Rochester Educator Honored for? Outstanding Contributions to Secondary Education

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Blocker, James E. Allen Award Winner

ALBANY, NY (04/09/2013)(readMedia)-- Marlene Blocker, principal at Early College International High School (RECIHS) in the Rochester City School District, has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the James E. Allen Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).

James E. Allen, a pillar of educational leadership who served as commissioner of education in New York State, was known for his strong support of secondary school administrators. This award is given annually to a SAANYS member who is a secondary school administrator, supervisor, or coordinator who has given significant contributions to education and leadership at the secondary school level and service to the community and professional organizations including SAANYS.

Blocker serves as the founding principal at RECIHS, a grade 9-12 urban school with a total enrollment of 274. She is a member of SAANYS as well as the National Association of Secondary School Principals and several other professional organizations including the Asia Society International Studies School Network and the Rochester Leadership Academy. Blocker has been the recipient of several awards and honors including selection as a 2012 United States Bridge Delegate to China and a New York State Early College High Schools Model Site.

In a statement from Blocker, she spoke about her choice to move from elementary administration to her principalship at RECIHS. She recounted the years that she scanned the graduation names in July newspapers for names of past students, remembering sending them off "full of pride and with a hopeful heart" only to find very few of those "bright shining stars that I had loved and nurtured from K-6th grade made it to high school graduation." Wanting to become part of the solution, she volunteered to step up and lead the newly developing Early College International High School. Kelly Flagler, literacy coach at RECIHS, says, "We anticipate around a 90 percent graduate rate among our first cohort of seniors, which ranks us among the most successful inner-city high schools in the country." This compares to the district graduation rate of less than 50 percent.

Letters of support for her award nomination came from fellow principals, teachers, students, and community members. All spoke of Blocker's integrity, dedication, tireless efforts, and above all, her passion. Kimberly Buonomo, a third grade teacher who worked with Bloker at Francis Parker School #23, summed up the comments of all, saying "She has the ability to see each child's potential and helps them to create a path where their dreams and goals will be fulfilled."

Blocker will be recognized for her achievements at an awards ceremony on May 10, 2013 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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