|
James Steinmeyer Earns SONY Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Nine outstanding teachers from mid-Hudson public schools and the Board of Cooperative Education Services have been selected to receive the 2001 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from the State University of New York at New Paltz.
The nine teachers will be honored at a Sept. 20 ceremony to be held at 4:30pm at The Terrace at SUNY New Paltz. As recipients of this award, each of the nine teachers will receive an honorary appointment as an adjunct clinical professor within the university’s School of Education. They will also be recognized by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council at a ceremony later this year.
Nominations for outstanding teachers are made by school principals and district superintendents. The awards are given by the Office of the Dean of Education at SUNY New Paltz based on recommendations from a review committee of education professionals. The winners are selected teachers who have demonstrated their commitment to teaching, to excellence and, most importantly, to children and their education.
Recipients of the 2001 awards are David W. Baker of Highland Falls, Bruce Bidwell of Narrowsburg, Michael Brown of Olivebridge, Eileen Candito of Middletown, Marilyn Hoffman of Bloomingburg, Eugene Lebwohl of Ossining, Michael Mostransky of Hopewell Junction, Kirk Reinhardt of Port Ewen, and James Steinmeyer of Garrison.
James Steinmeyer, a 30-year veteran who teaches English at Roy C. Ketcham High School in the Wappingers Central School District, is being recognized for his dedication as a teacher, a coach, a mentor, and above all a compassionate human being who treats his students with dignity and respect. He sets himself apart from other teachers by expecting the best from each student and receiving the extraordinary every time. With Steinmeyer, a student does not feel pressured to love the subject of English, but is allowed, instead, to immerse himself into whatever it is that excites him, using English as a tool to express his interests. Michael DeFillipo, principal of RCK Senior High School stated that, "Mr. Steinmeyer has that tangible quality that draws students to him, and once in contact with him they continually want to be in his classes or a part of an activity in which he is involved."
While working with students from a cross-section of the school population, Steinmeyer has never lowered his standards. Instead, he has provided the initiative and support for new programs that encourage students to excel in English and in school in general. He is a dynamic personality in the classroom and goes the extra mile to work with his students to help them achieve their best. A tribute to his excellence in teaching is the fact that he was selected by the Roy C. Ketcham National Honor Society to be their Teacher of the Year in 2000. With his extensive background in theater and as the director of numerous productions at Ketcham, Steinmeyer is again giving his time, energy and enthusiasm by leading an effort to refurbish the auditorium, stage and drama equipment of the school.
The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching was instituted 18 years ago to honor outstanding area teachers.
| Click ads below
for larger version
|
