Lisa Kissinger

President

president@nyscss.org

Lisa Kissinger was elected to serve as President in 2022. Her term will end June 30, 2026.  Lisa is the Academic Administrator for Social Studies, Grades 6-12, for Shenendehowa Central School District.  A native New Yorker graduating from Binghamton Central High School, Lisa has worked in education in Maryland and New York.  Lisa currently leads a Social Studies department of 47 educators and has led curriculum and professional development for teachers at the building, district, regional and state level. Lisa has served as the VP Member Outreach (2021-2022), 2022 NYSCSS Annual Convention Chair, Co-Chair of the NYSCSS Curriculum & Assessment committee (2016-2021), President of the New York State Social Studies Supervisory Association (2014-2019) and Program Co-Chair for numerous NYSCSS annual conventions since 2014.  Lisa earned a B.A. in Communication from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Instructional Systems Development and certification in secondary social studies from the University of Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore.  Lisa has done additional graduate coursework at Loyola College of Maryland, The College of St. Rose and the University of Albany.  Lisa is committed to civic education and is a member of the DemocracyReady NY Coalition and served on the NYSED Civic Readiness Task Force.  In 2018, Lisa coordinated and edited the New York League of Women Voters' project to publish lesson plans on state and local government.  Lisa resides in Albany. 

Vice President of Policy & Administration

vppolicyadmin@nyscss.org

This Board position is currently vacant. 

Erik Olander

Vice President of Member Outreach

vpmemberoutreach@nyscss.org

Erik Olander has been elected to serve as our Vice President Member Outreach for the 2025-2027 school years. In this role, Erik will serve as the Convention Chair. Erik has served as the NYSCSS Secretary since 2019. Erik taught Social Studies courses at Niagara Falls High School for 26 years, and currently serves as Dean of students. Erik’s tenure as Secretary has equipped him with a deep understanding of the Council’s structure, goals, and membership dynamics, allowing him to seamlessly transition into the role of Vice President of Member Outreach.  Erik completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at Niagara University and a Master's Degree in Secondary Social Studies at Canisius College located in Buffalo, NY. Erik currently teaches Participation in Government, however throughout his 25 career has taught Global 9/10, Sociology, Psychology and AP Psychology. In addition to his teaching career, Erik previously served as the Secondary Vice President of the local teachers’ union, Niagara Falls Teachers #801 and was the chairperson of the Niagara Falls Political Action Committee. Through his union service, he also assisted on the Niagara Orleans Labor Council Political Action Committee and received the Union Champions at Work Award in 2019. Erik credits his wife, Julie and family for supporting him in all of his dedicated union and organizational service throughout his teaching career.

Timothy Potts

Treasurer

treasurer@nyscss.org

Tim Potts graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a BA in Secondary Social Studies. He also holds an MS Degree in Social Studies from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Tim has also completed additional graduate work at Cornell University. For 34 years, Tim has taught middle and high school Social Studies within the Monticello Central School District serving in various leadership positions. Tim has been a member of the council for 30 years and is a Past President (2012-13), former Middle School and Curriculum & Assessment Chair & Co-Chair. In 2005, he was awarded the NYSCSS Middle School Teacher Award.  Tim is the founding President of the Sullivan County Council for Social Studies in the 1990s.  During Tim's NYSCSS Presidency, he co-developed the NYSCSS Task Force to address the implementation of NYSED's SS Framework with other SS leaders statewide. Since 2015, Tim has held the position of the Treasurer and has updated and introduced new fiduciary practices making the Council's finances significantly stronger. He also serves as the chair of the Sites Committee which serves to locate & develop convention & conference locations. During the 2018 Convention, Tim was honored with the NYSCSS Distinguished Service Award for his years of service to the profession & organization. Tim was a member of the New York State Education Department’s Content Advisory Panel for Social Studies since its inception in 2011 to 2018 chairing the Curriculum & Assessment portion of the panel. Rounding out his service to his profession, Tim is also active in the leadership of the National Council for the Social Studies serving a second three year term on the board of the National Social Studies Leaders Association as a teacher liaison.

  Secretary     secretary@nyscss.org 

This Board position is currently vacant. 

Jim Mendonis

Member-At-Large 

memberatlarge@nyscss.org

Demetrios (Jim) Mendonis has been elected to serve as Member-at-Large. James brings 28 years of experience and a deep passion for both the teaching of history and the cultivation of civic awareness to his role on the Board of Directors. James currently serves as Director of Social Studies and 21st Century Learning in the East Meadow School District on Long Island. James has been the co-chair of the NYSCSS Technology Committee since 2023.  Jim earned his BA in Communication Arts and Sciences / Media Studies from CUNY at Queens College; an  M.S. Ed. - Secondary Education in Social Studies 7-12, CUNY at Queens College and two post-Masters Advanced Certificates as a School District and School Building Leader at CUNY at Queens College. Jim is an Adjunct Lecturer, Adolescent / Education Department – Adelphi University and has also taught at St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue.  Jim was the Social Studies Department Leader at North Shore High School prior to joining East Meadow, and taught Social Studies at Jericho High School. He resides on Long Island. 

Tom Michalek

Growing up in Western New York I was not what you considered a model student. By the time I reached high school I had attended two elementary schools, a junior high and then St. Francis High school in Athol Springs. I graduated with honors after having turned my life around, I credit this change to my teachers who modeled perseverance. My public and private experience would carry over professionally when I began my career as an elementary educator at St. James in Depew. Living in Albany since 1997 and teaching public education at Bethlehem, I now feel I have a unique perspective from both sides of the desk. Additionally, teaching in both Western New York and the Capital District has given me a different point of view in my professional experiences as well. Other qualifications worth noting include NYS certifications in Social Studies 7-12, English 7-12, Elementary Pre-K-12, Special Education, Superintendent Administration, and COMPTIA computer credentials in A+ and Network +. These credentials, as well as my 28 years experience in the classroom, continue to prepare me professionally to help guide successful students. Taking on leadership roles in the Boy Scouts, serving as a union building representative, and technology coach for Bethlehem CSD have reinforced my drive with helping others in my community.