Brighton Central School District

Rogan Bonner is a physical education teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School. He previously taught physical education in Honeoye Falls-Lima. Mr. Bonner likes to actively engage with students and see them enjoy class. Jason Wasserman is his mentor. 

He earned a B.S. in adapted physical education from SUNY Brockport. 

Mr. Bonner grew up near Pittsburgh and served in the Army National Guard for 12 years. He and his 7-year-old have a dog and two cats. Mr. Bonner loves playing, coaching, and watching sports. 

Mary Beth Bradshaw is a business teacher at Brighton High School. She did her student teaching in Brighton and recently taught business in Rush-Henrietta. Mrs. Bradshaw enjoys getting students to look at the world through a different lens and tap into their creative side. Sam Rizzo is her mentor. 

She earned a B.A. in business management and marketing from Nazareth University and M.S. in business education from SUNY Oswego.  

Mrs. Bradshaw enjoys hot yoga and taking walks with her husband and their 9-year-old black mouth mountain cur dog. They love to travel and hope to visit all 50 states and go on an Alaskan cruise. In 2018, Mrs. Bradshaw purchased a foreclosed home and lived in it while flipping it with the help of her dad and husband. 

Alyssa Bushnell is a special education teacher at French Road Elementary School. It’s her first year as a full-time teacher. Miss Bushnell enjoys watching students grow academically and personally. Jill Tantillo is her mentor. 

She earned a B.S. in childhood inclusive education from SUNY Brockport.  

Miss Bushnell has two sisters, three stepbrothers, and a dog, Maggie. She enjoys working out, cooking, reading, and traveling. 

Taylor D’Agostino is a special education teacher at Brighton High School. She previously was a TA in Webster schools. Ms. D’Agostino loves witnessing “aha” moments for her students and watching them grow and discover their passions. Cassie Pruitt is her mentor. 

Ms. D’Agostino earned a B.A. in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and M.S.T. in inclusive and special education from SUNY Potsdam. 

Her family has a blue heeler named Broth. Ms. D’Agostino’s hobbies include ceramics, rock climbing, tennis, figure drawing, and piano. She once was an extra in a movie! 

Debra Davis is an instrumental music teacher at Brighton High School. She previously taught instrumental music in Palmyra-Macedon schools. Mrs. Davis enjoys connecting with students and building their confidence. Dr. Sarah Fischer-Croneis is her mentor. 

Mrs. Davis earned a B.M. in music education and M.M. in performance from SUNY Fredonia. 

Her husband, Matt, is also a musician and they have twin daughters. The family also has a 14-year-old chihuahua. Mrs. Davis plays in a yacht rock band and loves gardening, entertaining, and calligraphy. She loves football season and the Bills! 

Olivia Donroe is a third-grade teacher at French Road Elementary School. She previously taught in Penfield. Miss Donroe enjoys building connections with students and allowing them to achieve their greatest potential. Jamie Schenk is her mentor. 

She earned a B.S. in childhood/special education from SUNY Geneseo and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from SUNY Brockport. 

Miss Donroe is a Long Island native and has always known she wanted to be a teacher. In her classroom is a picture from her childhood that states, “Olivia Donroe, Future Third-Grade Teacher.” Miss Donroe enjoys crafting, cooking, and staying active.  

Danielle Fedrigo is returning Brighton High School as an English teacher. She did her student teaching at BHS. Ms. Fedrigo loves getting to know students, their personalities, interests, and goals. She wants to build a community where every student can develop, not only as readers and writers, but as holistic people. Kathryn Muniz is her mentor. 

Ms. Fedrigo earned a B.A. in English and American Sign Language and M.S. in adolescence education from the University of Rochester. She is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Northeastern Seminary. 

In her free time, she loves to read, bake, and spend time outside, especially on the water. When reading for fun, she enjoys poetry and Agatha Christie mysteries. People are often surprised to learn that she has an identical twin and was a math minor in college. 

Juliette Frischmann is a fourth-grade teacher at French Road Elementary School. She previously was a substitute teacher in Geneseo and Palmyra-Macedon schools. Ms. Frischmann enjoys supporting a community of learners as they thrive and watching students discover, collaborate, and grow. She also will be helping to coach the girls varsity soccer team. Meg McSweeney is her mentor. 

Ms. Frischmann earned a B.S. in early childhood/childhood education and M.S. in literacy from SUNY Geneseo. 

