Board Biographies
Lisa Wing
School Leader
Professionals in all walks of life probably have dreams. It is likely that detectives dream of cracking a big case, medical researchers dream of finding an important cure, and authors dream of writing a great novel. Lisa Wing never shared those aspirations, but was very familiar with teacher dreams. Since beginning her career as a Rochester City School District teacher, she noticed that talk in faculty lounges and around copy machines often began with the phrase, “If I had my own school…” Part of that conversation stemmed from frustration about administrative requirements or seemingly bureaucratic decisions. But there was always something more at the heart of it. There was a deep understanding about how children learn best and how teachers could thrive in a professionally stimulating environment. There were seeds of a vision about how schools could be run to foster an intellectual enterprise that remained true to professional ideals.
When the New York Charter School Law passed in 1998, it seemed a perfect opportunity for Lisa and a group of like-minded teachers and community members to act upon their vision and create the Genesee Community Charter School. Lisa led this group of founders through the charter development and application process, and then became its first School Leader in 2001.
Lisa received her Ph.D. in Teaching and Curriculum from Syracuse University. She earned her Master's Degree from Syracuse University and Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State University. She holds certifications in special education, general education, early childhood education, and school district administration. Her previous positions include special education and general education teacher of preschool through Grade 6, curriculum specialist, professional development specialist for the Rochester Teachers Association, and adjunct professor at Nazareth College of Rochester.
Lisa is married and has two sons, both of whom have benefitted from the excellent education provided at GCCS. Her older son currently attends McQuaid Jesuit, and her younger son is in sixth grade at GCCS.
William M. Colby
Board Chair and President
William M. Colby has been the Board Chair and President since the beginning of the School. He is a lawyer, practicing with the law firm of Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP in Rochester. Bill received both his A.B. and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Michigan. He has been active in a number of professional and community organizations and served as the Chairman of the Board of our partner organization, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, for three years.
Bill says that his interest in the School grew out of a fascination with the Expeditionary Learning model. He finds that the students are actively engaged in the learning process, which creates an exciting atmosphere and a desire for knowledge that he hopes will continue for a lifetime. This contrasts with memories of his own grade school experience, which he says mostly involved staring out the window and daydreaming all day long.
Lyle Beach
Vice President
Mr. Beach is senior vice president of finance and operations for the Strong Museum, a position which he has held since 2004. In this position Mr. Beach is responsible for finance, investment management, facilities management and information technology systems. Mr. Beach is also responsible for a capital expansion project scheduled to open in 2006 which will include construction of 112,000 square feet and renovation of 40,000 square feet. Prior to this position Mr. Beach was the vice president for finance and administration for the Rochester Museum & Science Center, a position which he occupied from 1981 to 2004. Mr. Beach was chief financial, operations, and personnel officer for the museum. Prior to that he worked with the accounting firm of Deloitte and Touche as a designated not for profit industry specialist.
Mr. Beach received his BS degree in accounting from RIT and is a certified public accountant. Mr. Beach is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He currently serves as a Board member and Treasurer of the Museum Association of New York, and the Genesee Community Charter School in Rochester New York. Mr. Beach is a former board member and treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums.
George H. Yeadon
Treasurer
George H. Yeadon joined the Board in March, 2006, to fulfill the term of Winnifred Chiarella as a Community Member. He is currently Manager of Operations for the Xerox Engineering and Enterprises Center for the Xerox Corporation in Webster, NY. George received his BA in Engineering and Applied Physics from Harvard University, and his MBA in Operations Management from the Simon School at the University of Rochester. His work experience includes both technical and business-related assignments at Westinghouse Electric Corp and Xerox.
George’s interest in GCCS stems from active and continuous involvement in college recruiting at the high school level, and the obvious preparation required in the earlier grades. The Expeditionary Learning model of GCCS provides excellent training and exposure to the students and aids their personal and academic development. George is also a member of several other organizations in the Rochester community, including the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Rochester (VP of Programs) and the St John’s Home Health Care Board.
Tracy Walker
Secretary
Barbara S. Sauer
RMSC Representative
Barbara S. Sauer is the Vice President, Finance & Administration at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Prior to this position, Barbara served as Vice President at AAA Western & Central New York. She achieved a Masters in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from St. John Fisher College. Barbara’s leadership, management and financial skills will help to strengthen the link between the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s learning opportunities in the fields of cultural heritage, the natural environment, science and technology with the Genesee Community Charter School’s expeditionary learning program.
