|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATION
As Superintendent
GEOFFREY HICKS - SWEET HOME
Geoffrey Hicks is the Superintendent of the Sweet Home Central School District. He is a member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and has served on the Commissioner's Advisory Council. He is the past president of the Erie and Niagara School Superintendent's Association. "My experience in the field of education enriched my life by allowing me the privilege to work with kids everyday and experience the thrill of helping them learn."
DIANE VIGRASS - DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
Inspired by her teachers as early as second grade, Ms. Vigrass chose a career in teaching at a very young age. She spent summers as a volunteer working with children with Down's Syndrome. This motivated her to major in education and pursue her master's degree in Learning and Behavioral Science. She found her niche as a teacher in a Catholic school. It was never her intent to leave classroom teaching, but one day she discovered that she was celebrating her 13th year as a principal. "My experiences in the field of education enriched my life by proving that, not only can every child learn, but every child also has something to teach."
MARK WARD - OLEAN
Mark Ward began his career as a teacher and a coach in the Ellicottville Central School District. He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the Olean community. Mr. Ward has held many leadership positions. His commitment to the New York State Public High School Association Section VI is particularly noteworthy, having received the New York State Athletic Administrator's Association Distinguished Service Award in 2004. "My experience in the field of education enriched my life by affording me the opportunity to positively impact the future by touching the lives of thousands of students. It has also been rewarding to learn from, support, and mentor fellow educators as they grow and develop to reach their potential as future leaders of our schools. I truly have been blessed with a great career that has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, meet so many wonderful people, and, at the same time enjoy every day on the job. What more could I ask for?"
As Principal
TANA CLEVELAND - WEST SENECA
She began her teaching career as an English teacher in Hamburg in 1976. Over the next 14 years in Hamburg, she assumed many remedial positions in the areas of writing, math, and reading. Here she used data and learned about differentiation and finding learning paths. In the early 90's, she joined the staff at Orchard Park and completed her administrative internship. In 1994, she assumed the principalship at Potters Road Elementary School in West Seneca. Her tenure in West Seneca proved to be the most demanding and rewarding job, and she truly embraced this experience. "My experience in the field of education enriched my life by combining two of the things I love best … the joy of teaching and children. I can think of no other respectable profession in which a day on the job entails hundreds of kisses and assorted hugs."
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
JOANN SCHLIENZ - CHEEKTOWAGA CENTRAL
Ms. Schlienz has taught in the Cheektowaga Central School District for over 30 years. She was one of the first teachers in the district to work in an inclusive classroom setting. "My experience in the field of education enriched my life, first of all, by allowing me to perpetuate, to motivate and to investigate the unique, magical, mysterious world of the eight year old child."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|