Two-time alumna's journey leads to Rural Teacher of the Year honor

Arriving at SUNY Oswego as a transfer student and staying to earn her master’s degree, Megan Thomson Cernaro came to campus with a lifelong dream of becoming a political news correspondent.

Instead, one unexpected classroom experience set her on a path to being named the 2026 New York State Rural Teacher of the Year.

Originally from Sandy Creek, Cernaro began her academic journey at Jefferson Community College, studying political science while exploring a future in politics. She worked as a legislative aide for the New York State Senate flollowed by becoming a commercial loan specialist at Oswego County National Bank.

“I absolutely fell in love,” Cernaro said, reflecting on her experience in public service.

At the same time, she continued her studies full time at SUNY Oswego, majoring in political science with a minor in public policy and administration and graduating in 2001.

While working at Oswego County National Bank, SUNY Oswego's then-President Deborah F. Stanley (now President Emeritus), who was also on the bank's Board of Directors, encouraged Cernaro to pursue education after Cernaro taught classes for the American Banking Association — an opportunity that unexpectedly changed the course of her career.

“I found myself fully immersed in sharing my excitement with colleagues and others attending those classes and making it a fun experience,” Cernaro said. “I realized education was an extremely rewarding experience.”

During her senior year, Cernaro was selected for the Miss America Scholarship Program as Miss Oswego County, earning $3,000 to support her postgraduate goals.

After her graduation with a master's degree in fall 2004, she began her career at the Mexico Academy and Central School District, working at Palermo Elementary School as a 1:1 aide before teaching first, second and third grades. In 2021, she became the librarian at Mexico Elementary School.

Outstanding impact

Earlier this year, Cernaro was honored for the impact she has made on generations of students and on the Mexico school community as the New York State Rural Teacher of the Year through the Rural Schools Association of New York State.

“It’s very humbling and hard to own that I received the award,” Cernaro said. “I wouldn’t be here without SUNY Oswego, my students, my colleagues and the opportunities I’ve been able to receive. I'm honored to represent not just Mexico but the entire community.”

Mexico Academy and Central School District Superintendent Donna Runner called the honor “well-deserved,” praising Cernaro’s ability to connect with students and create meaningful learning experiences.

“Meg’s passion, professionalism and dedication strengthen our entire school community,” Runner said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our school family.”

Cernaro believes collaboration is of utmost importance for engagements and students' success. The book fair that the school hosts in collaboration with the Parent Teacher Organization allows every student the chance to receive a high-interest free book. Cernaro, in collaboration with volunteers, signs up each year, and the turnout is outstanding. The school does not profit in cash from sales. In fact, they have something called Scholastic Dollars, which help enhance and finance classrooms and libraries.

“Everything is going back to our school and the kids no matter what,” Cernaro said.

Thinking local

Cernaro believes in keeping everything local. As an Oswego County native, her love for Oswego goes beyond her own experiences. She appreciates the consistent support and collaboration many local businesses offer. 

She even connected with Splash, the indoor water park in downtown Oswego, hoping to collaborate. One phone call later, the collaboration happened and is on its third year for their April Water Park Reading Challenge.

“Many families are choosing local and it's a fabulous partnership,” Cernaro said. “The connections and relationships in Oswego are so special.”

Relationship-building became fundamental for Cernaro’s success. In all the moments she was able to connect with communities, impact students and families beyond the classroom, she realized that this was her calling and that this is what was most important to her. The families and students she’s impacted and met keep her grounded and are the building blocks of her career. She still stays connected with many of the families and students she's taught and one thing they remember most about her is how safe and loved they felt by her and her classroom.

“My building neighbor is the school psychologist. She shared with me that when she asks students where they feel safest in the building they say it is the library with Mrs. Cernaro,” Cernaro said. “That to me is the hugest compliment. Those small successes and little moments are the really big ones.”

Cernaro also thanks the many amazing professors at SUNY Oswego for her experience and education. One professor, the late Linda Lord (also a 1970 Oswego alum), had her create a mission statement for education, one that Cernaro still lives by today.

“I always want to be a reflective and insightful teacher," she said. "That has always stuck with me.”

-- Written by Jose Vazquez Nava of the Class of 2027 for University Advancement