Instructors
Programming and Web Development
413-863-9456, ext. 160
Cynthia Bussey joined the Franklin County Technical School vocational faculty in 2005 after a 25-year career in the high-tech industry in Massachusetts.
Cyndi has taught Scratch, Code.org, AppLab, Python, AP CS Principles and AP Computer Science A (Java), and has developed curricula for Scratch and Java programming, CMS systems, and gaming.
Cyndi holds a Master's of Education in curriculum and instruction (2014) from Fitchburg State University, and a Bachelor of Science in computer science from SUNY College of Technology at Utica. Cyndi is also certified by Microsoft as a professional and a technical assistant.
During summers, Cyndi is often active with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Summer Perkins Teacher Externship Program. This program provides opportunities for vocational teachers to work in their field and keep their professional skills current. She has recently done externships at Montague Webworks and Hitpoint Studios, both in Greenfield, MA.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Cyndi worked as a software quality assurance engineer and manager for several companies including Educational Testing Service, Kronos Incorporated in Chelmsford, MA, and Revenio in Burlington, MA.
She has worked extensively with Windows, Unix, HTML, XML, SQL, and has created automated testing scripts using SilkTest. Cyndi has experience in Unix, Oracle, SQL Server, Redbrick, Informix, and Object Oriented Concepts.
Cyndi feels it is important to teach to the “whole student,” and not just what the subject is in shop. Her goal is that on graduation day, her students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills needed to be successful in today’s society.
413-863-9561, ext. 163
Marcus McLaurin joined the Franklin County Technical School vocational faculty in 2010. As instructor for the Programming and Web Development Program, he teaches the Adobe Creative Suite, web design, web development, and game design with an emphasis on using technology to communicate with creativity.
Marcus started his communications career with a 10-year stint as an Editor and Art Director at Marvel Comics after graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. As a writer for Marvel Comics, McLaurin wrote the entire 20-issue run of the Luke Cage revival series Cage, and wrote issues of The Punisher as well as multiple features in Marvel Comics Presents. He also edited the critically acclaimed Marvels series, the manga series Akira, and Filmmaker and Fantasy Novelist Clive Barker's Nightbreed and Hellraiser, to name a few.
Marcus then served as an Art Director for 10 years at Channing Bete Co. in South Deerfield, MA, and moved on to educational publishing as Art Director for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in Boston, where he designed logos, books and online content. He led the design on Houghton Mifflin' Harcourt's Logo redesign, as well as Art Directing the design for the full line of products for the Great Source Education Group, a division of HMH.
Marcus has completed coursework at American International College in Springfield, MA and the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and received his vocational teaching certification from Fitchburg State University in 2018.
He is active in supporting FCTS student life as an Art Club advisor, and co-advisor for the CONTEXT student group, as well as serving as the Alumni Association liaison for the past 4 years.