Port Jervis Administrator Named High School Assistant Principal of the Year

Related Media

Heidi Nyland

ALBANY, NY (04/04/2014)(readMedia)-- Heidi Nyland, assistant principal of Port Jervis High School in Port Jervis, New York, has been selected as the 2014 New York State High School 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 (NASSP), 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.

Nyland has been recognized as an outstanding leader since the day she interviewed for her current

position six years ago. "She impressed us from the moment the interview began. Her professional

demeanor, knowledge of curriculum, and experience with testing and discipline were head and shoulders

above any of the other candidates." stated Thomas Bongiovi, superintendent of Port Jervis School

District. She continues to impress with her skills in handling a myriad of responsibilities, which include

chairing the 504 committee. "At the end of the day, most educated people can learn to do the things that

I have described. What sets Heidi apart, and what cannot be learned, but is developed over a career, is

her ability to reach the most difficult, indifferent, and combative students, get them to have pride in

themselves, and graduate from high school. There is an ever growing list of students who I know would

not have graduated from Port Jervis High School if Heidi Nyland wasn't there for them." continued

Bongiovi.

One of Nyland's most important accomplishments is her ability to compassionately connect with all

students at Port Jervis and encourage them to have pride in themselves and graduate from high school,

as well as often checking on them, counseling them, and even taking the time to call and wake them up

for school if needed. Commented Andrew Marotta, principal of Port Jervis High School, "Another

wonderful thing Mrs. Nyland does for our students, specifically the girls, is she acts as a role model. She

has taken countless girls under her wing to help them and get them through these tough teenage years.

She talks to the girls about dress code, dating, and how to speak and act appropriately, all of which have

nothing to do with their math scores." As noted by one of the seniors in the graduating class who sent a

card along with flowers to Nyland, "Thank you for all that you did for me during my time at PJHS. You

mothered me a lot, but you also kicked me in the behind when I needed it. I made it because of you.

Thank you!"

Nyland is a committed leader who continually exceeds expectations. Colleagues note, "From organizing

Thanksgiving dinners for families in need, to loaning out her own sneakers to a student who needs them

for PE class, Mrs. Nyland goes above and beyond the typical duties of an administrator. She is dedicated

in all aspects of her life."

Nyland will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 9 at the Century House

in Latham. As the SAANYS/NASSP High School Assistant Principal of the Year, Nyland is now a

candidate for the award of National Assistant 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.

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).

###