CORRECTED: Wantagh Principal Selected Elementary Principal of the Year

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Don Sternberg

ALBANY, NY (03/26/2009)(readMedia)-- Dr. Don Sternberg, principal of the Wantagh Elementary School in the Wantagh Union Free School District, has been selected as the 2009 New York State Elementary 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.

Sternberg has been an elementary-level administrator for 28 years, 26 of those years in his present position and two as assistant principal in Wantagh Elementary. Wantagh Elementary is a K through 5 school with an enrollment of approximately 800 students. In addition to these positions, Sternberg served as an art teacher for seven years and an adjunct professor at SUNY Stony Brook for four years.

Sternberg holds a bachelor's degree in art education from Ball State University, a master's in fine arts from Adelphi University, a professional diploma from Long Island University and a doctorate from Columbia University, both in educational administration. He is an active member of SAANYS and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, serves as co-president of the Nassau County Elementary School Principals Association, is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the Long Island School Leadership Advisory Board, and has served on the advisory board for the New York State School Music Association.

Among his accomplishments are having his school named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the New York State Education Department and a School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, Redbook magazine presented him with the Award for Overall Excellence. Under Sternberg's leadership, an emphasis has been placed on nurturing the whole child – mind and body. Emphasis is not only on academics, but on character education and physical health as well.

In a letter of support for Sternberg's nomination, Dawn Matrochano, Wantagh Elementary assistant principal, stated: "Anyone who meets Don Sternberg gets an immediate understanding that his sole interest is the children. Decisions that he makes and policies he puts into place are all designed with the wellness and benefit of the students in mind." Karen Kerge, a fourth grade teacher at Wantagh agrees. Kerge states: "Over the years, I have seen Dr. Sternberg make difficult decisions that can be unpopular but he has always made these decisions with an eye towards the success of our children."

Ann Tigue, a parent and PTA president, notes: "The motto of Wantagh Elementary is Together We Make a Difference. I have felt, for ten years, that I have been a member of the team, and that team is led by our wonderful Don Sternberg. Last year, our community defeated our school budget – twice – forcing us into a contingency budget.. . . . Few people in our school know that he [Don] spearheaded donations from individual administrators in our district, specifically to help restore music and arts programs that were cut in our elementary schools."

Sternberg 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 Elementary School Principal of the Year, Sternberg will be celebrated as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) at a recognition program this fall in Washington, DC.

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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.