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SPECIAL FEATURE
Donna DeSiato from page 27 these STEM programs in 2013, the same year its high school was recognized by Newsweek as one of the best in America. DeSiato also credits the strategic plan as an underlying instrument that has helped to stabilize the district’s graduation rate at around 92 percent, a figure that leaves out the students who have stayed in school until the age of 21 as a result of individualized special education plans. At this point, ESM tries not to be a “one-size-fits-all” school district, said DeSiato. In other words, niches are purposely carved out for everyone, if possible. “Students have the opportunity at ESM to really select their career pathway based on their interests, their aptitudes and their success in learning in certain areas that they want to continue to focus on,” she said. The comprehensive district contains a culinary arts curriculum and a financial literacy program with a fully operating studentled credit union. It also boasts a vocational class focusing on cosmetology, an automotive technology program called Spartan Garage wherein students rebuild classic cars, and a media and communications area with a “state-of-the-art” television studio built into the mainframe of the high school. In this studio, ESM students cover weather, news and sports for a morning show produced five days a week. This past winter, DeSiato managed to set herself apart and attract attention to the district for her use of whimsical video messages when announcing snow days. One such video featured a spin on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” specially tailored to reflect an impending blizzard, while another parodied the “Frosty the Snowman” jingle. The superintendent upholds the notion that these messages were meant to bring some wonderment to the equation during a period of remote learning. “Taking the liberty of making things more fun and appealing to youth makes a difference for our students,” DeSiato said. “You can never lose sight of our ability to have playfulness in our lives.” Before starting her current appointment, DeSiato was looking for a district she felt she could suit perfectly: one that met “all of the ingredients,” like the enjoyment of a caring school board, a highly helpful executive cabinet and a “tremendous” team of teachers. Now, with nearly 50 years in the field of education, she believes her match has been found. “I’m very grateful for my family and for the ESM community, and I’m grateful that I’m able to serve in the role of superintendent during these years,” DeSiato said. During her time as the East Syracuse Minoa superintendent, Dr. Donna DeSiato has received multiple honors, including the 2015 Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award, the 2016 STEM Woman of the Year Award granted by the CNY Stem Hub, and the STEM Outreach Individual of the Year 2020 Award presented by Technology Alliance of Central New York. With respect to future goals, DeSiato aims to restore previous levels of connectivity among students and staff members by way of orientations and the like once her district fully returns to in-person learning. SWM
All photos taken by Marcia Kelley
AUGUST 2021
On Friday, June 25, the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College held this year’s ESM graduation. DeSiato referred to the ceremony as a “Spartan spectacular.” TH E EDU C ATION EDITION