She is a Brighton graduate and is thrilled to be teaching in the District. Ms. Frischmann enjoys soccer, skiing, and traveling. She’s a vanilla chai enthusiast and loves to read and visit bookstores. Ms. Frischmann has a cat named Calvin. 

Zachary Gilson is a special education teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School. He previously was a substitute teacher in other districts. Mr. Gilson enjoys fostering an insatiable desire for knowledge in his students. Natalie Smith is his mentor. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from SUNY Cortland. 

Mr. Gilson just moved to the area from Long Island. He has a black belt, loves musicals, and is a cat lover. 

Isabella Harris is a long-term substitute fourth-grade teacher at French Road Elementary School.  She previously was a student teacher and substitute teacher at FRES. Miss Harris enjoys building relationships with students and seeing them grow as individuals socially, emotionally, and academically. Jessica Willis is her mentor. 

She earned B.S. in childhood inclusive education from SUNY Brockport. 

Miss Harris is a life-long Brighton resident and graduate of Brighton High School. Her dream job growing up was to become a teacher in Brighton, so she’s thrilled to be at FRES. Miss Harris loves to be active and is a huge Buffalo Bills fan. She has a Boston terrier, Oliver. 

Becca Jamison is a long-term substitute art teacher at Brighton High School. She previously taught at Greece and Gates middle schools and Aquinas. Miss Jamison enjoys seeing students express themselves, their ideas, and gaining the confidence to do so. She will also be the District Theatrical Set Designer. Katie Maley is her mentor. 

Miss Jamison earned both a B.F.A. in Fine Arts and B.F.A. in Theater from Mount Vernon Nazareth University and an M.S.Ed. in art education from Nazareth University. 

She has been to 35 of the U.S. states, as well as Russia, Scotland, England, and Germany. In her free time, Miss Jamison enjoys drawing, writing, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and cuddling with her poodle, Otto. 

Bryn Kowba is a special education teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School. She previously taught special education in several other districts. Ms. Kowba loves creating lessons that are meaningful and accessible to all learners. She also enjoys building strong relationships with students along the way. Lynne Bell is her mentor. 

Ms. Kowba earned a B.S. in history and education and M.S. in literacy education from SUNY Brockport. 

She has a golden retriever named Acadia. Ms. Kowba loves to travel and her most recent trip abroad was to Rome. She ran two half marathons in 2024. 

Manuela Mitchell is an English as a New Language teacher at Brighton High School. She previously taught Spanish and English as a New Language in Wiliamson schools. Mrs. Mitchell enjoys building meaningful relations with students and helping them grow both academically and personally. Jennifer Wheeler is her mentor. 

She earned a B.A. in Spanish and M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Nazareth University. 

Mrs. Mitchell is a foodie who loves discovering new flavors and cuisines. She enjoys traveling whenever she can to explore new places and cultures. 

Abbey Monahan is a third-grade teacher at French Road Elementary School. She previously taught in Letchworth schools. Miss Monahan enjoys getting to know her students each year. Sara Tosto is her mentor. 

She earned a B.S. in early childhood/childhood education and M.S. in literacy education from SUNY Fredonia.  

Miss Monahan loves to spend time outside with her family and dog, Murphy. She enjoys hiking, going for morning walks, crafting, and creating decals for shirts and water bottles. Miss Monahan is an assistant coach for the SUNY Geneseo women’s basketball team. 

Peter Pistilli is a school psychologist at French Road Elementary School. He previously was a school psychologist in Rochester, Victor, and Monroe #1 BOCES schools. Mr. Pistilli’s favorite part of his job is being entrusted by the public to help their children become all that they can be. Kira Charlton is his mentor. 

He earned a B.A. in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and both an M.A. and certificate of advanced studies in school psychology from Alfred University. Mr. Pistilli is currently pursuing a certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership from SUNY Oswego. 

Mr. Pistilli's wife, Katie, is a supervisor and music therapist at Harmony Creative Therapy. They have a cat, Colby. They enjoy renovating their house, gardening, mountain biking, rock climbing, foraging, and black walnut/maple sugaring. Mr. Pistilli also enjoys automotive and motorcycle work and welding. 

Beth Sawyer is a special education teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School. She previously taught in Keshequa and at Our Lady of Mercy. Ms. Sawyer enjoys helping students find success every day. Denise Mantell is her mentor. 

