CVES/BOCES Administrator Honored for Outstanding Leadership

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Teresa Calabrese-Gray

ALBANY, NY (03/21/2019) (readMedia)-- Teresa Calabrese-Gray, assistant superintendent for instruction and 21st century learning at Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) BOCES, has been selected for the 2019 Outstanding Educator Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a SAANYS member who has made outstanding contributions in New York State schools through public education, professional organizations, or research and/or writing in the field of education.

Known as a collaborative leader, Calabrese-Gray has instituted a model for shared leadership and district-wide decision-making teams to guide the work across the 17 districts under CVES/BOCES. As a way to encourage a chain reaction of positive change, Calabrese-Gray encourages administrators to "find their sparkplugs," empowering others to provide all stakeholders with the appropriate tools to implement desired change. She notes that "Everyone needs to work together to build a common vision and promote collaboration at all levels." Commented Peru Central School Board of Education President Bonnie L. Berry, "Teri is an articulate leader and able to communicate her ideas to others, energizing her audience be it students, teachers, or colleagues with her positivity and enthusiasm."

In 2018, Calabrese-Gray spearheaded an initiative by partnering BOCES S/CDN with SED to develop and deliver statewide training on the Next Generation Math Learning Standards to more than 2,000 educators. And she is currently collaborating with leaders within the Teacher Education Program at SUNY Plattsburgh to develop a pipeline for future teachers within local education agencies. Commented SUNY Plattsburgh Interim Dean Dr. Denise Simard, "Teri has used her distributive leadership skills in building bridges between the P-12 and higher education communities. She and her team have worked tirelessly to develop a cohort of school building and school district leaders. This effort focuses on developing a solid succession plan for the leadership of local education agencies. Teri's insights and knowledge encourage those around her to push the limits of their abilities."

Commented District Superintendent Mark Davey, "She is an invaluable member of the district superintendent's cabinet, that is crucial in helping to advise me on all recommendations to the BOCES Board, and she is essential in helping to make the daily operational and strategic leadership decisions for our BOCES. She has also been a visionary leader in her support and implementation of CVES's strategic plan, now in our fifth year. Throughout Teri's many and varied CVES responsibilities, she is known and respected as a collaborative, high-quality instructional leader who is always a consummate professional." Continued Davey, "She is an outstanding educator who demonstrates collaborative and synergy-promoting leadership abilities in all her undertakings."

Calabrese-Gray received her bachelor of arts in N-9 education and mathematics from SUNY Potsdam and her master of science in elementary education and 7-9 mathematics from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Calabrese-Gray will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 3 at the Century House in Latham, New York.

SAANYS represents nearly 7,200 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership 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 (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).