Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

At Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Outdoor Power Equipment and Powersports Technology teacher Todd Marcellus has dedicated years to helping students and values what he calls “the lightbulb moment,” when everything falls into place.

“When they finally figure out they can do something, I think that’s fun,” Marcellus said. “You see the expression on the kids’ faces when it all comes together.”

His own path at BOCES began in the same program, but in a different building, as a student in the Outdoor Power Equipment class at the old campus. Marcellus discovered his passion and talent for working on small engines and joined SkillsUSA, an organization that helps students build leadership skills and prepare for skilled careers. He served as treasurer of the group and advanced to the national competition in Kansas City.

Marcellus then studied Powersports Performance and Repair at SUNY Canton before working at a few different dealerships. Then, he took a teaching assistant position at BOCES, which was split between the Outdoor Power Equipment and Automotive Technology programs. Later, he was a co-teacher in the Trades Exploration program, then moved back to the Outdoor Power Equipment class as a teacher. This year marks his 21st school year at BOCES.

A particularly meaningful moment came when he found himself training a student in the same program he had once represented, bringing his journey full circle.

“A few years ago, I had a student– Harry Brown, from Cato-Meridian– he won the SkillsUSA state competition in Outdoor Power Equipment and got to go to Nationals. To me that was a crowning moment of my career, to teach a student what he needed to know to compete at the national level.”

Over the years, Marcellus has appreciated the guidance from experienced teachers in the Career and Technical Education Department and has used that knowledge to fine-tune the Outdoor Power Equipment program. One area of growth has been the certifications offered. When he was a student, there were no opportunities to earn them. Now, students can attain certifications in Briggs & Stratton, Stihl, Yamaha, Polaris, and Mercury Marine, providing a valuable advantage as they pursue careers in the field.

Marcellus encouraged new staff at BOCES to lean on their colleagues, particularly those who have been there for a while. “Ask teachers how they’re doing things, and adapt it to your class. It’s beyond the mentorship. We collaborate a lot… we seek advice and talk things through.”

Outside the classroom, Marcellus keeps busy running his home-based small engine shop, a business he’s managed longer than he’s been teaching. His two sons play hockey, and the family enjoys boating in their free time.