Retired Watervliet Educator Honored for Life-Long Contributions to Education

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2014)(readMedia)-- Tom Sands, retired administrator from the Watervliet Central School District, has been selected as the 2014 recipient of the Irving Schwartz Distinguished Retiree Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).

Irving Schwartz was a founding member of SAANYS. His exceptional leadership and unwavering

dedication to his profession was demonstrated through his countless years of participation in SAANYS

and its national affiliate, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This award is

given annually to a retired SAANYS member who, in retirement, has made significant contributions to the

welfare of the association, education, and the greater community.

During his tenure as an administrator, Tom Sands was well known for mentoring many colleagues and

teaching them everything necessary about the operations as well as the instructional side of leading a

school. Colleagues collectively note that it was considered an honor to be selected as one of Sands'

interns or assistant principals. He has continued his passion for mentoring into his retirement. Well

known for his generous nature, fellow administrators know that Sands "is available each weeknight and

every weekend to speak to administrators to give them advice and counsel when they need an

experienced, kind person to listen to their concerns and to provide some steps for resolution."

Not only has Sands been active in mentoring fellow administrators, he has also been a long standing and

dedicated member of SAANYS, serving the association in various capacities for more than a quarter

century, first as a member of its statewide board of directors for many years, and currently as the Region

6 (Capital District and surrounding areas) representative. Additionally, he was a founding member of the

SAANYS Vanguard Magazine Editorial Board, has been instrumental in working to increase scholarship

opportunities for students in Region 6, and works passionately each year to organize the Region 6

Awards Ceremony.

Sands will be honored for his contributions at an awards ceremony on May 9 at the Century House in

Latham, New York.

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).

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