Homer Principal Selected Elementary Principal of the Year

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Ruth King

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Ruth G. King, principal of the Homer Elementary School in the Homer Central School District, has been selected as the 2010 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.

King has been an elementary-level administrator for 20 years, 18 of those years in her present position. Homer Elementary is a K-2 rural school with an enrollment of 420 students. King previously served as an elementary teacher, a remedial reading teacher, and a pre-school teacher trainer for the United States Peace Corps in Managua, Nicaragua.

King cites the development of an exceptional character education program among the accomplishments for which she is most proud. Her commitment to her students and the school community as a whole are evident. When describing the development of the character education program, she stated: "Our students, parents, and staff created a positive energy that continues to permeate our school."

In a letter of support for King's nomination, Jason Clark, principal at Lake Street Elementary School in the Chittenango Central School District, notes a long history of support and encouragement from King beginning when he was a senior in high school, traversing through acquisition of his teaching degree, and mentoring him as he moved into administration. Clark stated, "Ruth's creative and student-centered philosophy is an attribute that makes her an effective educational leader."

Ted Larison, Homer's director of technology, speaks highly of King and compliments her ability to draw people together. Larison states, "Understanding that people will support what they create, her personal invitations for involvement end up with team members feeling they are making meaningful contributions. Ruth King has given our district stable, reliable, and visionary leadership on many levels."

King holds a bachelor's degree from Kean University in New Jersey, a master's and a certificate of advanced study from SUNY Cortland. She is an active member of SAANYS and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, ASCD, Seven Valleys Reading Council, and several other professional and community organizations.

King will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 7, 2010 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. As New York's Elementary School Principal of the Year, King will be celebrated as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals at a recognition program sponsored by NAESP and AIG Valic 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.