Our Team
Linda Szakmary
Linda Szakmary has over five decades of experience working as a classroom teacher, a district curriculum writer, a district facilitator of K-5 writing, and as a regional PK-8 literacy coach. She currently works for Sullivan and Orange-Ulster BOCES as a content specialist. A poetry advocate and a lover of words and children’s literature, she has been a presenter at several state-wide conferences on vocabulary, reading, and writing. Recently, she worked with Katy Wishow, a staff developer for the Mossflower Reading and Writing Project, to study intermediate vocabulary instruction within a reading workshop. This work informed the vocabulary lessons now included in the new 2026 Reading Units of Study for Grades 3-5. Linda lives in Stone Ridge, NY where she enjoys gardening, yoga, reading, and rooting for the Yankees. You can often find her on a beach searching for sea glass.
Amanda Kovac
Amanda Schoepflin Kovac has seventeen years of experience working as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, and reading specialist. She currently serves in the Onteora School District as a literacy specialist and mentor to both teachers and parents. Her coaching and teaching philosophy is three dimensional; dream and set goals, dedicate time and enthusiasm towards those goals, and deliver to all. A leader in curriculum reform, research based instructional practices, and increasing student achievement levels, she is committed to creating equitable and joyful literacy experiences. She passionately provides educators, families, and students memorable opportunities towards lifelong reading and writing. Amanda lives in Saugerties, NY with her three young children. All three are learning words at a rapid rate! JOYcabulary was sparked by an experience her four-year-old daughter had with the multiple meanings of the word duck.