Teacher Appreciation Week 2026: Bengal Connections

Buffalo State education alumni are everywhere-from classrooms right here in Western New York to ones across the country and world. Because the university's network is so vast, it's not uncommon for current Buffalo State teacher candidates to complete their student teaching requirements under the mentorship of a fellow Bengal.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we caught up with some of these Bengal pairs to hear how a shared foundation manifests in the classroom.

Alex Rivas Ayala, a senior music education major, is currently student teaching with Sara Martinez, '12, '16, who holds a bachelor's and master's degree in music education and is currently a music teacher at Charter High School for Applied Technology.

Alex Rivas Ayala and Sara Martinez

How does a Buffalo State education prepare you for teaching in the real world?

Alex Rivas Ayala: I have been given lots of opportunities to practice my pedagogical skills out in the field with a variety of grade levels. The high standards my professors held me to, I now hold myself accountable for, which has made me very responsible and driven in my student teaching placements.

Sara Martinez: Similar to Alex, I had a lot of field experience in local classrooms, music organizations, and conferences with other music educators. All the clubs and associations I was a part of gave me the hands-on learning to fill my tool bag of teaching tricks! I also learned so much from my voice teacher, Ms. Carolyn Jolley, while doing my undergrad, and her teaching style and pedagogy still impact my teaching today.

What's it like working with someone who also went through Buffalo State?

ARA: We both take major inspiration from our perspective voice teachers. We have a similar stance on repertoire selection and the music and composers that reflect our students and their backgrounds.

SM: My main teaching philosophy is "student first, musician second," and the aspiring teachers I meet out of Buffalo State feel the same way. We prioritize the students as humans first and ensure that they have a safe space to be creative, musical, and messy. Students that feel comfortable and safe will be higher achieving, less afraid to take risks, and typically put a lot more effort into their studies and the music program. Plus, it has been fun reminiscing on past professors and classes and seeing what has changed in the department!

Alex Bianchi, '20, holds a bachelor's degree in childhood education and is a current student in the Christmann Family Educational Leadership Program. He is a first grade teacher at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. He is mentoring student teacher and current Buffalo State senior Madison Butyneski.

Alex Bianchi and Madison Butyneski

How does a Buffalo State education prepare you for teaching in the real world?

Alex Bianchi: Buffalo State made sure I was in classrooms frequently to experience realistic expectations and understand all aspects of teaching. I am thankful for getting to experience so many different types of schools from private parochial schools to charters to public schools, each setting provided part of the teacher I am today. The professors at Buffalo State are realistic yet rigorous and make sure we are well prepared to enter the field.

What's it like working with someone who also went through Buffalo State?

AB: Mentoring a student who is going through the same program at Buffalo State brings its own unique connection and deeper understanding of the experience. I recall my own experiences and what I found beneficial and draw upon that experience when mentoring. There is an immediate advantage due to that shared understanding. I have mentored others as student teachers who are not from Buffalo State, and see and feel a difference.

What made you decide to return to Buffalo State to pursue a certificate in educational leadership?

AB: The decision was largely due to the passion and connection I have for the institution itself. I chose to pursue this certificate after an exploratory course at BOCES that guided me down the leadership pathway. I feel that no matter how I ultimately apply this to my career, whether through principalship, district administration, or remaining in the classroom, I have already gained a much deeper understanding of the educational system as a whole and the intricacies that are within it. As I currently sit roughly halfway through the program, I can say that the comfort I took in knowing that Buff State would provide a quality program was absolutely true. Learning in-person from experts in the field with valuable experience to share has far exceeded what any other online program would have been able to offer, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to pursue continued education at Buffalo State.

Estefeny Vargas, a senior early childhood and childhood education major is student teaching with Roger Souza, '24, who holds a master's degree in multidisciplinary studies. Souza is fourth grade teacher at School of the Nations in Brasília, Brazil.

Roger Souza and Estefeny Vargas

How does a Buffalo State education prepare you for teaching in the real world, especially in an international setting?

Estefeny Vargas: Buffalo State prepared me immensely for student teaching. I started doing field placements as early as my freshman year for one of my classes; getting acclimated to the classroom environment helped calm my nerves. The professors that I've had have been so knowledgeable, kind, and honest, and have always provided feedback in a kind and reflective way that expanded my thought process. Prior to my international travel, I had weekly meetings with the professor I was going to travel with to talk about the importance of being culturally responsive and had virtual meetings with administration of the School of the Nations.

