The Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation hosted it’s 14th Annual Recognition Breakfast on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the Holiday Inn Liverpool. Each year, the SCSD Educational Foundation recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have given above and beyond in providing support to teachers, students, and programs in the Syracuse City School District. These awards are presented at the Foundation’s annual fundraising breakfast.
In 2017, the Foundation presented its 2017 Annual Recognition Awards to Mark and Steven Wladis, for continuing and growing the Hats and Gloves Donation Program their late father, George Wladis, began 20 years ago. Each year since 1997, the Wladis family has coordinated the donations of thousands of hats and gloves to Elementary School children in Syracuse City Schools.
The Foundation also honored Carol Terry, who retired as the District’s first Field Coordinator of Fine Arts and who has continued to support arts education for children in the City of Syracuse.
In addition, the Educational Foundation, in cooperation with the Syracuse City School District, is proud to recognize men and women who help to ensure educational excellence in the School District. Each year, the Foundation recognizes two teachers, one administrator, and one support staff member. To be eligible, an Educator of the Year candidate must be a full-time staff member and they can be nominated by colleagues/peers, students, parents, or community organizations. Key factors that are considered in the selection process are the individual’s unique abilities that make them outstanding among their peers. Winners of these awards are individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to go “above and beyond” and who provide support to students in an exceptional manner.
The 2017 Educator of the Year award winners are Carin Reeve-Larham, Principal, Dr. Weeks Elementary School; Emily Nielsen, 4th Grade Teacher, J.T. Roberts PreK-8 School; Benjamin Steuerwalt, Physical Education Teacher, McKinley-Brighton Elementary School; Mary DeSantis, Multi-Classroom Leader for Instruction and Literacy, Bellevue Elementary; and Debra Smith, Administrative Assistant, Office of Shared Accountability.
