Bill Tiberio has taught instrumental music in Fairport for more than 30 years. A Fairport graduate himself, Bill has been extremely influential in the lives of hundreds of students over his extensive career. He has fostered the love of music with his students over that time. A fellow Fairport educator says, “Bill has been a fantastic example to all of his students and colleagues as a caring and empathetic teacher and person.” Bill’s love of music education is so well-known and respected that even colleagues who teach in other districts are admirers of his work. His colleagues say everything he does is done with compassion and the highest standard of excellence. Bill is also an adjunct professor at The University of Rochester, Ithaca College and SUNY Geneseo.

Patrice Cantwell retired in the summer of 2021 after 24 years with the Fairport Central School District. She finished her tenure at Fairport as the Principal’s Secretary at Minerva DeLand. Her former colleagues called Patrice a beacon of positivity and realness within Minerva DeLand’s main office. A former colleague said, “Patrice worked tirelessly to triage kids who were in crisis, advocate for her coworkers and was truly the lifeblood of a unique and busy building.” The team at Minerva DeLand say Patrice loves to celebrate people's accomplishments (big or small) and to help out in any way possible. Her former colleagues say Patrice has an innate way of making the most difficult days seem carefree. Says a former coworker: “Patrice keeps everyone on schedule and on track, and does so with the best sense of humor.”

Debra (Debbie) Doherty retired in 2021 after 20+ years with the Fairport Central School District. She retired as Assistant Principal Secretary of the Red House Office at Fairport High School. Her colleagues describe her as dedicated to staff and students; a person who takes care of everyone around her in so many ways. Students remember Debbie long after they graduate. A former coworker says of Debbie: “[S]he embodies the school and district culture and genuinely cares for everyone she works with.” Debbie has great empathy and worked to foster connection with students who faced tremendous challenges. Her former coworkers say they will remember her in Fairport as is a quiet influence who leads by example.

Kate Kar was a Fairport High School English Teacher and Alternative Education Coordinator and worked in the District for 15 years before her retirement in 2020. Kate’s commitment to her general education students was evident daily, as she often challenged students with project-based learning that expanded their English skills and 21st Century technology skills. Her colleagues said Kate made strong connections with her students. Kate had dedicated the past few years to ensuring all of the alternative education students had access to things that many of the other students may have taken for granted. She treated all of her students, and particularly those who needed it most, as if they were her own children. A fellow Fairport High School colleague said, “Kate possesses selflessness, empathy, creativity, and a strong sense of community, all values that we celebrate in our Fairport community.”

John Kidd joined the Fairport CSD in 1995 as a school bus driver, and worked his way up to the position of driver trainer/safety coordinator and most recently head bus driver. John is very effective working with students, parents, school staff members, and administrators. He is active within the Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association locally and across the state with the New York Association for Pupil Transportation. Safety as a key foundational principle in conducting his professional duties. He accurately maintains Fairport’s safety files for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV) and New York State Department of Education (NYSED). A colleague says of John: “[T]he last safety audit conducted by NYSDMV was excellent due to John's oversight.” His coworkers say his genuine care for student safety comes through the phone and he has been extremely effective in communicating with parents who have questions about transportation for their children.