NYC Education Leader Honored with Irving Schwartz Distinguished Retiree Award

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Pierre A. Lehmuller

ALBANY, NY (04/05/2023) (readMedia)-- ALBANY, NY – Pierre A. Lehmuller, New York City Elementary School Principals Association (NYCESPA) executive director emeritus, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Irving Schwartz Distinguished Retiree Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a retired education leader who, in retirement, has made significant contributions to the welfare of associations, education, and the greater community.

Lehmuller has been active in education in the state of New York since 1957. He began his career as a social studies teacher and retired as a successful elementary school principal. Since retiring, he has served the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) as conference chair and with NYCESPA as executive director. He transitioned to his current role as executive director emeritus in 2023.

Restructuring the CSA conference to "highlight its purpose as a day of professional learning, networking, and celebration of the union identity of CSA's members" is one of his greatest accomplishments, Lehmuller notes. The recent conference was host to 1,500 attendees.

He also cites the work he has done for NYCESPA, particularly "supporting the work of eleven presidents of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association, so that the organization and its members were seen as advocates and mentors at the local, state, and national levels." Lehmuller adds that the "building of relationships among NYCESPA, SAANYS, and the NAESP is something of which I am particularly proud."

Mark Brodsky, director of the Retiree Chapter, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, says of Lehmuller's work that he "has nurtured school leaders past and present and carried the banner of teaching and learning his entire career – on city, state, and federal levels." Brodsky emphasizes that Lehmuller is "second to none in his commitment to the education of the students and teachers in New York."

Susan Rippe Hofmann, who succeeds Lehmuller as NYCESPA executive director, says that "There are so many whose impact has been shaped by Pierre's knowledge, counsel, and example. I count myself as one of this large and lucky group." She adds that "I can think of no other 'retired educator' who has been of greater service to other school leaders than Pierre Lehmuller."

Dr. Liza Caraballo-Suarez, Principal PS120k and president-elect, National Association of Elementary School Principals, says that "Mr. Lehmuller is an exemplary educator and role model who has dedicated his entire career advocating to improve education throughout his career as well as in his retirement." She adds that "As a champion of children he continues to fight for equity in schools across the nation and exemplifies the best of the best within education."

Lehmuller received his bachelor of science degree and his master of science degree, and pursued post-graduate work at Fordham University.

Lehmuller and fellow 2023 award winners will be recognized at SAANYS' annual awards celebration, taking place on May 5 at the Crown Plaza Albany - Desmond Hotel.