Welcome new staff
Beginning in the 2011-12
school year, Duanesburg welcomed three new teachers. See profiles
below.
Ms.
Lisa DiBella, sixth-grade science and ELA teacher
Lisa DiBella, the new sixth-grade science and English Language Arts (ELA) teacher, comes to Duanesburg from East Greenbush Central School District where she taught seventh-grade social studies. DiBella earned her undergraduate degree from Russell Sage and her master’s degree from Sage Graduate School. She lives in Rotterdam and is an avid runner and kayaker. In her spare time she likes to do crafts, bake and cook. DiBella comes from a family of teachers and says that as far back as she can remember she has always wanted to be a teacher. Over the years DiBella has worked with children in many different capacities, such as the Boys & Girls Club and summer camps. “I’m excited to be at Duanesburg because I really like the close-knit feel I get from this district,” says DiBella. “I think I’ll really get to know each and everyone of my students very well.”
Mr.
Geoffrey Switts, Kindergarten teacher
New kindergarten teacher Geoff Switts won’t necessarily be a new face this fall. He, in fact, taught second grade last year during a long-term maternity leave. Switts studied elementary education and history at SUNY Oneonta and earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the College of Saint Rose. “I wanted to be a teacher because I love to learn new things and to share what I know with my students,” says Switts. He lives in Scotia with his wife and two children: four-year-old Owen and 18-month-old Cooper who wants a pet so badly that he’s resorted to asking for a tarantula, a dinosaur, one of Santa’s reindeers and even a robot version of any pet. When Switts isn’t busy mowing his lawn, tending to his organic garden and chasing after his kids, he likes to read and listen to music.
Mrs.
Megan Delia, MS/HS Spanish teacher
Megan Delia, the new middle/high school Spanish teacher comes to Duanesburg from Northville Central School District. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh where she graduated magna cum laude. While there, she received the North American Scholars scholarship to travel abroad in Mexico where she spent two semesters studying at La Universidad de Guadalajara. Delia lives in Broadalbin with her husband and their dog, Moxie. In her spare time she likes to play with her 4-year-old niece, travel, eat at new restaurants and work on craft and photography projects. Delia had been looking to teach in a district that offers a quality education to students: “After meeting some of the staff and students, Duanesburg really felt like the place to plant my feet!”s