WNY Tech Academy

A program at the WNY Tech Academy, housed in Byron-Bergen High School, is called Einstein Days, but the relative focus of the program isn't on mass and energy. It's on how to get ahead in the business world.

"Many of our pathways have a business focus," said Catherine Bennett, principal of the academy. "Among our pathways are marketing and social media, accounting, and entrepreneurship. One of the things that we like to do here is, we like students to participate in developing the skills that they're learning in those pathways. This is a kind of marketing and social media twist, but they're all participating no matter what their pathway."

Einstein Days are held twice a month at the school, and today's program asked students to work in teams to develop a sales pitch to a group of judges on a plan to best market the tech academy to students in area schools.

The students have to come up with a plan, build a visual presentation, and select speakers to make the pitch.  A professor from Genesee Community College coached them on public speaking.

"They researched everything there is that was available to them about the Tech Academy, their own experiences about how they were recruited," Bennett said. "Every team formulated a different idea."

The team in the photos is comprised of Dave Tetrault from Cal-Mum, Kendra Sanders from Batavia, Cameron Caroccio from Geneseo, Benjamin Taromind from Avon, and Jeremiah Cicatelli from Byron-Bergen.

"What I want them to get out of this is developing skills, confidence, public speaking, teamwork, collaboration, all the things that will make them valuable workers," said Bennett.

Article based on press release submitted by BOCES.

Area students will participate in a two-day business pitch competition at the WNY Tech Academy in Bergen at the end of the month.

Five teams from local schools will participate in the "March Madness Einstein Days" competition.  

After two days of preparation, including research, planning, developing strategies, and developing their pitch, they will have eight minutes to sway judges that they have the best pitch and best technology-based business idea.

This event taps skills in public speaking, marketing and social media, and entrepreneurship, according to organizers.

"Einstein days are important for our program and students because they offer a full day for students to immerse themselves in team building, STEM activities and exposure to Work Based Learning opportunities," said Catherine Bennett, principal of the academy. "These three areas are a major focus of our school culture.  Einstein Days are offered one to two times per month for full days so we can devote our efforts in fostering the importance of that work.  It provides students with project-based STEM experiences, exposure to our business and industry partners and the career pathways they offer.  And each Einstein Day has an element of fun, collaboration and team play, so students bond as a tight school community."

The event is a hit with students.

"Einstein day isn’t just a normal day at Tech Academy," said one of the students involved, David Tetreault, a senior at Caledonia-Mumford High School. "It builds us young adults to communicate, value team bonding, and, most importantly, leading by example. These days make us prepare for proper management, communication and how to be amazing workers. I couldn’t even imagine a better way to do this. Taking one day out of the month to bring everyone together and put it into a fun-filled, learning environment is the most important and perfect way to do it."

On Einstein Day, regularly scheduled classes are on hold, and students participate in a variety of different lessons that range from career development to STEM to team building.  Through collaboration across courses and grade levels, students develop skills such as effective communication, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.

"What do students get out of this event? Well, students will tell you they get a fun day off from classes," Lindsay Warner, a teacher at the academy. "What they really are getting is workplace readiness skills. Our students engage in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. They have to develop communication skills, collaboration, leadership, and social skills to work effectively as a group.  They have to think, be innovative, show confidence, and even a little competitiveness. These are all traits that employers in any industry would look for in potential new hires. You can train for technical skills. The ability to resolve conflict, work effectively with others, take direction, show initiative... those things aren't as easy to develop on the job,” explained Teacher Lindsay Warner.

The Western New York Tech Academy is an Early College High School (P-TECH) that serves 13 regional school districts in the region. The school offers a curriculum that emphasizes college-level coursework and unique learning opportunities to prepare students for high-skill, financially stable careers in growth industries. Students attending the academy can complete all necessary coursework for a high school diploma and also earn an Associate of Applied Science degree through Genesee Community College. 

While teams are presenting their pitch to the judges, the remaining teams will be participating in a March Madness competition, which consists of various games, puzzles, and problem-solving exercises throughout the academy wing at Byron-Bergen High School, earning points to supplement their pitch scores. 

Press release:

Are you a student who learns math and science best through projects and collaboration with peers?

