2025-2026 Media Literacy Project Grant

​

Grant winners for 2025-2026

Catherine Lynch, Miller Place Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Evan DeNaro, Deer Park Union Free School District, Western Suffolk BOCES

Jade Turdik and Amy McGlone, Brentwood Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Morgan O'Reilly, Mount Sinai Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

 

​

​

Grant winners for 2024-2025

​[presentations linked]

​​

Amanda Schroeder, Avon Central School District, Genesee Valley BOCES

Krisha Greene, Pulaski Academy and Central School District, O2CM BOCES SLS

Kristine Miller, Glens Falls City School District, WSWHE BOCES

Mark Hilburger, Greece Central School District, Monroe 2 BOCES

​Mary Patroulis, Fayetteville-Manlius School District, O2CM BOCES SLS

Sarina LaTorre-Sicurella and Carrie Stueber, Rocky Point Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

​

​

About the Grant:

The New York State Educational Media/Technology Association provides annual Media Literacy Grants in the amount of $1,250 for certified teachers in New York State who are working with Pre-K-12 students on media literacy.  Eligible educators must work in a district that participates in the media service at a BOCES or Big 5 that is an EMTA member. Media Literacy is defined as the ability to comprehend, design, and produce media. It includes critical thinking skills used to evaluate and analyze information in a variety of formats. Media Literacy is essential to be able to distinguish between fact and fiction.

​

The purposes of the grant are to:

• Support educators who provide resources and services that correlate to state and national learning standards for instructional excellence promoting media literacy.

• To provide funds for research projects or demonstration projects that can be replicated in other areas across the state and nation.

​

Examples include:

• A film literacy course held after school

• Learning about the effective creation and use of media in student work

• Using video effectively in your lesson plans       ​

​

 

Past Grant Recipients:

 

2023-2024 [presentations linked]

• Debra Cavaliere, Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, Western Suffolk BOCES

• Tara Lallbachan, Brentwood Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Jenna Landon, Cato-Meridian Central School District, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

• Kelsey LaPort, Sayville Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Jessica Sciarrone and Rachel Hludzinski, Rocky Point Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Melissa Slater, Chenango Forks Central School District, Broome-Tioga BOCES

​​

 * School Librarians United speak with Kelsey Laport on Episode 343 Building Media Skills Through Video Production, October 31, 2025

2022-2023

• Carissa Smith, Southern Cayuga Central School District, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

• Lindsey Valentine, Ossining Union Free School District, Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES​

• Melissa McParland, Hauppauge Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES
   

2021-2022​

• Amanda Eighmey, Pavilion Central School District, Genesee Valley BOCES

• Karen Fenner, Westhill Central School District, Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES 

• Anne Lotito-Schuh, Deer Park Union Free School District, Western Suffolk BOCES

​

2020-2021

• Amelia Estevez-Creedon, Riverhead Central School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Michelle Robinson, Smithtown Central School District, Western Suffolk BOCES 

• Deborah Nobles, Spencerport Central School District, Monroe 2 BOCES

 

2019-2020

• Julia DeMaio, Connetquot Central School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

• Michael Neumire, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES

• Jessica Jacobs-Broedel, Morrisville-Eaton Central School District, Madison-Oneida BOCES

​

2018-19:

• Shauna Stiles, Maine-Endwell Central School District, Broome-Tioga BOCES

• Leslie Cartier, Baldwinsville Central School District, Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES

​

2017-18:

• Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville Central School District, Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES

• Tonya Lackey, Westport Central School District, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES

• Christine Santimaw, Central Square Central School District, CiTi BOCES

 

2016-17: 

• Roma Mattott, South Lewis Central School District, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES

• Karen Tomidy & Laura Hann, Attica Central School District, Genesee Valley BOCES

• Amelia White & Ellen Richmond, Letchworth Central School District, Genesee Valley BOCES

​​

2015-16: Tina Laramie, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District, Madison-Oneida BOCES

2014-15: Lisa LaBrake et. al., Sweet Home Central School District, Erie 1 BOCES

2013-14: 

• Maria Muhlbauer, Steven Zabaldo & Michael Herron, Pioneer Central School District, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES

• Kristina Holzweiss, Bay Shore Union Free School District, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

 

2012-13: 

• Mary Alice Brunell & Rory Malone, Oswego City School District, CiTi BOCES

• Jennifer Flower, Argyle Central School District, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES

 

2011: Nick Lawrence, East Bronx Academy
 

2010: Randal Tyner, Jackson Heights Elementary, Glens Falls City School District, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES

​

2009: Lisa LaBrake and Peter Dobmeier, Sweet Home Central School District, Erie 1 BOCES
 

2008: Madonna Figura, Wellsville Central School District, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES

​

2007: Peter Mahan, Hannibal Central School District, CiTi BOCES

​