Jamesville-Dewitt Principal Named High School Principal of the Year

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Gasparini, High School Principal of the Year

ALBANY, NY (04/16/2012)(readMedia)-- Paul Gasparini, principal at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, has been selected as the 2012 New York State High 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 and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (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.

Gasparini has served as an educator for 27 years including 17 years as a school administrator, 11 in his current position. Jamesville-Dewitt is a grade 9-12 suburban school in Onondaga County.

Gasparini was nominated based on his dedication, commitment, and ability as a school leader. Jamesville-Dewitt parent Mary Coughlin submitted a letter of recommendation for Garparini in which she describes him as an excellent leader who is extremely well-suited and impressive as a high school principal. She adds that the school under his charge is one where there is a dynamic sense of school spirit, where students are regularly recognized for their accomplishments and feel supported and safe. Middle school principal Peter Smith agreed and spoke of the ways in which Gasparini's students are encouraged to excel. "Paul has established and maintains a school environment that reflects high expectations for students and staff by opening all courses to any student willing to challenge the curriculum. These changes have motivated students to attempt more difficult courses and to push themselves to succeed at a very high level. The result of this focus is greater success for students coupled with an expectation that all staff will meet the individual learning needs of any student in their course. By opening these doors, Paul has allowed students to realize their full academic potential and to pursue topics of interest which ensures that each student has the best possible chance of realizing success."

Dr. Alice Kendrick, Jamesville Dewitt's superintendent of schools, notes that, "His [Gasparini's] positive relationships with staff, parents, and most importantly students continue as a major strength and an important key to success. He is truly a dedicated professional leader who influences all around him to work toward being the best they can be."

Gasparini is an active member of SAANYS in which he serves on the Government Relations Committee and the Assessment Advisory Committee; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; the Task Force for Teacher and Principal Evaluation; and chairs the Central New York High School Principals Consortium. In addition, he is an active member of the Fabius-Pompey Recreation Board, a den leader for Boy Scouts of America, and is a Lector in the Immaculate Conception Church.

Gasparini will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 4, 2012 at the Century House in Latham, New York. As New York's High School Principal of the Year, Gasparini is now a candidate for the award of National High 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.

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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).