The Western New York (WNY) P-Tech Academy provides students with a Regents diploma, a college degree and a career path - all in one program. Trade the traditional classroom for a new way to prepare for your future.
 

• Engage in a project-based learning environment and have fun while you’re learning
• Earn your high school credits while earning up to 27 college credits before even graduating from high school
• Meet business mentors and experience real-world employment experiences
• Earn an A.A.S. degree from Genesee Community College – FREE

The WNY P-Tech Academy is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), supporting students in grades 9-14. This Genesee Valley (GV BOCES) program serves 13 regional school districts through a curriculum that places a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning to prepare students for high-skill, financially stable careers in growth industries.  Students attending the WNY P-Tech Academy complete all necessary coursework for a New York State Regents Diploma as well as earn an Associate of Applied Science degree through Genesee Community College at no cost. Enrollment in this program is a six-year commitment for students and their school districts.

Students in this program choose Career and Degree Pathways. Each track is a gateway to profitable and fulfilling careers that are in demand by local industries. The pathways include Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Entrepreneurship and Marketing and Social Media. 

Come learn about the many opportunities this unique learning opportunity can provide!

An Open House is set for Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 6-7:30 p.m. The WNY P-Tech Academy is located behind the tennis courts at Byron-Bergen High School, 6917 West Bergen Road, Bergen, NY 14416.

To find out more about the WNY P-Tech Academy, please contact:

Catherine Bennett
Principal
585-494-1220 ext. 3137
cbennett@gvboces.org

Above, WNY Tech Academy Grads Thurs./Fri. (from left): Cameron Durfee, Trevor Pahl and Nathan Geise. 

Submitted photos and press release:

The Western New York (WNY) Tech Academy celebrated its seniors on June 1 and June 4 with a recognition ceremony.  

Eight of the nine students from six area school districts will continue their studies at Genesee Community College and one student has enlisted in the Marine Corp.

During the ceremony, Lindsay Warner, WNY Work-Based Learning coordinator and Business teacher, spoke about these students’ achievements, future plans, as well as, some of their advice to underclass mates.

Here's the list of 2021 seniors who completed WNY Tech Academy studies:

Brett Bogardus, Perry CS

Dante Brent, Attica CS

Everett Claud, Perry CS

Cameron Durfee, Attica CS

Nathan Geise, Warsaw CS

Holly Grisewood, Perry CS

Devon Heick, Byron-Bergen CS

Trevor Pahl, Pavilion CS

Carl Stachura (not pictured), Batavia CS

The WNY Tech Academy is a Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Early College High School supporting students in grades 9-14. This school serves 13 regional school districts through a curriculum that places a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning to prepare students for high-skill, financially stable careers in growth industries.  

Students attending the WNY Tech Academy complete all necessary coursework for a New York State Regents Diploma as well as earn an Associate of Applied Science degree through Genesee Community College at no cost.

The Genesee Community College (GCC) Accelerated College Enrollment Program (ACE) is a partnership between GCC and Western New York high schools to provide college courses to secondary students during the school day. These programs offer accelerated high school students the opportunity to enroll in college level courses and to earn college credits from GCC while still in high school. 

Below, WNY Tech Academy grads Mon/Tue (from left): Brett Bogardus, Holly Grisewood, Everett Claud, Devon Heick and Dante Brent. 

Submitted photo and press release:

Some life choices are difficult and some are simple. For eight students who attend the Western New York (WNY) Tech Academy, their choices are leading them in the next step toward their career goals.

On Jan. 26 and 28, these eight WNY Tech Academy 11^th-grade students selected their college pathway in which they wish to concentrate on: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Media, and Supply Chain Management.

Due to a hybrid schedule, the event was held over the course of two days with two students joining remotely.

“Each student completed a number of self-interest surveys and personality quizzes to learn more about themselves and how they like to work," said Lindsay Warner, the WNY Tech Academy Work-based learning coordinator and a Business teacher. 

"Although the pandemic has prevented us from exploring careers on site this year, this group has prepared for the essential steps in securing a job by developing resumes and cover letters. Each student applied and completed a mock interview with the help of HR professionals, program mentors, and longtime supporters Rebecca McGee of Liberty Pumps and Michelle Hoffman of Bonduelle.”

Joe Englebert, interim principal of the WNY Tech Academy, noted how these students have advanced their skills and are ready to move to the next step in their academic track.

