Acclaim Award

PRINCIPAL WINNER
Dr. Mark S. Strauss, Virginia Shuman Young Elementary
Growing-up in Nanuet, New York with his younger brother and sister, Dr. Mark S. Strauss’ love of teaching began early.  He remembers playing “school” in his parent’s basement where he always played the role of teacher and, as he grew older, principal.

To the students at Virginia Shuman Young Elementary (VSY), Dr. Mark S. Strauss is a man on a “moose mission.”  His office has a moose décor – from statues to books to artwork. He leads the school’s annual costume parade in moose attire, always a copy of  If You Give a Moose a Muffin tucked under his arm. This has delighted the students and endeared him to each of them.

Strauss’ unique understanding of his students led him to establish study groups for staff and parents to discuss such books as Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty.  His goal is to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the needs of different populations within the school.

While serving as principal at VSY, overall learning gains at the school have increased.  Reading has gone from 85% to 91% and math gains have gone from 73% to 83%.   Students in the lowest quarter of the school’s population have demonstrated an increase in learning gains from 70% to 77%.

Karen S. Ammar, President of O. R. Colan Associates, a school partner said of Strauss, “Dr. Strauss would likely say that it is his incredible staff that allows his school to stay at the top of its game, and that is true.  However, it is his leadership that drives his talented teachers so consistently.”

Strauss’ completed his undergraduate work at Buffalo State College.  Eighteen years ago, he moved to South Florida where he received a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WINNER
Kathryn Sullivan, Indian Ridge Middle School
An interest in learning theory, and particularly how it applies to children, drove Kathryn Sullivan to a career in education.  She wants to know how and why children learn, as well as what can be done to create the optimal learning environment for children. 

Nominated by Indian Ridge Middle School, while serving as the school’s Assistant Principal. Kathryn Sullivan recently gained additional experience at Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. Middle School as part of the Intern Principal Program.

While at Indian Ridge, Sullivan developed a school-wide database to track incoming students’ assessments from 5th grade through high school matriculation.   The database included state, district, school-wide and teacher specific assessments to give an overall snapshot of students’ progress.  She also created a school-wide literacy campaign using the theme, “Got books?”  The campaign included reading incentives, book exchanges, literature circles, author nights, a database of books read, staff “READ” posters and student reading goals. 

The quality of professional development at Indian Ridge improved under Sullivan’s leadership.  She created virtual and face-to-face Professional Learning Communities for each department and team to share current research and best practices in a supportive, collegial manner. 

Stephen Rottblatt, President of Stena Incorporated, a school partner, said of Sullivan, “I have been enormously impressed with her dedication and commitment to the students, faculty, school and the broader issues affecting the entire educational atmosphere of the county and state.”

Sullivan attended Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and English.  She has a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Florida Atlantic University and an education specialist degree in Computer Technology from Nova Southeastern.  Sullivan is currently working on her dissertation for a Ph.D., also in Computer Technology.


THE ACCLAIM AWARD FINALISTS