ALBANY, NY (04/09/2008)(readMedia)-- REVISED - REVISED - REVISED
ALBANY, NY (04/08/2008; 1145)(readMedia)-- Jeffrey S. Craig, principal of Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, has been selected as the 2008 New York State Middle 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 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.
Craig has been a middle-level educator and leader for 20 years, has served as a school administrator for nearly 9 years, and has been principal at Jamesville-DeWitt for four years. Jamesville-DeWitt is a suburban middle school in Onondaga County with a total enrollment of 902. In her letter of recommendation, Dr. Alice Kendrick, superintendent of schools, states, “passion for education is recognized by all who come in contact with Jeff. In his four-year tenure at Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, the building has engaged in professional learning as a community, willing to research and engage in new programs and practices. He has effectively shared instructional leadership and empowered the teaching staff . . .”
Kerri McKee, a health teacher at Jamesville-DeWitt, also speaks of Craig’s passion. “Jeff has helped to foster and create a learning community that places students at the center of the educational process. He promotes and models strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for students and school staff academically, socially, and personally.”
Craig holds a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, a master’s in curriculum and instruction, and a certificate of advanced study, educational administration, all from SUNY Oswego. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Syracuse University. Craig is an active member of many professional associations at both the state and national levels and has authored several published articles in trade journals.
Craig will be honored for his accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 9, 2008 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. As New York’s Middle School Principal of the Year, Craig is now a candidate for the award of National Elementary School Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). –30– SAANYS represents more than 6,900 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.
-30-