CORRECTED: Newton Selected Middle School Principal of the Year

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James Newton

ALBANY, NY (03/26/2009)(readMedia)-- James P. Newton, principal of Tonawanda Middle School in the Tonawanda City School District, has been selected as the 2009 New York State Middle School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS who has set the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in his or her school. Nominees are administrators who are committed to students, parents, and the community and have shown exceptional contributions to the educational process.

Newton has been an educator for 23 years and a school administrator for 13, 11 in his present position. Tonawanda is an urban middle school, grades 6-8, in Erie County with a total enrollment of 460. Newton holds a bachelor's degree in industrial arts from SUNY College at Buffalo, a master's in technology from SUNY Oswego, and a doctorate from D'Youville College in educational leadership. He is an active member of SAANYS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and Phi Delta Kappa.

In letters of recommendation from his superintendent of schools, fellow administrators, teachers, and parents, a recurring comment emerges: he exudes confidence and compassion for his students and faculty. Renee Cool, special education chair from Tonawanda, states, "A great leader inspires the best in others. Dr. Newton has shown the ability to evolve with educational trends, filter out what will help his staff, and that in turn accomplishes his greater goal of helping each and every student." Among his many accomplishments cited, the one that is most recognized is his establishment of "Newton's No Nonsense Non-Verbal Intervention Program" known as NIP. Staff and students have been taught sign language communication to keep students from raising their voices in the halls. According to Assistant Principal Larry Badgley, "This creates a peaceful, low-key atmosphere during passing times." The program has resulted in a decrease in low-level violence. In addition, several programs established under Newton, such as the literacy room, have proved to be a great benefit to both students and staff.

Newton will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 1, 2009 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. As New York's Middle School Principal of the Year, Newton is now a candidate for the award of National Middle School Principal of the Year sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). As a national candidate, he will travel to Washington for a Principals Institute and Awards Banquet sponsored by NASSP and MetLife on October 16-18. 2009.

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SAANYS represents more than 7,000 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to its members in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.