A Union of Professionals Serving Ithaca, NY, I.C.S.D. Substitute Teachers since 2007 /NYSUT and AFT Affiliated
The Executive Committee
Per election to the board on 30 October, 2025, the ISA Executive Board is as follows:
Mike Yerky (President), Jane Atkin (Vice-President), Jennifer Neal-Teekasingh (Treasurer), Jackie Cassaniti (Secretary), Stanley Malinowitz (Member-at-Large), Greg Gary (Member-at-Large), Karen Barden (Member-at-Large)
President ~ Mike Yerky
Mike Yerky is the new President of the ISA. He completed his education in physical anthropology back in Switzerland where he grew up. In 1994, Mike moved to San Diego for a postdoc position at the famous zoo studying the hormones and behavior of pygmy lorises, cheetahs, and bonobos. In 2001, he took a position as outreach coordinator for biological sciences at Cornell University where he taught many middle and high school students as well as their teachers about the endlessly fascinating topic of Nature. Since 2014, he has been substitute teaching at IHS, Boynton, Dewitt, and Belle Sherman covering a wide array from science and math to social studies and foreign languages. In his spare time, he likes to take care of the kitties at the SPCA. He has also been a life-long follower of the sports of boxing and Formula One.
Vice-President ~ Jane Atkin
~Founding member of ISA
~Served as Treasurer and President;
contract negotiation and arbitration teams
~ISA 10th Anniversary Party Co-Chair
~Currently serving as Vice President
~Oversees ISA membership
~SUB101 and SUB102 trainer and file-keeper
Treasurer ~ Jennifer Neal-Teekasingh
Secretary ~ Jackie Cassaniti
I went to high school on Long Island, then to SUNY Fredonia for college. Later I got my permanent certification just before I had the first of three kids. I started substitute teaching in the late 1980s and have continued to do it because I enjoy it, and it gives me time to do other things.
I joined ISA when it first started and have been a member in a few different spots on and off since then.
Member-At-Large ~ Stanley Malinowitz
Stan is a former professor of economics and political economy. Originally from NYC, he has lived and worked in Mexico and Bogotá, Colombia, as well as Amherst, MA and Tucson, AZ. He moved to Ithaca in 2019, and has worked at ICSD since 2022 as a long-term substitute (Spanish), a building sub, and a per diem sub. He is a strong believer in public education and in strong unions.
Member-At-Large ~ Greggory Gary
I hail from the Bronx, NY since 1983 when I moved my family to Horseheads, NY to raise my three boys. I was employed at Cornell University until I retired as an Associate Director of Financial Aid & Admissions in February 2013.
Prior to departing NYC, I taught Junior High and Elementary School for four years in the Bronx before moving on to banking as an Internal Auditor.
Throughout my time in NYC and Horseheads I managed to volunteer as:
A Golden Key prison ministry worker
A House Fellow at Cornell University’s Becker House residential hall
A Staff Advisor to the Cornell University men’s basketball team
An officer of 5 On 5 Masters Entertainment, a community-based non-profit organization serving the Morrisania area of the Bronx
Member-At-Large ~ Karen Barden
Karen Barden is an ICSD Retiree from Human Resources. She had majored in Business Administration and Spanish at Wartburg College, which included a year abroad in Spain. In addition to working as a Substitute at ICSD, she volunteers with the Tompkins County 4-H Youth Development (Public Presentations Planning Committee, Chair of Plant and Environmental Sciences Team) and with her faith community. She also participates in the CHES Enrichment program. Karen is excited to be part of the ISA Executive Board.