Maria Myhill couldn’t help but smile when she was asked about her time with Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES.

“This is all I’ve ever done,” she said. “BOCES is my whole career. It has given me a lot of opportunities and friends, and I’ve met some incredible people that I can honestly say made me who I am.”

Myhill’s journey at BOCES started in 2001, making this the start of her 25th year with the organization. Her career began in the elementary day treatment program, where she remained for eleven years. She spent the following years working with students in the middle school, high school, and 8:1:1 programs. Now, she is in her first year as a consultant special education teacher in the Career and Technical Education program, where she is already impressed with the things she sees in the classroom every day.

“I love seeing all these skills the teachers and programs give to our juniors and seniors so that they can really learn and put in practice in a work-based setting,” Myhill said. “I go in and out of specific classrooms and help support them, and I get to bring things I’ve learned to help students within those settings.”

No matter what her role has been, Myhill has always enjoyed working with both students and staff. She expressed her gratitude for the many new opportunities BOCES has provided over the years.

“I think one of the best parts about staying with the same organization for so long is the opportunities I’ve been given. I can honestly say that I’ve done quite a bit with the organization and have gotten to see every component of what we offer, so I really do enjoy that and I like the challenge to do something different.”

Behind each new challenge, Myhill has found a strong support system, from helpful colleagues to dedicated individuals working in component school districts. She noted that there are many amazing people who helped her through a lot of her years.

She offered the following advice to new BOCES staff members: “Be kind to yourself. You will find your niche.”