Kevin McIntyre

Yes

For a guy who never went out for sports in High School life changed when I began teaching. For the first couple of years I coached JV Wrestling. Then I worked with our Downhill Skiing program.

As a class advisor, I began programs in our school that were modeled after PHS - Senior Banquet and Spirit Week. These programs started in 1975 and continue through today. I also began High School Musical productions in 1978. I directed 8 of them and they continue through today.

When I retired from the classroom in 2008, I became a National Consultant for a California-based educational company and traveled throughout the continental US and Canada teaching teachers. I did that for 7 years as well as being a student Teacher Supervisor for SUNY Oneonta. Following that I worked for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES as a Science Education Consultant working with K-12 educators (it was a different feeling when I did a workshop for the Science Faculty at PHS - Wow!)

I’m now in Wimauma, Florida (near Tampa) where I’m writing to publish and enjoying life. I occasionally make it back to the Hudson Valley. I like Florida but still love the Hudson Valley and New York (except the taxes 😊)

I enjoy racquetball, T'ai Chi, cycling, hiking, swimming. All these activities plus my family keep me very busy.

I've learned certain things in life that have changed my outlook. 1) Life is difficult - Accept this and move on 2) Life is like a minefield. If you're going to walk through it - follow someone 3) Life is also like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes. 4) There are Friends and there are "Friends" (Thank you Facebook for helping me distinguish between them.) The door to Friends is always open. But, you have my trust - abuse it and lose it. Never make someone a priority in your life when you are an option in theirs. Life is neither "good" nor "bad". It is what you decide. If you don't like it - change it. And while you really can't change people you can change yourself. So, re-invent who you are and find those you can love and will love you in return. They may be family. They may be friends. It's always your choice. YOU choose the life you want by choosing how to deal with the circumstances you are given. The most important gifts we exchange are love and respect. This always begins with a smile, in my book. Choose who you are and choose wisely. The most precious gift we have to give....? Time.

B.S. - SUNY Plattsburgh 1973 Education - Biology/General Science Grades 6-12
M.S. - SUNY New Paltz 1986 Educational Administration
Took an additional 100+ credits and have taught Graduate Courses for 3 Universities as well as became a National Trainer for Kagan Professional Development traveling the U.S. and Canada training teachers how to engage students in the classroom. Currently,
I worked as an independent Science Consultant for PNW BOCES with their Science-21 program. In the program I work on curriculum writing for grades K-5 as well as train Elementary teachers how to teach Science.

For 13 years I volunteered with the Boy Scouts. My son, Christopher, is 24, an Eagle Scout. I have served as Den Leader, Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster.

The last 40+ years have been a wild ride with tremendous ups and downs. Overall, I couldn't be more blessed! I'm truly thankful for all the people I have met in my life. They have motivated me in one way or another. I've learned that even in the worst scenarios you can develop a strength and fortitude to help you in future situations. Mr. Sullivan's Geometry class taught me more than just how to solve a proof. I am the sum total of all my experiences. But, I'll move that one step up and look to Synergy. Working with great teams of people it's easy to realize we are greater than the sum total of all those involved. The seeds of greatness are in each one of us. The right people and situations provide the key ingredients to promote their growth. Keep finding new challenges. Overcome the "speed bumps in the road" be they people or situations. Know where you derive your strength. And that's a simple process -- just close your eyes. Imagine yourself in a race. Look to the sidelines of those cheering for you. Be deaf to the critics. They're just the Crabs in the Basket that try to hold you back. Life is neither Good nor Bad. It just "IS". We make of it what we want. "If someone doesn't want to learn - no one can make them. If someone WANTS to learn - no one can stop them!"