Glen Cove Administrator ?Selected Middle School Principal of the Year

Related Media

Anael Alston

ALBANY, NY (04/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Anael Alston, principal at Robert M. Finley Middle School in the Glen Cove City School District, has been selected as the 2011 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 school leader 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.

Alston has been an educator for 16 years and a school administrator for 11, six in his current position. Finley is an urban middle school, grades 6-8, in Nassau County with a total enrollment of 655. When asked to summarize his educational philosophy, Altston stated, "Providing a quality public education to all members of society is one of the most important things America has to do. Providing a quality education to the students in the Glen Cove community is the most important work I do."

In letters of recommendation, Alston is complimented on his leadership skills, his dedication to his students and the community, and his many accomplishments. According to Allen Hudson III, assistant principal at Glen Cove High School, Alston has "worked tirelessly with the administration, staff, students, and the community to cultivate a true change in culture in this [Finley] building."

It is noted that Alston's hard work and philosophy resulted in Finley Middle School being recognized as one of five middle schools in the nation for academic successes through the 2011 MetLife Foundation NASSP Breakthrough School Program. The goal of the project is to identify, recognize, and showcase middle level and high schools that serve large numbers of students living in poverty and are high achieving or dramatically improving student achievement.

With almost half of the 652 students considered economically in need, gaps in student achievement have decreased significantly just as all student achievement has improved over the last five years. This improvement is attributed to targeted professional development that has focused on differentiated, hands-on classroom instruction.

Alston has received several awards for his work in education including the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award and a citation from New York State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine. He is a member of several professional and community associations.

Alston will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 6, 2011 at the Century House in Latham, New York. Alston is now a candidate for the award of National Middle School Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (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.

–30–

SAANYS represents more than 7,200 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.