Kate Daboll-Lavoie
Community Representative
Marcia Joy
Community Representative
Marcia Joy, a community representative on the board, is a native Rochesterian. She graduated from both Kodak Park School No. 41 and John Marshall High School. After earning a BA degree in Early Childhood Education from the State University College at Potsdam she began her career as Director of Kindergarten in a private school in Louisiana. She returned to Rochester to join the Rochester City School District as a Kindergarten teacher. Marcia received a MA degree in Education from the University of Rochester and an Administrative and Supervision certificate from the State University of New York at Brockport. After teaching Kindergarten for 24 years she became a teacher coordinator for the Genesee River Valley Project at Dag Hammarskjold School No.6. Mrs. Joy then became a vice principal until her retirement from Rochester City School District.
As a teacher, curriculum writer and administrator in the Rochester City School District she has advocated excellence in learning and teaching. She believes that inquiry-based learning is essential to motivate and fully engage students in their education. When she joined the board Marcia realized the opportunity to participate in an extraordinary school. The Expeditionary Learning basis of the curriculum fully involves students and teachers in exploring and learning together. She values her involvement in this school which fosters high standards, personal growth, cooperation, and lifelong learning.
Marcia and her husband, Ron, enjoy spending time with their four children and six grandchildren, traveling, and their cottage on Keuka Lake.
Harry Pierre-Phillippe
Community Representative
Bridget Shumway
Community Representative
Bridget A. Shumway joined the Board in 2001 as a Community Member. She is currently the President and Owner of Generations Child Care, Inc. and Generations Elder Care, Inc. Bridget started her business in 1993 after having worked at the Center for Governmental Research and Monroe County.
Bridget is active in the Early Childhood Development Initiative and her interest in GCCS is a further extension of her passion for seeing that children get the best start in life. Bridget is a former school board member serving in the East Rochester school district. Within her company children from all parts of the community of participate in nationally accredited centers. Several sites participate in the Universal PreK program through the City School District.
Bridget is a member of the Rochester Chapter of the Women's President's Organization and serves as Finance Chairperson and Steward for the Diocese of Rochester.
Teresa Snell
Community Representative
Diana Carter
Parent Representative
Diana is a parent representative for the Family Association.
John Bernunzio
Parent Representative
John is a parent representative for the Family Association.
Wendy Quarles
Parent Representative
Wendy is a parent representative for the Family Association.
Shannon Hillman
Classroom Teacher
Shannon Hillman has lived in Rochester all of her life. She has had a wide variety of teaching experiences before she joined the Genesee Community Charter School. During her college years, Shannon had several opportunities to experience education around the world in settings such as an alternative school in Kamuela, Hawaii and a small rural school in Britton's Neck, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Elementary Education from Wells College. After a year of teaching, she decided to pursue her Master’s Degree and a second certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities from Nazareth College. Shannon has taught most grade levels ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Sixth Grade.
Shannon has always had a passion for teaching and was always in search of a school like GCCS. Since she has joined the staff, Shannon has had the opportunity to learn and grow with her students by traveling to Expeditionary Learning Institutes and Conferences. She won a Fund for Teachers grant to study Europe’s canals in July, 2006. When Shannon is not found within school grounds, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, traveling, downhill skiing, or expressing herself through music.
Dan Walpole
Classroom Teacher
Dan Walpole is a native of the Rochester area. He was born in the city of Rochester, grew up in Greece, and recently moved back to the city of Rochester. He holds teaching certifications in elementary education and teaching students with disabilities. Dan earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
At Allegheny, Dan minored in the Values, Ethics and Social Action program, and was active in a student-organized group that sought to integrate service-learning into as many classes as possible by working with professors, community members, and students to organize authentic service projects. Through his volunteer work at an after-school outreach center, Dan decided to pursue a career in education. After graduating from Allegheny, Dan attended Nazareth College of Rochester to study education.
Dan joined the GCCS community after student teaching there in 2005. He brings with him his excitement for teaching (especially at an Expeditionary Learning/Outward Bound school), his passion for learning, and the love he has for music and reading. In his free time, Dan collects and plays a variety of musical instruments, particularly those that would fit with a jug band.