Creative: Matt Leon, Communications Service

Communications specialist Matt Leon has found creative ways to expand the breadth and depth of the Bethlehem Central School District’s communications program this year. His budget communications encompassed not only the facts and figures of the budget, but also access to results of a student survey and forum, employee contracts, state legislator contacts and streaming video of budget presentations and a “Meet the Board Candidates” event. Matt promoted the Board of Education’s new Character Award program by writing compelling stories about the students—not the award— featured on the district Web site and calendar. He is resourceful in using existing communications vehicles and opportunities to remind residents of additional ways to get information—whether it’s incorporating sign-up for the district’s SNN e-mail alert system during the kindergarten registration process or using SNN alerts to bring attention to new features on the Web site. Always mindful of matching needs to capacity, he imaginatively found ways to shift existing communications expenditures toward new ventures, most notably the BOCES Shared Web Service, which will support the district’s priority to expand school-to-parent communication. Matt’s ability to think outside-the-box has enabled him to continuously improve the service he provides to his client.

Customer-Driven: Anne McCoy, Non-Public Textbooks
Ann is a tireless worker and promoter of her program. She is extremely well-organized and pays great attention to detail. This year she took special efforts to help our schools cut costs and get more value for their dollars. Anne ensures that our clients in both Capital Region and WSWHE schools get the best and most cost-effective service possible. It is that attention to detail that helps to chip away at the high cost of textbooks for schools — getting “deals,” selling back used books, and always, always finding better pricing and squeezing the buffalo off that nickel!
Even in these difficult budget times, Ann has been pro-active and has reached out and gotten new commitments from two additional districts next year! All the while, Anne makes a complicated and difficult job look easy!
Ann —thanks for all you do!

Dedicated: Tom Trainor, School Counselor Schenectady City Schools (CAPIT)
From the very first day I began mentoring Tom, I knew he was going to be a great addition to our team. Tom goes above and beyond the call in everything he does and has demonstrated excellence in all of the STAR award categories. He exemplifies teamwork as a school counselor at two elementary schools. His leadership skills have led him to be a presenter for our CAPIT team on many occasions sharing his expertise in conflict resolution, integrating the computer when working with groups, and using videos and pod casting to teach students life skills. Tom continually proves his dedication to the students and families he serves. This year he volunteered after school to connect with his students who have transitioned to the middle school. Students stop by their former elementary school to shoot hoops and talk to him about how things are going. Tom finds time outside of his day to reach out to kids and families’ assuring that every student has the support he or she needs to be successful in school. Throughout his time at BOCES, he has helped families get furniture, assisted kids in improving attendance and behavior, established new programs in schools for students who have not had a history of academic success. He has helped our team utilize technology in new and innovative ways and uses his humor and charisma in everything he does. BOCES is very fortunate to have him represent us at the schools where he works.

Integrity: Christine Carpenter, Communications
Christine has always displayed the ability to stay true to her beliefs and encourages others to do the same. Whether it is her strong commitment to the environment, or her ability and willingness to accept people for who they are, Christine is a wonderful role model, guiding children and adults to embrace and celebrate their true selves. As a Communications Specialist for the Special Ed. division, Christine has a way of seeing beyond some of the truly debilitating issues that affect some children and showcasing the amazing courage and strength that they and their families possess.
She has always been an advocate for a simple and organic approach to education. Teaching children to be aware and take an active role in the world around them. This was apparent when she was the editor of the Parent Newsletter series offered by the BOCES Communications Service. In a “Twenty-first Century” world, where technology is the future, Christine was diligent in reminding parents that kids are still kids and that a walk in the woods or helping to care of a family pet is just as important to a child’s development as learning to use the computer. And that taking a few minutes out of your busy day to read with your child is still a tried and true way to encourage your child to be a life long learner.

Leadership: Shelley Viola, Arts in Education
We all know Shelley is extremely capable, caring, and helpful and the most organized person around. When she sees a problem, she is willing to help solve it whether it is for her program, a neighbors’ or the division. Specifically, last summer, she took on the monumental task of rounding up all of the obsolete equipment and disposing of it. Shelley might not have known the commitment she was making to finally rid all of our SSS programs of the mountain of old computer equipment; she might have even questioned her own sanity, but she didn’t drop the ball. Shelley helped all of us by spearheading the project. Shelley cares about always doing her personal best and that reflects on BOCES in a positive way. She has perfected the performance of her duties over the years and we in the Arts & Enrichment Program rely on her to keep us on task! But Shelley doesn’t stop there. She is frequently tapped to serve on interview committees and the new transition committee because of her history with BOCES and her extensive knowledge of how things operate in this division. Those of us who work with Shelley know how fortunate we are to have such a supportive and dedicated person to work with!

 
Student-centered: Ameera Crellin, CAPIT
This year has been difficult for students and staff at Schenectady High School who have been presented with numerous challenges from fights, to bullying, to suicide. For this reason, I must give Ameera loads of credit for her hard work and dedication to her students at Schenectady High School. Ameera has stood by and assisted all the students who have walked through her door and who trust her with their inner emotions. She has been an inspiration to me, and has given me hope in our public school educators who truly hold themselves to be the best leaders and mentors for the students others have lost faith in. Ameera has done exceptional work using her clinical skills and compassion to help ensure the safety of hundreds of students during a time of great crisis.

Supportive: Erin McNulty, Communications
Communication specialist Erin McNulty, who helped launch the new Shared Web Service this year, has made the program a bona fide success by consistently finding ways to support others—her BOCES Communications colleagues and school district staff members—in their efforts to effectively communicate via the Web. Erin is always just a phone call or e-mail away to troubleshoot problems or offer constructive suggestions to help teachers, secretaries and other district staffers become more comfortable with and skilled at authoring Web pages. She also takes advantage of every opportunity to share what she has learned to keep us all up-to-date with best practices as online communication continues to evolve at the speed of light. She has taken the lead in coordinating a summer “Web camp” for fellow communication specialists aimed at expanding our repertoire of abilities and our understanding of industry standards, while helping us find ways to work more efficiently. There is no task too big or too small for Erin. She works on a daily basis behind the scenes supporting many of her co-workers—and always with a smile and helpful, positive attitude.

Teamwork: Matt Stenglein, Substitute Calling Service
Matt is our true jack-of-all-trades. He handles substitute teacher Haz Com profiles, enters new subs in the online database, cheerfully handles substitute interviews—all the while juggling the barrage of incoming calls to his help phone line. He also is our resident “strong man.” A wrestling coach, he is often called upon—not just by sub coordination—to carry heavy boxes from UPS and Fed Ex wherever they need to go—all with a smile and a cooperative attitude. Ask Matt, and it shall be done—quietly and efficiently.