Franklin Principal Honored for K-12 Building Leadership

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Jason Thomson

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Jason Thomson, kindergarten-12 principal and director of special education for Franklin Central School in Delaware County, has been selected as the recipient for the 2010 K-12 Building Principal Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).

The K-12 Building Principal Award was created to recognize the unique characteristics of a K-12 building and the related demands, expectations, and challenges of a principal in this multi-level environment. It is given annually to a SAANYS member who is a successful K-12 principal, a recognized educational leader, and who has demonstrated leadership in establishing the pace, character, and mission of the building and demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness in providing comprehensive programs and services for all levels and grades.

Thomson has served in the field of education for nine years, four in his present position. When asked about his educational philosophy, Thomson stated, "My philosophy of education is to establish a learning environment that is fun, friendly, and fair for all students and teachers." According to Barbara Lennon, school library media specialist at Franklin, Thomson has succeeded. In her recommendation, Lennon outlines several of Thomson's achievements including his initiating a faculty/staff/student advisory group in which each student in grades 7-12 is assigned a faculty or staff member who acts as a mentor/friend in a non-academic capacity. She went on to say, "Jason Thomson is an extraordinary principal with immeasurable commitment to the education and welfare of all students. His dedication to the students, parents, and community of Franklin makes it both an honor and a privilege to work with Jason and to nominate him for such a prestigious award."

Thomson is a member of several professional associations, has coached several sports, volunteers his time to several programs both in the school and the community, and has been recognized with several awards and honors including BOCES Administrator of the Year. Thomson holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Springfield College, a master's in health education and his administration certification from SUNY Cortland.

Thomson will be recognized for his achievements at the SAANYS annual awards ceremony on May 7, 2010 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York.

SAANYS represents more than 7,000 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to provide 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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