Clarkstown Principal Selected as a NYS Middle School Principal of the Year

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Dr. Diane Mitchell

ALBANY, NY (04/09/2014)(readMedia)-- The School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) and the National

Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has selected Diane Mitchell, principal at Felix Festa

Middle School in the Clarkstown Central School District, as a New York State Middle School Principal of

the Year. This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS and NASSP who has set the pace,

character, and quality of education for the students 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.

Mitchell has been a principal at Felix Festa since 2008. Felix Festa Campus Principal Kevin Horan

describes Mitchell as, "one of the brightest, most knowledgeable, and intuitive professionals I've ever

had the opportunity to work with." Felix Festa was designated as a New York State "Reward School" for

2012-13.

Upon reflecting on her work at the middle school, Mitchell is very proud of her initiatives to increase

vocabulary and literacy skills across all content areas and among all students, despite their educational,

social, emotional, or physical needs. A key component to the success of this and other school initiatives

is Mitchell's focus on providing meaningful professional development to teachers. Said Clarkstown

Superintendent Jeffrey Sobel, "As a leader in the area of professional development, Dr. Mitchell works

collaboratively with colleagues from her building and central office to maintain a positive environment

where staff members willingly engage in opportunities for growth."

Added Ann Marie Hastings, math teacher at the middle school, "Teachers are valued in Dr. Mitchell's

building. All are supported and morale is always high."

Mitchell is "first and foremost a student advocate" both within the school walls and in the greater

community. Since 2010 she has volunteered her expertise in curriculum writing to the OneTruezone

organization. "She [Mitchell] truly understands the emotional, social, and academic needs of students,"

said the organization's president Helene Naftali.

Mitchell received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta, her master's

degree in special education from Fordham University, and her doctorate in instructional leadership from

St. John's University.

Mitchell will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 9, 2014 at the Century

House in Latham, New York. As the SAANYS/NASSP Middle School Principal of the Year, Mitchell is

now a candidate for the award of NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year, an award

sponsored by NASSP and The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. A principals institute and awards

ceremony sponsored by NASSP and MetLife will be held in Washington, DC this fall.

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).

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