Specialty Teachers
Jacob Colwell - Physical Education
Jacob Colwell graduated from Cortland with bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He completed his student teaching in Cohoes and Rensselaer and has taught and coached in a variety of afterschool and summer programs. Jake has also worked at Parsons Child and Family center in Albany as a teacher’s assistant and coach.
Nieves Gonzalez -Montejano – Spanish
Nieves Gonzalez is our artistic and creative Spanish teacher. She holds a master’s degree in Montessori Education and the equivalent of a master’s degree in geography and history with a minor in Anthropology from University of Madrid. Nieves has been teaching Spanish at WHMS since 2000. Combining a variety of projects with Spanish instruction has been a hallmark of Nieves’ teaching style. Nieves’ Spanish teaching experience includes teaching Spanish to SUNY professionals. Her field work in Anthropology was in the highlands of Chiapas in Mexico.
Dan “The Music Man” Sedia
Dan Sedia, also known as Dan the Music Man, is an important part of our WHMS faculty. Well-loved by teachers and students, the sound of Dan’s guitar and melodic voice can be heard each Friday. Dan Sedia is a music therapist and works with a variety of age groups. He has been working with young children – normally developing and special needs – for the past 15 years. His basic goal for the music program is that it can be educational and fun. Because so many children enjoy music, it inspires participation. Singing, chanting, moving, and playing instruments are foundational activities used to enhance the children’s educational program as well as a means of creative self-expression. If you have any questions or comments regarding the music program please contact Dan though the main office.
Charles Austin – Middle School Music
Charles Austin holds an associate degree in music from Schenectady County Community College. He will finish his bachelor’s degree in music Education from the College of St. Rose in 2010. Charles has been a private teacher for students in guitar, piano, bass, voice and musical theory. Charles has also written a book available to students designed to make the learning process more efficient and effective. Charles teaches Middle School music classes.
Matthew Olmstead – Elementary Music
Matthew Olmstead joins us as our Elementary Music teacher. He has toured nationally as an a cappella musician and performs with the a cappella group Fault Line. In 2007, Matthew’s group was one of the 20 finalists in America’s Got Talent. Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The College of St. Rose, and previously taught music for the Thomas O’Brien Academy for Science and Technology Schoolin the Albany City School District. Matthew is also a summer music instructor for the St. Rose Summer Academy for Youth, and an instructor for the Cady School of Music.
Annika Pfluger – Cello
Annika Pfluger holds a Master of Music degree from Boston University, and was a Fulbright grant recipient for study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary. Annika has more than 20 years of performing and teaching experience. She has taught chamber music at Harvard University Mather House, competed with the chamber ensemble “Kammerton” in the International Festival Van Flaandern competition in Bruges, Belgium and has recorded for WGBH Boston.
Cathy Schane-Lydon - Piano
Cathy Schane-Lydon holds a master’s in Education from Springfield College, Springfield, Mass. and a bachelor’s degree from Simon’s Rock College, Great Barrington, Mass. She also studied at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, and the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. Cathy is currently in her third year of a Doctoral Program, EdDCT Music Education, at Teachers College Columbia University, New York.
Marla Bracco – Violin
mbracco@woodlandhill.org
Marla Bracco has been playing the violin since the age of six when she was introduced to the Suzuki method and its philosophies. Marla graduated from the five-year BM/MM program in violin performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University. Marla studied under the renowned violinist and pedagogue, Shirley Givens. Previously, Marla taught at Waldorf School in Saratoga. Marla works with WHMS students throughout the week, both in teaching violin to individuals and as part of the WHMS Chamber Ensemble.
Janis Rink – Art
Janis Rink earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Her experiences in art education have been varied. In addition to teaching art in the elementary school she was the art director for the town of Clifton Park’s summer recreation program. Additionally, Janis spends several weekends a month teaching art to the children at Wildwood Programs in Rotterdam. Janis also taught art at St. Helen’s school in Niskayuna. During the past year she worked as an adjunct instructor for the College of Saint Rose supervising and mentoring student teachers.
Maggie Schmonsky – Reading
Maggie Schmonsky earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At Sage Graduate School, Maggie earned a Master of Science in Literacy Education. In 2004, she became a member of the International Reading Association. As a New York State Certified Elementary School Teacher with a New York State Professional Certificate in Literacy Education, Maggie has tutored students who are struggling with reading and writing in various capacities. In addition, she worked as a Technology Teacher at Saint Thomas School in Delmar with students in grades K-8.
Mary Beth Earley – Librarian
Mary Beth Earley earned her Masters in Library Science at the University at Albany in 2004. She specializes in library service to children and teens, and has served as Youth Librarian at Albany Public Library since 2005. Along with recommending great books and cataloging our collections, Mary Beth runs the WHMS Scripps Spelling Bee.
