The PBIS Leadership Team is proud to announce our Mustang of the Month award recipients for the month of October. Congratulations to Nikki Catrombone, Janet Crim, and Eric Bugbee!
Our first Mustang of the Month is Nikki Catrombone, a teacher at Mount Markham Elementary School.
Ms. Catrombone is from Hampton Bays, NY, and has been part of our Mount Markham staff since 2006. Over the years she has taught grades 5, 7, 8, and Pre-K. Ms. Catrombone attended Pace University and taught at Hunt’s Point in the Bronx after graduating. After three years in the Bronx, she moved back upstate, where she taught at Head Start and The House of Good Shepherd while obtaining her master’s degree at Utica College. She has three children, Giovanni, Dominic, and Mia, who keep her busy year-round playing soccer.
Since being a part of the Mount Markham community, she feels fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people and coworkers that always give 100% to the children of this town.
“The kids are learning so much more than academics in the classroom; the teachers here are also modeling how to be a good person,” she said. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, and we are extremely lucky to live in Mount Markham.”
Ms. Catrombone feels that it is important to establish relationships with her kids, parents, and coworkers. She wants her students to enjoy coming to school and develop a love for learning.
“I hope the parents of my students feel relaxed sending them to school, knowing they are going to be safe and loved there; they are experts on their children, and I appreciate any advice they give me,” she said. “My coworkers are always there to support the students and each other.
When she’s not at work, Ms. Catrombone enjoys fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and watching football and soccer.
Our next Mustang of the Month is Janet Crim, a teacher at Mount Markham Middle School.
From Ilion, NY, Ms. Crim earned her degree from Utica College and taught one year at RFA prior to Mount Markham. Before pursuing her degree, she worked in insurance for 11 years. Ms. Crim has two supportive children and five grandchildren.
Her favorite part about being a part of the Mount Markham community is the people that she’s had the pleasure of working with, past and present students, and the friendships she’s developed over the years.
A value that Ms. Crim has and strongly believes in is having a strong work ethic and setting the bar high.
“I am always up for trying something new and love a challenge,” she said.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Our last Mustang of the Month is Eric Bugbee, a teacher at Mount Markham High School.
Mr. Bugbee is from North Brookfield, NY, and attended Waterville CSD. He then went on to attend college at SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Oswego. He resides with his wife Tara and his two daughters, Mackenzie and Alexandra.
Throughout his time at Mount Markham CSD, Mr. Bugbee has enjoyed creating relationships with business owners and community members.
“I have found the community very supportive of our agriculture and FFA programs and am grateful for the opportunity to work with all stakeholders,” he said.
Mr. Bugbee believes that his most important role in life is being a husband and father. When working with his students, the things he looks for and values most are initiative and effort.
“I’ll meet any student at their current skill level and look to challenge them upward,” he said.
Outside of work, you can find Mr. Bugbee farming, skiing, and watching his daughters at various sporting events.