Spotlight on: Cole Cleary
Physical Education Teacher
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Q. What date did you start in the new role?
A. Sept. 8, 2026.
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Q. What is your background experience that led to this position?
A. I just graduated from Utica University with my master’s degree in health and physical education. I was able to student-teach at a few different school districts around the area that included Central Valley’s middle school as well as Herkimer Middle-High School. I have always loved sports, so I’m hoping to push my passion onto others!
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Q. What makes you excited about working in your new role at Herkimer CSD?
A. I was at Herkimer Middle-High School for 26 weeks total. The relationships from staff to staff or staff to student is so much different than every other district that I have been with. It is a situation where you feel seen and heard. Knowing that any teacher was willing to help with anything helped me as a starting teacher tremendously. At the Elementary School, I share an office with Mr. Holliday and we had worked together to coach varsity baseball last year, so he has been a great help to me constantly this year so far.
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Q. When did you first know you wanted to become a teacher and what made you feel that way?
A. I knew in about ninth grade that I wanted to be a PE teacher. What better life than to wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants every day, as well as constantly playing sports and helping students reach the best versions of themselves?
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Q. What do you think makes Herkimer CSD special?
A. The community and staff. The community really buys into what the school district and sports are trying to accomplish, which helps greatly. The staff have very open communication and minds, which allows for the pressure level to drop when approaching anyone for anything.
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