“These eight students are ready to advance their academic career with the selection of their college pathway," Englebert said. "I am confident that each of these students will be a success as they pursue their college degree."

The WNY Tech Academy is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), supporting students grades 9-14. This school serves 13 regional school districts through a curriculum that places a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning to prepare students for high-skill, financially stable careers in growth industries.

Students attending the WNY Tech Academy will complete all necessary coursework for a New York State Regents Diploma as well as earn an Associate of Applied Science degree through Genesee Community College at no cost.

The Genesee Community College (GCC) Accelerated College Enrollment Program (ACE) is a partnership between GCC and Western New York high schools to provide college courses to secondary students during the school day. These programs offer accelerated high school students the opportunity to enroll in college level courses and to earn college credits from GCC while still in high school. 

“After about two years of learning about the degree programs offered through WNY Tech Academy and GCC, the students are now making the commitment to one program and what we hope will be a very successful career," said Ed Levinstein, GCC ACE programs associate dean.

"This is a huge step for anyone to take, especially for an 11^th-grader. Once they finish 12^th grade at WNY Tech Academy, these students will take the rest of their courses at GCC. With the help of the WNY Tech Academy administration, the ACE Programs staff and several dedicated faculty advisors, students will complete their degree and be ready for work.

"GCC’s role in this is to provide whatever support we can to WNY Tech Academy and each student including tutoring, advising and encouragement. We are proud to be part of this program that has already graduated several students who are now working in their chosen field or furthering their studies.”

Preston Bell is an 11^th-grader from Dansville Central School who is enrolled in this program.

“When I learned about the WNY Tech Academy from my home school, I thought this would be a good opportunity for me," Preston said. "I plan to finish my college degree and then enter the military."

The WNY Tech Academy is a program of Genesee Valley BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services).

The academy students and their home schools are: 

• Preston Bell (Dansville)
• Isabelle Bradshaw (Avon)
• Jesse Churchill (Caledonia-Mumford)
• AJ Galligan (Warsaw)
• Koi Hennig (Dansville)
• Mackenzie Jacobs (Dansville)
• Erik Schwab (Le Roy) and
• Emma Will (Byron-Bergen)

Photo, from left, WNY Tech Academy 11^th-graders: Preston Bell, Mackenzie Jacobs, Isabelle Bradshaw and Erik Schwab.

Submitted photo and information from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership:

Decision Day was held Friday at the Western New York Tech Academy. It is similar to a college signing day.

A total of 10 WNY Tech Academy students were honored for officially declaring the pathways they will pursue as they complete their free applied associate degrees through Genesee Community College.

The students could choose to study Accounting, Food Processing Technology, or Supply Chain Management.

Staff, administrators, business partners and parents attended Decision Day.

The high school juniors who participated are named below, along with their high school and declared paths of study. They are in the top photo.

• Brett Bogardus, of Perry -- Accounting
• Dante Brent, of Attica -- Accounting
• Cameron Durfee, of Attica -- Supply Chain Management
• Nathan Geise, of Warsaw -- Accounting
• Holly Grisewood, of Perry -- Accounting
• Devon Heick, of Byron-Bergen -- Food Processing Technology
• Trevor Pahl, of Pavilion -- Food Processing Technology
• Veronica Shepherd, of Le Roy -- Accounting
• Carl Stachura, Batavia -- Accounting

(Everett Claud, of Perry, is not pictured. He will study Supply Chain Management.)

In addition, the Tech Academy also recognized 12 seniors in Friday's program:

• Collin Aquina, of Oakfield-Alabama -- Supply Chain Management);
• Gabriel Bucknam, of Perry -- Food Processing Technology;
• Stephanie Dibble, of Batavia -- Supply Chain Management;
• Zachary Evert, of Attica -- Supply Chain Management;
• Abigail Hackett, of Pavilion -- Supply Chain Management);
• Evan Harter, of Byron-Bergen -- Accounting;
• Peyton Heesch, of Caledonia-Mumford -- Supply Chain Management;
• Dylan Kipfer, of Attica -- Supply Chain Management;
• Cole Lowery, of Pavilion -- Food Processing Technology;
• Peyton Penders, of Pavilion -- Food Processing Technology;
• Alexis Jade Reed, of Batavia -- Food Processing Technology;
• Jace Hilton Vilinsky, of Avon -- Supply Chain Management.

