After 29 years at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Instructional Technology Integration Specialist Renee Lawrence said it’s her students and colleagues that keep her motivated.
Originally hired as a basic skills substitute teacher, Lawrence has seen her role change and evolve several times over the last three decades. Lawrence has spent time as an Adult Education Instructor for Business Careers and as a CTE Instructor for several computer and technology-related programs. However, Lawrence found a new passion when she transitioned to her current role.
“I love that I have opportunities to work with students, teachers, and administrators. I get to work with everyone now,” she said. “That’s fun and exciting. I love that I get to work with technology and learn new things each day.”
Lawrence said she enjoys bringing students to the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Makerspace to introduce them to technologies they haven’t used before.
“We have the opportunity to work with drones, 3D printers, a Glowforge, and any other general technology-related devices we can incorporate into curriculum,” she said. “And it’s not that we just get to play with fun stuff. This all truly is incorporated into the curriculum. But we definitely have the opportunity to see the newest and greatest things that are implemented into education.”
When asked what she loves most about working at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Lawrence said the family-like atmosphere and the ability to grow professionally.
“The people that I work with and the support we provide, we’re very much like a family,” Lawrence said. “I would also say that there’s an opportunity here for constant growth. As you can see, my roles have changed and that keeps things fresh.”
When asked what advice she would give to new BOCES staff members, Lawrence said simply understanding the impact that the BOCES can have on the community.
“I would tell them to be prepared to have the understanding of what BOCES truly is and does. That we are a cooperative educational institution that serves the needs of anyone in the region. It’s important to understand what BOCES really does and how much impact it has on our community,” she said.
Outside of work, Lawrence enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, fishing and boating on Cayuga Lake, and taking her granddaughter to new places.