Mineola Arts Supervisor Recognized with State Award

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Dr. Joseph Owens

ALBANY, NY (05/04/2021) (readMedia)-- ALBANY, NY – Joseph Owens, Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts at Mineola Public Schools, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Leadership and Support Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). The SAANYS Leadership and Support Award was established to recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of those members whose responsibilities require leadership through support services to educators and students across and between school buildings and districts.

Owens was nominated for this award for his outstanding contributions to visual and performing arts education and commitment to equitable access for all students, not only in his home district of Mineola UFSD, but throughout Nassau County and New York State.

Perhaps the best example of this commitment is the years of work and collaboration by Owens to develop a BOCES service that allows districts countywide, and soon statewide, to more readily and affordably offer quality musical instruments & education to students with the assistance of state aid. The service has been described as a game changer in closing the equity gap, providing needed assistance to districts that may not otherwise have the resources for instrumental music education for all students. "Joe's work and advocacy transcend the district," noted Mineola Superintendent Michael Nagler. He continued, "There were many obstacles in actualizing this [BOCES] CoSer and Joe's determination made it a reality. This commitment to equity and the importance of educating the whole child has created a community passion for the arts."

Continuing his passion for quality arts education in New York State, Owens has also taken on a leadership role in the Balanced Mind Conference, which provides meaningful professional learning to more than 700 arts educators. He also holds leadership roles with the Nassau Music Educators Association, the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education, and the New York State School Music Association, which recently recognized Mineola with its Presidential Citation.

Back in his home district, Owens continues to lead and innovate. The Mineola Summer Arts Institute is one program in particular that Owens is extremely proud of. The Institute began as a small, 9-day summer instrumental program, and under Owens' leadership it has flourished into a month-long, robust summer session offering courses in art, music, dance, drama, coding, digital animation, and more.

Fellow arts administrator Kathryn Behr from neighboring Jericho Union Free School District had this to say about her colleague: "Mr. Owens is a once in a generation leader who strives to improve education for all students and has the skills to actually make it happen."

Owens received his B.Mus. in Music Education from SUNY Potsdam, an M.A. in Music and Music Education from Teachers College at Columbia University, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Technology from Adelphi University. In the spring of 2021 Dr. Owens earned his Ed.D. in Music and Music Education from Teachers College at Columbia University.

SAANYS represents nearly 8,000 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).

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