She earned a B.S. in elementary and special education and M.S. in education from SUNY Geneseo. 

Ms. Sawyer grew up in Geneseo. She has a son and a daughter, plus a jack russell terrier named Lola. Ms. Sawyer loves to bake, is an avid reader, and enjoys spending time with her family. 
 

Angelina Shimkus is a first-grade teacher at Council Rock Primary School. She previously taught in Webster and at Rochester Prep Charter School. Mrs. Shimkus loves getting to play a role in helping students feel seen and valued in the classroom. She enjoys creating a space where students know their worth and feel comfortable to take risks. Melissa Allen is her mentor. 

Mrs. Shimkus earned a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from SUNY Geneseo and master’s degree in special education from Nazareth University. 

Having two daughters at Council Rock and FRES, she loves being a part of the Brighton community. Mrs. Shimkus is grateful to now be a teacher in the District. She loves traveling and reading and has taught fitness classes for over 15 years. 

Anvitha Shoroff is a chemistry teacher at Brighton High School. She enjoys getting to know her students and what makes them click, building students' belief in themselves and connecting it back to their subject area focus. Karen Blodgett is her mentor. 

Ms. Shoroff earned a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Rochester and is currently pursuing an M.S. in adolescence education from the University of Rochester. 

She was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area, but has spent most of her adult life in Rochester. Mrs. Shoroff loves to sing and studied carnatic classical music in her early years, but sang in several choir ensembles and performed original college acapella arrangements. In her free time, she enjoys working on a knitting project while snuggling with her cat, Luna. Before teaching, Mrs. Shoroff worked in specialty coffee, so you can usually find her drinking a different kind of coffee every day. 

Meaghan McTammany Stambaugh is a music teacher at French Road Elementary School. She previously was the band director at Avon, Pavilion, and Aquinas. Mrs. Stambaugh loves the light bulb moments with students when something they’ve been working hard on clicks. She also loves hearing the progression of how much students have learned in a whole year. Dr. Sarah Fischer-Croneis is her mentor. 

Mrs. Stambaugh earned a B.M. in music education from Ithaca College and M.M. in music education from SUNY Fredonia. She also has a certificate in traditional flute performance from the University of Limerick in Ireland. 

She loves reading and you can often find her at area public libraries. Mrs. Stambaugh is a certified yoga teacher and enjoys bringing mindfulness activities into band rehearsals. Flute is her primary instrument and she loves playing in a variety of groups in the Rochester area. Mrs. Stambaugh enjoys being outdoors and exploring the area with her husband and 2-year-old son. 
 

Aliza Stein is a first-grade teacher at Council Rock Primary School. She previously taught in New York City schools. Ms. Stein loves being part of the extraordinary growth that happens in a first-grade classroom. Ali Gaenzle is her mentor. 

She earned a B.S. in early childhood and elementary education from Bucknell University and M.A. in educational studies from the University of Michigan. 

The Pittsford native is excited to return to Rochester after spending four years in college, two years in Lithuania, one year in Michigan, and the last 11 years in Brooklyn. Ms. Stein will miss New York City pizza, but the Pontillo’s in Bushnell’s Basin is hard to beat! 
 

Gabriel Traina is a first-grade teacher at Council Rock Primary School. He previously was a paraprofessional in the building. Mr. Traina enjoys building a classroom community and fostering relationships. Rebecca Rizzo is his mentor. 

He earned a B.S. in business administration from Buffalo State University and M.S. in inclusive childhood education from St. John Fisher University. 

Mr. Traina was born in Florida, but grew up in Irondequoit where he now lives with his partner, Chris. They have two cats, Goober and Obi-Wan, plus saltwater and freshwater fish tanks. They started a garden tour so they could share their yard with the community at igardenwalks.com. Mr. Traina’s hobbies include gardening, reef keeping, and running.

Brienne Westfall is a special education teacher at Brighton High School. She loves seeing aha moments when students really begin to understand and relate to what they are learning. Laurie Sidare is her mentor. 

Ms. Westfall earned a B.A. in history and journalism from SUNY Purchase College. She is currently pursuing an M.S.Ed. in social studies and inclusive education from SUNY Brockport. 

In college, Ms. Westfall was a dual-sport athlete in swimming and lacrosse. From that, she learned teamwork and dedication which she plans to bring to teaching. In her free time, Ms. Westfall enjoys reading, seeing new places, coaching, and exploring the outdoors.