Roger Souza: My time at Buffalo State prepared me for my career by challenging me to grow personally and professionally. It also helped me understand the importance of collaboration, as well as using research and data analysis to make informed decisions.

What's it like working with someone who also went through Buffalo State?

EV: It has been so rewarding and insightful. I have noticed many similarities between Roger and me. We share the beliefs of doing what is best for the students. For example, making sure our activities and lesson plans are inquiry-based learning, hands-on, and provide a series of opportunities for the students to demonstrate their knowledge through creative outlooks.

RS: It's an amazing experience because we had some of the same professors, and our teaching philosophies strongly aligned. Because of that shared background, we were able to establish a strong routine and work collaboratively by planning classes and activities together, as well as supporting each other while teaching.

EV: It has been a pleasure working alongside a fellow Bengal to bounce off ideas and create an atmosphere that is comfortable, safe, and good vibes, all day, everyday.

Hannah Wolf, a senior early childhood and childhood education major is student teaching with Emily Lukowski, '22, a graduate of Masters Including Initial Certification (MIITC) program in childhood education. Lukowski is a second grade teacher at South Buffalo Charter School.

Hannah Wolf and Emily Lukowski

How does a Buffalo State education prepare you for teaching in the real world?

Hannah Wolf: Buffalo State prepared me for student teaching by giving me a strong foundation in instructional strategies and student-centered learning. From the guidance of my professors and through hands-on field experiences, I've learned how to design engaging lessons, differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners, and create a supportive environment that inspires all students to reach their full potential.

Emily Lukowski: One of the most valuable aspects of my degree program was the hands-on experience I gained in real classrooms. Student teaching and field placements allowed me to apply what I was learning in a practical setting, reflect on my teaching, and grow with guidance from mentor teachers. My program emphasized the importance of building meaningful relationships and the creation of engaging lessons. This has directly influenced how I approach my classroom, ensuring that every student feels supported, respected, and capable of success. Before the MIITC program, I was in the finance world. Although it was quite the career change, I felt extremely supported throughout my time in the MIITC program, especially by professors like Dr. Reichenberg and Mrs. Schenk.

What's it like working with someone who also went to Buffalo State?

HW: Working alongside Emily has been such a privilege. I've learned so much from her dedication, passion, and strong work ethic, which has greatly influenced my own approach to teaching.

EL: Hannah consistently demonstrates exceptional care for her students, paired with a strong dedication to their growth and a genuine passion for teaching that is evident in everything she does.

HW: We share many of the same teaching philosophies, especially the importance of building a strong classroom community where we truly get to know each student to make them feel heard and valued. Our shared educational background allows us to easily collaborate/share ideas and engage our students in meaningful, effective ways.

EL: We both value creating an inclusive, student-centered environment and are intentional about differentiation and engagement. There's a common foundation in how we were trained to think about teaching-especially the emphasis on building strong classroom communities, fostering positive relationships, and meeting the needs of all learners. The "fellow Bengal" connection shows up in small but meaningful ways in our day-to-day work. There's a level of trust and familiarity that allows us to be open with feedback, problem-solve together, and push each other to grow.

HW: I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to learn from Emily each day and grow as an educator through her guidance and support.

EL: I am so lucky to be able to mentor a teacher like Hannah! She is truly an outstanding representative of Buffalo State.

In addition to these four pairs, there are even more Bengal student/teacher mentor teacher pairs working together right now:

• Cassie Dembski and Rebecca Recore-Holmes (West Seneca Elementary)
• Amanda Gagnon and Sarah Strohmeier (Orchard Park Middle School)
• Brianna Harris and Kate Nowinski (Armor Elementary)
• Kayla Harris and Jon Pawloski (Armor Elementary)
• Kaleigh Januchowski and Brenna McCabe (Discovery Elementary)
• Louise Long and Rachel Nati (Benjamin Franklin Elementary)
• Kathryn McGinnis and Jeffrey Buss (Forest Elementary)
• Abby Overacker and Katherine Santoro-Mol (Cheektowaga Middle School)
• Orianna Pritchett and Julianne Torre (Kenmore)
• Orianna Pritchett and Karen Saxon (City Honors)
• Jayd Rivera and Brianna Wherry (Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School)

Cyler Witherspoon and Adam Brigone (Orchard Park High School)

Photos courtesy of featured pairs.