Nominate an Outstanding Rural School Teacher!
The Rural Schools Association of NYS seeks to highlight the wonderful level of teaching in rural school districts. In selecting a NYS Rural Teacher of the Year, we hope to spotlight the best among us, inspire others, and help increase the awareness of the value rural education brings to its communities.
Submitting your nomination is easy! Click here to Download the Nomination Packet, complete each step, and send it to us as a PDF or Word Doc via the form below.
Ready to Submit Your Nomination?
Once your nomination packet is completed and condensed to a single PDF or DOC file, complete the following form and upload it for consideration. You can also add up to three photos.
Expenses for travel and overnight accommodations will be covered
by our corporate partners, C&S Companies and SEI Design Group.
Meet Last Year's Teacher of the Year
Todd Shuskey, left / Tarkan Ceng, Awards Committee Chair, RSA Board of Directors, and Superintendent of the Jefferson CSD
The Rural Schools Association of New York State presented the 2024-25 Rural Teacher of the Year award to Mr. Todd Shuskey of Perry Junior-Senior High School. Teachers and peers cheered throughout the surprise announcement by Superintendent of Schools, Daryl McLaughlin.
Todd’s dedication to engaging his students with the district’s natural resource, Silver Lake, and the surrounding watershed, as well as his drive to instill the importance of science education in the lives of all of his students, were some of the many highlights that the awards committee acknowledged in their decision.
Mr. Todd Shuskey teaches High School Biology (formally Living Environment), college biology courses through Genesee Community College, and Aquatic Science (a mix of limnology and marine biology). Todd’s additional experience includes athletic coaching, engagement with the FFA, research of agricultural practices on downstream lake communities, and two years of experience as the Regional Science Coordinator. He is also the current Science Department Chairperson.
Mr. Shuskey began the Silver Lake Monitoring Project in 2018. Since then, the project has received over $40,000 in grant awards from several organizations, which has allowed Todd to continue his research and purchase a research boat. Todd shined the light of his passion for research, specifically in the Silver Lake community, onto his students, who have actively engaged with this project.