The PBIS Leadership Team is proud to announce our Mustang of the Month award recipients for the month of December. Congratulations to Allison Soposki, Krista Mezik and Meghan Murphy-Pagano!
Allison Soposki is an occupational therapist at Mount Markham CSD, based out of Mount Markham Elementary School. Soposki was educated at Springfield College, where she received her master’s in occupational therapy. Prior to coming to Mount Markham CSD, Soposki worked for Herkimer BOCES and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
Soposki’s favorite parts about working at Mount Markham CSD are the welcoming, rural atmosphere and the enjoyment she feels as students learn and use a variety of skills that will help them be successful, both at school and throughout their lives.
Parents and colleagues alike note the work and attention that Soposki puts into each student.
“She [Soposki] has been so amazing to us through our child’s schooling,” a parent said. “She works hard and advocates for him.”
Teamwork and cooperation have been integral to Soposki’s success, and she works closely with students and staff to maximize the capabilities of all the students she supports.
Outside of work, Soposki enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors with family, working at her parents’ greenhouse, reading and crocheting.
Krista Mezik is a guidance secretary at Mount Markham Middle School. Mezik received her education at SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Empire State College and Herkimer County Community College. Prior to working at Mount Markham CSD, Mezik managed the bookstore at Herkimer College.
Mezik enjoys establishing a relationship with the students, staff and parents of Mount Markham CSD.
“I have met the very best people working here,” Mezik said. “Our school is my second family!”
Mezik’s deep appreciation for students and staff is noticed by administrators and teachers throughout the middle school.
“Krista arrives to work early to help monitor students as they enter the school building, and she stays late and is willing to cover any gap in coverage so that students are supervised,” Principal Sean Carone said. “She is always eager to help out where it is needed.”
Other colleagues of Mezik have also commented on her willingness to help.
“Mrs. Mezik always has a smile and is always willing to help,” a teacher at Mount Markham Middle School said. “She always tries her best to solve any problem presented whether it be a staff question or a child showing up at her door needing assistance. People are always met with a warm welcome.”
When she’s not at work, Krista Mezik loves to read and travel, as well as spend time with her husband and three children.
Our final Mustang of the Month, Meghan Murphy-Pagano, is an art teacher at Mount Markham High School. Murphy-Pagano was educated at the College of Saint Rose and Goddard College. Prior to working at Mount Markham High School, Murphy-Pagano worked for Herkimer BOCES and at Mount Markham Middle School.
Raised on a dairy farm, Murphy-Pagano learned the value of hard work early on, and she believes this has contributed to her success.
“Growing up on a farm taught me the value of hard work and innovative problem solving,” Meghan Murphy-Pagano said. “I always try to help students strive for excellence and meet their full potential.”
Outside of work, art and education remain at the forefront of Murphy-Pagano’s life. In her free time, she teaches and takes classes at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute and is on the Program Committee at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts.
Megan Murphy-Pagano’s commitment to art education does not go unnoticed by her students.
“She [Murphy-Pagano] is so willing to let students work in her classroom every day,” one student said. “She is always so helpful in helping kids make beautiful art.”