CAZENOVIA — Seventh-grade social studies teacher Mark Tugaw was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD).

According to CCSD Superintendent Chris DiFulvio, the district solicits nominations for the award each year from its teachers, and past award recipients vote on the winner.

“Mark is one of the strongest relationship builders I know,” said DiFulvio. “He works closely with students to get to know them and demonstrates genuine interest in his students. I believe it is Mark’s ability to relate to anyone that has made him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.”

Tugaw has been teaching at Cazenovia Middle School (CMS) since September 2000.

He graduated from Liverpool High School in 1990 and attended Onondaga Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh.

Tugaw earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice and sociology with the goal of someday working for the Drug Enforcement Administration or as a police officer.

The summer before his senior year of college, however, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that severely injured his left leg and forced him to reroute his career path.

In a Teacher of the Year questionnaire distributed by CCSD, Tugaw credited his eldest brother, Curt, who was a special education teacher, for helping to shape his desire to teach, and his brother Shawn, a retired police officer, for inspiring his desire to serve the public.

“My mother taught us about love and relationships, and my father taught us about life and the importance of a strong work ethic,” he said. “. . . I’ve always had a passion for working with teenagers and a desire to work with challenging kids. Early in my career, I volunteered for a year in an alternative education program at North Syracuse Junior High and worked with several ‘at-risk’ students. That experience solidified my desire to work with teenagers during what is a tough time for many.”

Tugaw received his graduate degree in secondary education (social studies) from LeMoyne College and completed his student teaching work at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and Lincoln Middle School in the Syracuse City School District.

His first official teaching job was at CCSD.

At the time he was hired, he was working in asset management for the Carrier Corporation.

Hoping to substitute teach one day a week while working at Carrier, Tugaw attended a substitute teacher recruitment evening at Cazenovia High School.

“I guess I was in the right place at the right time, as the previous 7th-grade teacher had resigned that day, and school was starting in two weeks,” Tugaw recounted in the questionnaire. “I interviewed with Chuck Read that evening and with Dr. Jean Regan the following morning. Thus began my teaching career at Cazenovia Middle School.”

Tugaw joined the CCSD faculty around the same time as Joe Schettine, Wendy Everard, Karyn Scanlon, Christie Brenneck, Kristen Reichert, Joy Springs, Julia Bliss, Becky Miller, Mary Coburn, Todd Macreery, Jeff Bobbett, Eric Nieman, Jenny Bailey, Beth Ryan, and Donna Snyder.

According to Tugaw, one of the most significant changes in his profession over the past 20-plus years has been the role of technology in education.

He specifically pointed to the use of Chromebooks in classrooms, which he noted presents both opportunities and challenges.

“I pride myself in being ‘old school’ and will always favor books over screen time,” he said in the questionnaire. “That said, students having the internet at their fingertips can be a powerful educational tool.”

When asked in the questionnaire about his legacy, Tugaw responded that he hopes he is remembered as a firm but fair teacher.

“I find myself often saying, ‘Have fun, but get it done,’” he added.

He also expressed that he hopes his love of teaching shined through in class every day.

“Mark has an outstanding ability to form positive and meaningful relationships with students, creating a supportive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom,” said Cazenovia Middle School Principal Amy Getman-Herringshaw. “Not only is he a teacher in our district, but he also dedicates a tremendous amount of time to coaching. Additionally, his commitment to building a sense of community within the 7th-grade cohort has had a profound influence, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere that enhances the overall educational experience for students.”

Tugaw has been coaching Varsity Boys Outdoor Track and Field since 2008 and Varsity Boys Indoor Track and Field since 2022. He also coached modified football from 2002 to 2013.

He described coaching as a wonderful extension of the classroom, remarking that he has enjoyed seeing the young men on his teams grow from adolescents into young adults, and he feels privileged to have worked with some special athletes and fine young men throughout the years.

Tugaw has also been active in the CMS Mentoring Program, and he remains in contact with many of the individuals he worked with during their teenage years.

Additionally, he is a strong advocate for the Cazenovia United Educators, the local teacher’s union.

“My role as a middle school building representative means I serve the middle school teachers in any capacity needed,” he said. “This can range from welcoming new faculty to working alongside district administration to help our teachers better serve our student community.”

Outside of school, Tugaw’s personal interests include traveling; fishing; football; visiting his cabin on Cayuga Lake; and spending time with his three kids and his girlfriend, Amy Conley, who is a recently retired 5th-grade teacher at CMS.

“Life threw me a curveball [with my motorcycle accident], and I had to adjust my path,” Tugaw said in the questionnaire. “Looking back, I am very happy things worked out the way they did. I continue to have a rewarding career, have worked with the best of the best, and have been fortunate enough to help a few kids along the way. . . . I’d like to give special thanks to Walt Stroud, Jean Regan, Amy Conley, Pat Mouton, Dick Lombardo, and my parents for helping to guide me throughout my career and for their unwavering support.”

Tugaw was presented his award during CCSD’s first staff development day in September. He was accompanied by family and friends who wore matching shirts that were custom-made by Conley’s daughter Mary Kate.

He said receiving the award was “completely surreal and totally unexpected.”

“I was honored to be nominated and was thrilled that my family and loved ones joined me on stage,” he added. “Honestly, it was pretty emotional, and I found myself at a rare loss for words.”

To learn more about CCSD, visit cazenoviacsd.com.