Today's Messages

The Center for English Teaching annual Spring Banquet will take place on Friday, May 15 from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m, at the Barrel Factory (65 Vandalia St, Buffalo, NY 14204). The English Education program will recognize longtime Dean of Education, Dr. Wendy Paterson with the Educational Legacy Award and Dr. Pixita Del Prado Hill with the Outstanding Colleague Award. The English Education Student Association (EESA) will recognize English Department Administrative Assistant I, William T. McCourt, with the EESA Community Award, and Professor Kevin Starr (BS, 1979; MA, 1984) with the English Education Alumni Award. 

The Western New York Network of English Teachers (WNYNET) will recognize the winners of the 2026 Distinguished Educators Awards. Jeanne Skotnicki, who teaches English at West Seneca West High School, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Elmwood Village Charter School English teacher, Jessica Phillips (BS, 2019; MSED, 2023) will receive the Experienced Teacher Award, and Alexis McTigue (MSED, 2024), a Lancaster Middle School English teacher, will receive the Early Career Award. Finally, Danielle Womack, principal of Buffalo Public’s Math Science Technology Preparatory School, will receive the Administrative Leadership in Support of English Language Arts Award.

Tickets are $25 for students, $40 for non-students and include a buffet dinner, coffee, and dessert. There will be a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased from the Western New York Network of English Teachers through Venmo (@wnynet). Tickets can also be purchased from the Buffalo State Alumni Association online.

Please contact James Cercone (cerconje@buffalostate.edu) with any questions.