For more information about the WNY Tech Academy visit wnytechacademy.org

About Western New York Tech Academy

It is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

National Grid was recognized Friday by the WNY Tech Academy at Byron-Bergen High School as the Business of the Year for the company's support of the program, particularly for the $25,000 National Grid had already donated to the student's greenhouse project. On Friday, executive Ken Kuwaja and Paul Gister delivered another $50,000.

The student-conceived project involves building a greenhouse and starting a business to grow greens and farm tilapia in a hydroponic environment.

Kelly Yates, pictured with Principal Thomas Schulte, was named Mentor of the Year.

Students named Professional of the Year: Samantha Lucki, Petyon Penders, and Evan Harter.

Keep moving forward, that is what Adam Thorman said he has done since graduating from Byron-Bergen High School more than 10 years ago and joining the Navy.

He's moved forward in his Navy career, from E-2 out of basic training to E-6 after 10 years of service. He's been recognized by his superiors for his hard work and dedication as a military security specialist. He's gotten married and become a father to a 17-month old daughter. And he has overcome tragedy in his family, the deaths in separate accidents of his twin sister and his younger sister.

He said he's moved forward with the help of friends and family but meeting his wife a couple of years after the deaths of his sisters in 2011 "kind of opened up my eyes that I could still move on while unfortunately still missing two of my family members," he said during a presentation Monday at the Western New York Tech Acadamy.

Thorman was one of four speakers for "Motivational Monday" at the academy. The other speakers were Gina Lathan from Lathan Construction, Jakob Terranova from Six Flags Darien Lake, and Kelley Yates from Sedgwick Business Interiors.

Thorman fielded a variety of questions from the three dozen students who attended the talks, including questions about his deployments overseas, his career plans, life in the military, and how he overcame obstacles (such as bringing his reading skills up to the necessary level to complete college) to advance his career.

"I really enjoy reading books now," he said.

The Western New York Tech Academy, at Byron-Bergen High School, hosted its first mentor's breakfast Friday morning and handed out three significant awards for the first time.

Isaac Ladley, a junior in the program, received the first-ever Professional of the Year award. Pictured with Ladley are faculty members Miranda Wharram-Santillo, Thomas Schulte (principal), Mariah LaSpina, Kathryn Beaumont, and Sean Madden.

The breakfast was followed by a business fair and mock employment interviews.

Liberty Pumps was selected as Business Partner of the Year. Pictured are Jeff Cook, David Williams, Robyn Brookhart, Dennis Burke, and Thomas Schulte.

The Mentor of the Year is Gina Lathan. Pictured with Lathan, a student she mentored, Rebecca Haniscewski, and Thomas Schulte.

A group of students in the WNY Tech Academy at Byron-Bergen High School can now be called entrepreneurs.

They've researched a business idea, wrote a business plan, built financial projections and stepped into their own version of the Shark Tank and walked out with a guaranteed $125,000 in financing for their planned business.

The business, Academy Greens, will grow spinach and tilapia in a greenhouse on the Byron-Bergen campus that will be equipped with an aquaponics system.

They will sell the spinach to the cafeteria at Byron-Bergen and to the culinary arts program at BOCES. 

"There is an unlimited opportunity for success and there is so much to learn within the business itself," said student Kyle Goloskey. "I'm excited about the project because we’re able to provide food for local schools and it’s organic so it’s a clean project we don’t have to worry about contamination."

The students haven't quite figured out what to do with the tilapia yet, and under questioning from the "sharks" during their hour-long pitch, acknowleged that they didn't account for the preparation costs associated with selling fish.

The "sharks" were: Genesee County Economic Development Center CEO Steve Hyde, who was asked to represent the vegetable-processing company Bonduelle, which has a plant in Oakfield, for the purpose of the pitch review; and Paul Gister, manager of customer and community management at National Grid; Michael Gardinier, VP of operations at Farm Fresh First; and Thomas Schulte, principal of the WNY Tech Academy.

Hyde said Bonduelle will make an in-kind contribution of coaching and food-processing expertise to assist the students with their startup. Gister and Gardinier said they will take back recommendations for funding to their bosses and board of directors.

