Janet Bisti joins BOCES as its new Director of Educational Resources after serving as the Poughkeepsie City School District’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
While she comes from a family of educators, it was Bisti’s second grade teacher who cemented her love of teaching after being asked to read to second graders when she was in fourth grade. She witnessed the kind of impact she could have on students and was inspired by her teacher who was intentional in how she built up her students’ confidence, even when they were no longer students of hers.
“I probably couldn’t have put it into words when I was in fourth grade, but as I’ve reflected on that experience, I think that’s what drew me into education,” Bisti recalled. “In order to be a lifelong learner, I have to not only teach, but also learn from others.”
Bisti plans to see how New York State’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative shapes instructional, grading and assessment practices, as well as how it builds upon students’ strengths and expands the definition of what it means to be successful. She is also looking forward to providing ways to support teachers as they build their capacity and understanding of new state educational initiatives.
“It’s an exciting time to learn and grow and get back to the root of why we all became teachers,” Bisti said. “Being able to be a part of that in a wider capacity through BOCES is what really drew me in.”
Outside of Educational Resources, Bisti is an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz, teaching curriculum and assessment in secondary schools to pre-service teachers. She finds that it keeps her up to date on educational trends.
“We start off our semester with ‘Why did you want to become a teacher?’ and I get to explain why I became a teacher and it brings me back to all those important big ideas that sometimes get lost in the minutia of everyday administrative work,” Bisti explained. “My students are bright, bushy-tailed and excited to start teaching.”
Bisti holds a master’s of education in teacher leadership from Walden University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Russell Sage College. She enjoys reading, hiking with her husband and traveling when not working.
“I look forward to any vacation that I can grow and explore another culture,” Bisti said. “I would love to check out Asia.”