Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

LOCKPORT – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year.

Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.  The winners were announced at Opening Day for Orleans/Niagara BOCES at the Palace Theater in Lockport.

Dan Connolly is the Administrator of the Year. Connolly has worked at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for almost ten years. He says his favorite part of the job is that every day is something new.  “There is no way I could do what I do without the outstanding staff that I work with.  I was shocked, grateful and humbled when I heard my name called on opening day.”

Harris Lieberman is the Adult Education Employee of the Year.  “I have worked for Orleans/Niagara BOCES since the Summer of 2015. I was hired as a part-time ESL teacher and worked in Waterport at the satellite facility, World Life Institute. I worked for five years and then took a leave of absence to live in China for almost three years. I returned in 2024 and retained full-time employment with Orleans/Niagara BOCES and now work primarily at 50 Main Street, Lockport.”

He says his favorite part of his job is getting to meet and teach students from all over the world. “Sometimes I feel like my students teach me more than I teach them. Their incredible life stories, struggles and resilience help motivate me to keep coming back to work year after year. I was completely surprised and deeply honored to win this award. Among all of the excellent individuals I work with, it is very humbling that I was chosen out of so many talented, passionate workers.”

Elaine Sheehan is the Clerical Person of the Year. She started working at BOCES in 2015 as a teacher’s aide for the LPN program. “My job responsibilities were greeting staff and young adults and helping them find where they needed to go. I also helped teachers if they ever needed anything.  I was very excited that my fellow employees like and appreciate me and everything I do. I feel very honored by them and to receive this award.”

Theresa Salmeri is the Maintenance Person of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for six years and retired this year. “My favorite part of the job were the people I work with and the freedom to work independently.”

She says she was shocked when she won. “People were texting me and letting me know I won. What great news to get!”

Lisa Bielmeier is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She has worked at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for 28 years.

“My favorite part of the job is working with our BOCES staff and our component districts highlighting all the important things they do to enrich the lives of children and adults,” she said. “What I really enjoy about my job is being creative, interacting with people and telling their stories.  I love that every day is different and I am always meeting and working with such dedicated educators.

“The ONBOCES Public Relations team that I am a part of are the best. My coworkers are talented, smart, passionate about their work and a lot of fun to be around. It makes coming to work so enjoyable.”

She says she was shocked when her name was called opening day during the awards. “It meant so much to me that the people I work with thought enough of me to nominate me for this award. I feel very humbled and honored.”

Tajwanna Jackson is the Teacher Aide of the Year.  “I have been with BOCES since March of 2023.  My favorite part of the job is being able to make a difference in a student(s) life. Being named Employee of the Year is truly an honor and a blessing. It makes me feel grateful and appreciated for the hard work and dedication I put into my job every day. I don’t come to work just to do a job I come with a purpose, knowing that the students, my coworkers, and the school community all matter.

“This recognition reminds me that the little things I do each day make a difference,” Jackson said. “Whether it is encouraging a student, helping someone through a difficult moment, supporting my coworkers, or simply being someone others can depend on, I am grateful that my efforts are noticed. Being Employee of the Year motivates me to continue growing, learning, and giving my very best. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive difference at the Niagara Academy.”

Sarah Koithan is the Teacher of the Year. “I started working the ESY (Extended School Year) program in 2008 as an aide and subbed during the school years. I spent two and a half years being a long-term substitute teacher before being officially hired in 2014. My favorite parts of my job are building relationships with my students and getting to see the small steps of progress that they make. I love reflecting back at their transformation throughout the year, how much they’ve grown, and when parents share the progress they notice as well. I also have some awesome colleagues. We make a great team together!”

Koithan says she was shocked when she heard her name opening day. “It means so much to me knowing that it comes from my peers and all of my hard work is noticed and appreciated by others. I put my heart and soul into a lot of projects to try to make our school a better place to work and do what’s best for the students. I was truly touched and work with such a special team of people.”

Jason Royce was named the Substitute of the Year.

Dan Crofts works with students through the IGNITE program at GCC

Provided photo: Dan Crofts holds a copy of his autobiography about being on the Autism Spectrum.

BATAVIA — For over 15 years, Dan Crofts has worked as a direct support professional for Arc GLOW.

Today, he can be found within the IGNITE (Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Education) program at Genesee Community College (GCC). In this role, he supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they participate in an inclusive higher education experience, helping students in developing vocational, social, communication, and independent living skills while participating in IGNITE classes, community outings, job site tours, internships, and audited college courses.

It is for his consistent support and dedication Crofts will be honored as one of the four awardees across the state of the 2026 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award. This annual award recognizes a DSP who consistently demonstrates excellence, creativity and commitment to providing supports to people who have IDD.

“I would like to commend Dan Crofts on the work that he has done with my daughter. We first met Dan about four years ago (give or take) when my daughter first started services through Arc GLOW,” said Elizabeth Newman in a letter of support. “A couple of years ago, my daughter started the IGNITE program at GCC, and was overjoyed to hear that Dan had accepted the position with the IGNITE program and that she would be continuing to work with him!”

“Now two years later, he has continued to have such a positive impact on her learning and growth, and even though she has graduated from that program, we have been honored to hire Dan on as her self-hired community habilitation staff,” she continued. “He has been such a positive influence, mentor and roll model for my daughter and all those who he is around.”

Newman isn’t the only one who sings high praises of Crofts; Cathy Barcomb also wrote a letter of support saying he is patient, caring and compassionate.

“An example of this is the day my son was struggling emotionally, and I needed to pick him up from the program. Dan and Daniel were in the classroom when I arrived,” she said. “I proceeded to encourage my son to pack his backpack and to head home with me. After a little bit, he complied.

“During this time, Dan remained quietly working on his computer, only speaking to say goodbye to us. A few minutes later Dan texted me to let me know that he wasn’t ignoring us but was giving Daniel the space and time to collect himself and be able to leave without getting upset further. Dan understood what Daniel needed at that moment. That is one of Dan’s strengths; his ability to assess a situation and handle it admirably.”

In addition to his work as a DSP, Crofts is also an accomplished, published author whose work has appeared in various publications. He has written and published an autobiography detailing his own personal experiences as a person on the Autism Spectrum.

It is his experiences as both a professional and person with lived experience on the Autism spectrum which brings unique insight and perspective to his role. He willingly learns about new topics, technologies, and educational methods that can enhance participant experiences in both classroom and community settings.

Crofts often states that he may wish to remain a lifelong DSP because of his passion for the field and the individuals he serves.

The award will be presented to Crofts Friday, Sept. 25 during The Arc New York’s Annual Awards Luncheon at the Warren-Washington-Albany chapter of The Arc New York.