ALBANY, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Peter Hutchison, assistant principal of Amityville Memorial High School in Amityville, New York, has been selected as the 2010 New York State Assistant Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS and the National Association of Secondary School Principals/Virco, 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.
Hutchison has served as an educator for 31 years including six years as an assistant principal at Amityville High. Amityville High is a grade 10-12 suburban school with a total enrollment of approximately 669. Hutchison has received several awards throughout his career including the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Amityville Parents in 2009.
In a statement summarizing his educational philosophy and experience, Hutchison said, "Improving student achievement occurs almost naturally when you encourage the development of positive relationships between the kids, the teachers, and the administrators, provide them with a rigorous and relevant curriculum, and demonstrate day in and day out that you care. Kids don't want to disappoint those who care about them."
Dr. Scott Andrews, principal at Amityville, said in his nomination, "In addition to being an outstanding instructional leader, Mr. Hutchison understands the incredible value of relationship-building as it relates to whole school reform. His skill and willingness to put in the hard work it takes to transform and maintain our school community's positive culture is unmatched."
Hutchison will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 7, 2010 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. As New York's Assistant Principal of the Year, Hutchison is now a candidate for the award of National Assistant Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Virco. An awards ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C. in April.
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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.