The energy was festive as teachers and staff gathered at Cohoes High School for Superintendent’s Conference Day to kick off the 2025-26 school year last week.
After enjoying breakfast where old friends mingled and new ones forged friendships, everyone headed to the auditorium where Superintendent Peggy O’Shea welcomed the group and thanked the Board of Education for their ongoing support of our students, staff and schools.
“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals work tirelessly on behalf of our community,” she said before introducing Board of Education President Margaret Giller.
Mrs. Giller, a lifelong Cohoes resident and proud class of ‘94 alum, wanted to demonstrate the connections that occur in a small city school district by asking anyone who was family or extended to stand, starting with her sister Amanda Dorr, a fifth grade teacher at Van Schaick Grade School.
She followed this by asking anyone who graduated from CHS and anyone who has worked with her during her time in Cohoes to stand.
“If you have served in any service-related activities with me whether it be a committee, PTA, PTO, endless number of booster clubs or community service, please stand,” she said.
Finally, Mrs. Giller asked those still sitting to stand if they have ever had a connection with her.
With more than half of the attendees standing, she said, “My point in this exercise is to show the ripple effects of life. This is not about me… any one of us could have stood here and had a similar result. What I have learned over the course of a decade of governance in this district is that our biggest asset is you. The people in this room are the reason for any success that we experience as a school district and they all build upon each other.”
She encouraged the group to reflect on this experience in the months ahead and to understand that they are the ones who are building futures, shaping the lives of our students and strengthening the foundation of the Cohoes community.
As is tradition, each principal introduced their new staff members and asked them to stand up for recognition. Superintendent O’Shea spoke to the new colleagues and reminded them that they are not alone in this journey.
“You are surrounded by an amazing group of people who are eager to support you, to share their knowledge and to walk alongside you,” she said. “That is one of the greatest strengths of our district – we take care of each other, we collaborate and we grow stronger together.”
Superintendent O’Shea discussed the District’s mission, vision and core beliefs and said these goals start with a partnership of schools, families and the community. She asked the group to keep these core values at the center of their work.
“Let’s make every interaction count. When students walk into our schools, let’s greet them with the belief that they can achieve more than they think is possible. And let’s remind ourselves daily that what we do here doesn’t just impact this year – it impacts the future. What we do today can change the trajectory of a child’s tomorrow.”
She concluded by wishing everyone a “year of purpose, of progress, of impact.”