The PBIS Leadership Team is proud to announce our Mustang of the Month award recipients for February. Congratulations to Michele Stephan, Sandra Roberts, and Cathy Gates.
Our first Mustang of the Month for February is Michele Stephan, a diligent staff member in the elementary school, and MMCSD alum. After graduating from Mount Markham in 1991, Stephan attended Mohawk Valley Community College and eventually found herself back at her alma mater working alongside staff that she attended school with. “I love working at the same school I graduated from! I am very fortunate to have a close connection with students' families. This is where I’ve always called home.” She believes a good work ethic and a great sense of humor go a long way. “If something needs to be done, do it!” Receiving Mustang of the Month is a direct result of this drive and dedication. In her free time, Stephan enjoys spending time at Brantingham Lake with her husband, Chris, their three daughters, Alivia, Delaney, and Wynne, and their dog, George. She also loves attending concerts and visiting Walt Disney World.
Sandra Roberts, a hard-working educator at the middle school is our next Mustang of the Month. This is Roberts’ 20th year teaching, and her second at Mount Markham. After teaching at Brookfield for 17 years and Madison for 1 year, she has found a home at Mount Markham Middle School. When she isn’t in the classroom, she is on her family’s apple orchard in Leonardsville. She also enjoys camping with her husband, Wes, and their two sons Lucas and Simon.
Our final recipient of Mustang of the Month is high school teacher, Cathy Gates. After a 15-year career in accounting, she decided to return to college to get her master’s degree and start a new chapter in education. Prior to teaching at Mount Markham, Gates was working in the Brookfield district, but she remained a part of the Mount Markham community while her daughters attended and graduated from the district. “There were so many wonderful teachers in this district that I interacted with throughout their time as Mount Markham students,” and these connections eventually led Gates to transition to Mount Markham. Although she was hesitant to leave Brookfield, the faculty and staff at Mount Markham made her feel “at home right from the beginning.”
The passion for teaching runs in Gates’ family. “I am from a large family that grew up in Sauquoit. My father was a science teacher there, and I guess that’s where my motivation to teach came from.” But the enthusiasm for education didn’t stop with Gates. Her two daughters, Alexandra and Katelyn are now both teaching at another local district. Gates dedicated not only to the classroom but to supporting her students as well. “As a teacher, I believe that we’re here for the kids and each other. If we can all try to stay positive and support each other, it will make us all better people.” When she’s not at school, Cathy Gates prioritizes spending time with her family. Whether it's hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, they do a lot of traveling and outdoor activities together. She also enjoys cooking, crocheting, and watching sports in her downtime.
To nominate one of our outstanding employees for a future Mustang of the Month award, please submit their name here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdV_n4GjyuGjdiQq3oPmToGTALwt71n44Aq4Z8tJA8-K0VAwA/viewform