After 22 years of teaching, including 18 at Port Byron Central School District, sixth-grade ELA teacher Amy Alcock is still having fun each and every day.

Alcock originally completed her student teaching at Port Byron before accepting a teaching position outside the district. After four years, Alcock returned to Port Byron in 2005 as a fifth-grade teacher, and then ultimately as the sixth-grade ELA teacher.

“It felt like a homecoming, returning to Port Byron. I was so excited to apply here,” she said. 

Alcock started her education at Cayuga Community College before transferring to Wells College. She then obtained her master’s degree at SUNY Oswego. Even prior to college, Alcock knew from a young age that teaching was something she wanted to do.

“I spent a lot of summers in high school lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons to kids. So, even at the age of 16, teaching swimming and watching those kids master a skill that I taught them was so fun and exciting,” she said. “And I thought, ‘I should really do this as a profession.’”

Alcock said she has greatly enjoyed her time teaching at Port Byron CSD, noting that the district is always progressively changing based on student needs.

“Port Byron is always changing for the better. From our athletic fields down to our STEM room, everything is state-of-the-art,” she said. “We’re always looking for the next, best thing.”

After more than two decades in the profession, Alcock said it is the students that help keep things fun.

“I love the kids and this age group. They’re funny, they have their own sense of humor, and they keep me on my toes,” Alcock said. “Plus, every year is a fresh start. What profession do you get to hit the reset button every September?”

When asked what advice she would give to a first-year teacher, Alcock said to not be afraid to try new things each and every year.

“Just last year, I used the Sphero Bots from our STEM classroom. I was very scared to try it, but I had a lot of support from the staff here, and we made it happen. And I couldn’t have been happier with the results,” she said. “It made me realize, even after 22 years in the profession, I have to be willing to get outside my comfort zone and try new things.”

Outside of work, Alcock enjoying attending her children’s sporting events and spending time with her family on Cayuga Lake.