Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers

09/02/2026

Our union members across the district showed spirit and solidarity by repping their new PMCT logo shirt during yesterday’s conference day! We hope everyone had a terrific first day of school! 🌊💪

09/01/2026

Thank you to the volunteers who helped hand out our new PMCT shirts to members today! It was great to see everyone at our first meeting of the school year.

Remember to wear your new shirt tomorrow to help show the strength and solidarity of our union. Consider taking pictures with your colleagues and emailing them to PMCT’s publications team to be featured in the SpeakOut or socials!

08/31/2026

Happy first day back! 🎉

Have any before-and-after photos of your classroom setup? Send them to the publications email! We’d love to show off the hard work our members invest in creating comfortable and engaging learning spaces for students, often on their own time.

Have a great Superintendent’s Conference Day and we’ll see you all at this afternoon’s meeting. Don’t forget your donation!

08/31/2026

Please remember to bring your donation with you to the PMCT meeting tomorrow! Have a great last night of summer and we’ll see you tomorrow!

We hope everyone is enjoying their last week of summer break! As usual, PMCT will be holding its Back-to-School Food Drive and we would love to get 100% participation on Superintendent’s Conference Days (8/31 & 9/1)! To help vary the items we receive, we’ve assigned a suggested donation category to each building. Please consider bringing in the applicable item (or whatever you can donate) when you come in on Monday. Let’s start the school year off by giving back!

08/28/2026

The PMCT Executive Board and chairpersons enjoyed welcoming our newest members to the district at the New Hire Orientation yesterday! Good luck next week to our newest members and remember the importance of your union. PMCT is here for you!

08/26/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying their last week of summer break! As usual, PMCT will be holding its Back-to-School Food Drive and we would love to get 100% participation on Superintendent’s Conference Days (8/31 & 9/1)! To help vary the items we receive, we’ve assigned a suggested donation category to each building. Please consider bringing in the applicable item (or whatever you can donate) when you come in on Monday. Let’s start the school year off by giving back!

07/23/2026

Our retiree, Michael Rudnicki, loved his wife Susan Rudnicki’s retirement post so much, he wanted to do one too! So, let’s hear it for one more 2026 retiree! 👏

Mike Rudnicki worked in Patchogue-Medford for 28 years. He’s taught Band at PMHS, Saxton, Oregon, South Ocean, Eagle & River! His fondest memory is each new year...starting fresh. His advice to a new teacher is to “Remember your 'why'. It's so important. It's personal. No one can take that from you.” Thank you for your years of dedication and passion, Michael. PMCT wishes you a very happy new chapter! 🎉🎵🤗

07/11/2026

Last but certainly not least, PMCT would like to congratulate two final members, Catherine Spiller and Michelle Ragonese, on their retirements! 🎉

Catherine has taught grades 2-5 at River and Barton over her 30 years working in the district. Her fondest memory is seeing her former students ready to graduate during the Senior Walkthrough. She is most looking forward to being able to travel whenever she wants in retirement! The advice that she leaves new teachers with is that today’s classrooms can be challenging, so remember that if you are working hard and doing your best, that’s all you can do. Thank you, Catherine, for your years of dedication! PMCT wishes you a very happy retirement!

Michelle has worked as a Special Ed self-contained, ICT, resource room, and general education grade 3 teacher throughout her 30 years at Eagle, Saxton, Tremont, and Canaan. In retirement, Michelle is excited for more time with her family and friends, and the time to enjoy life’s simple moments. She looks forward to new adventures and traveling. When asked about her fondest memory, Michelle said the following: “When I reflect on my 30 years in this district, I don’t think of just one single moment. My fondest memories are the people – the incredible teachers, many administrators, staff, and my students. It’s the hallway conversations, the shared smiles, the team effort during challenging times like Covid, and the quiet moments when a student finally believed in themselves that will stay with me most. Being a part of this community has been a gift!” When asked what advice she would give to a new teacher, Michelle stated: “My advice to new teachers would be to build relationships first—everything else will follow. Take the time to truly know your students and your colleagues. The connections you make will carry you through the hard days and make the good days unforgettable. Give yourself grace. You won’t get everything perfect, and that’s okay. Teaching is learned over time, through patience, reflection and heart. Stay flexible, keep a sense of humor, and never forget why you started. The impact you make may not always be visible right away, but it matters more than you know!” Very well said, Michelle. PMCT thanks you for your years of dedication and wishes you the best in your well-earned new chapter!

07/10/2026

PMCT would like to congratulate two more members, Sharon Schelberg and Katie Gersbeck, on their retirements! 🎉

Sharon spent most of her 20 years in the district working at River Elementary, though she also spent 3 years in Canaan and 2 in Eagle. She taught grades K through 3 over the course of her career. Her fondest memory is working with a very ill student and seeing the empathy of the other students in his class. In retirement, Sharon is looking forward to traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. She would tell new teachers to enjoy the students and get to know them! Thank you, Sharon, for your years of dedication. PMCT wishes you the very best in this new chapter!

Katie was hired in 1991, however took several years off to be at home with her kids. She worked most of her career at Saxton Middle School, but has also taught at Tremont, Canaan, Bay, and PMHS, teaching every grade from kindergarten to ninth in a variety of subjects. When asked what her fondest memory is, Katie says that her time at Saxton and the people there will always hold a special place in her heart; however, when she taught the kindergarten 8:1:1 at Canaan, those students she will remember for a lifetime. In retirement, Katie is looking forward to spending time with family and traveling not on a school break! The advice that she would give to a new teacher is to have flexibility—so many things happen out of your control and you need to be open to that and be able to pivot effortlessly. Well said! PMCT thanks you, Katie, for your years of dedication and we wish you the best in your exciting new chapter!

07/09/2026

PMCT would like to congratulate two more members, Lisa Kovitz and Phyllis Cattel, on their retirements! 🎉

Lisa worked for 24 years in the Patchogue-Medford School District, in Oregon, Saxton, South Ocean, and PMHS, teaching Reading across grades six through nine. Lisa recalls her fondest memory was “after an assembly called Rachel‘s challenge. At the event, the speaker asked everyone attending to take a moment to think of someone who impacted their life in a major way. Then he told everyone to write that person a letter, thanking them and telling them how they changed their life for the better by being in their life. I was surprised to receive nine letters from former students. Not just a quick thanks, but 2-3 page letters. As teachers, we don’t always see how powerful we can be in shaping the futures of our students. Sometimes our brief interaction impacts who they become…” Well said! In retirement, Lisa is looking forward to going on a vacation and remodeling her home. Advice that she would give a new teacher is to take the first 2 to 3 weeks to get to know your students well. It makes the rest of the year run smoothly and lets the kids know you care. PMCT thanks you, Lisa, for your years of dedication, and we wish you the very best on your exciting new chapter!

Phyllis has worked in Canaan and River, teaching grades one through four over her 31 year career at PMSD. Her fondest memories are all of the memories she’s shared with the wonderful friends she’s made during her time at River. In retirement, Phyllis is most looking forward to spending time with her family and traveling. Advice that she would give new teachers is to enjoy every minute and know that you are making a difference. PMCT thanks you, Phyllis, for your years of dedication! We wish you the best on your exciting next step!