At the end of the presentation, Schulte announced that the budget for the WNY Tech Academy, which is funded through grants, has been rewritten for next year to make $125,000 available for the project. Any financial contribution from National Grid or Farm Fresh will backfill the WNY Tech contribution.

Hyde said he found the whole project exciting.

"Food is such a heartland for us," Hyde said. "We've got three industrial parks across the county that are being developed around food. On the entrepreneurial side, that is such a critical piece. We have the Med-Tech Center and the entrepreneurial zone for startups. That is an accelerator for businesses. Things like this help plant the seeds that spark things."

He praised the project-based learning experience.

Gardinier said the project is going to give the students a real hands-on experience in the world and in business that will benefit them when they start their careers. It is a bridge for them to connect their class work to the work environment.

And starting and running a business isn't easy, so the students will learn from the mistakes they make and the challenges they encounter.

"I fully expect them to hit problems," Gardinier said. "It’s important they get their network built around them. They’ve got some very key players with them now that have offered time and offered expertise to the project to help them get over those hurdles, so build your network and use it."

Noah Toal, 11th grade, said he likes the project because he gets to learn how businesses start and the sharks who asked challenging questions gave him an idea of what it takes to put a business together.

He plans to enter into accounting but might want to own his own business someday.

"I might think about starting my own business once I get out there more and start getting cash flow in, and I get more understanding of how this world goes," Noah said. 

The primary goal of the project, Schulte said, is to provide a learning experience and bring together the three disciplines of the tech academy -- food-processing technology, supply chain management, and accounting -- into a single effort.

"From very early on we tried to talk about ourselves as a startup company and how important for every person on our team, staff, students, to play a role in making it become what the vision of it was from the very beginning," Schulte said. "I think the greenhouse is just going to be another example of -- to make it work, we’ve got to work to make it work."

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Farash Foundation, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Area Community Foundation sponsored a contest for high school students and last night Byron-Bergen learned the videos it produced for the contest grabbed Second Place and Third Place.

The contest challenged students to make public service announcements for in-demand jobs of the future.

Students in Byron-Bergen's tech academy made two videos about food processing.

The full press release about the contest is here.

All of the videos that won and placed are here.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Western New York Tech Academy in Bergen today. Hochul met with school Principal Thomas Schulte. On her last visit to the area, the two talked about the exciting new school and Hochul made a point to come back and visit to see it firsthand.

Hochul is so interested because it is a new concept in medium and high level education. P-Tech schools like Western NY Tech Academy have only been open for two years. Instead of a four-year curriculum like a normal high school, P-Tech schools have a six-year curriculum. At the end of the six years, the students graduate with a high school diploma and a fully accredited two-year college associates degree in a science discipline -- at no cost to the student or family!

Schulte walked Hochul through the school explaining how the classes are designed around teaching Math, Science and English as applied to solving real-world problems. Hochul commented how great that was because she, like many others, thought in high school “When am I ever going to use this stuff they are teaching me?” Well, in this school they use the information right away.

The classrooms resemble corporate meeting rooms. Classes are held differently, too. As well as the fundamentals students are taught to interact with each other in productive ways and communicate ideas and solutions effectively.

The concept of the school is so attractive to some that they bus in over an hour and a half away from Dansville. Supporters say Genesee County is lucky that the school is located in the Bergen School system complex. Because it's so new, it's not currently running with full classrooms.

If you are interested in sending your student to the school or for more information, please go to www.wnytechacademy

Assemblyman Steve Hawley and John Jakubowski, a workforce development consultant for Genesee County Economic Development Center, spoke to students at the WNY Tech Academy at Byron-Bergen High School this afternoon.

Hawley spoke about how he works in Albany to help get legislation passed and drum up support for projects such as the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and WNY STAMP.

Cooperation and relationship building is a big part of the job, he said.

"Communication is the key to getting anything done," Hawley said. "It doesn't matter whether it's texting, whether it's e-mailing, whether it's on the phone, but the best sort of communication is what we're doing here today, looking at each other, eyeball-to-eyeball. You know who I am now. I know who you guys are."

Jakubowski, a retired educator, told students about how he uses his expertise to create job-training programs so the companies coming into the Ag Park and STAMP have a local workforce of job-ready applicants when they open their doors.