had? Why?
As stated earlier, I worked toward a career in law enforcement but a motorcycle accident made that dream impossible. Life threw me a curveball, and I had to adjust my path. Looking back, I am very happy things worked out the way they did. I continue to have a rewarding career, have worked with the best of the best, and have been fortunate enough to help a few kids along the way.
 
Outside of teaching, what are your other interests/hobbies?
I love traveling, spending time with Amy and my kids, fishing, and all things football.
My cabin on Cayuga Lake is where my heart is. Spending time with my extended family and friends is always near and dear to me.
 
Anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to give special thanks to Walt Stroud, Jean Regan, Amy Conley, Pat Mouton, Dick Lombardo, and my parents for helping to guide me throughout my career and for their unwavering support.