Roxbury Principal Honored for K-12 Building Leadership

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Eric Windover, K-12 Principal of the Year

ALBANY, NY (04/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Eric Windover, pre-kindergarten-12 principal of Roxbury Central School, a rural school with an enrollment of 360 in Delaware County, has been selected as the recipient for the 2012 K-12 Building Principal Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).

The K-12 Building Principal Award was created to recognize the unique characteristics of a K-12 building and the related demands, expectations, and challenges of a principal in this multi-level environment. It is given annually to a SAANYS member who is a successful K-12 principal, a recognized educational leader, and who demonstrates leadership in establishing the pace, character, and mission of the building and demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in providing comprehensive programs and services for all levels and grades.

Windover has served in the field of education for 10 years, four in administration in his present position. When asked about his experience as an administrator, Windover stated: "Whether it is by shaking the hand of a graduating senior or by wiping the tear from the face of a kindergarten student, there are opportunities as a PreK-12 principal to connect with children that do not exist in other education settings."

Windover's commitment to the children in his care and to his school community is in evidence daily according to Maria Johnson, Roxbury's library media specialist. In her letter of recommendation for the award, she described how Windover time after time comes up with creative challenges to encourage students at all levels to read – from walking the plank and being plunged into green slime, to dancing an Irish jig with a step dancer, to dressing the part of a hard rocker complete with tattoos and guitar and singing with a live band.

Said Dr. Darlene Westinghouse, director of the Instructional Support Services Department at Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES, "Eric is a leader among his peers. He is always willing to share his ideas and continually goes out of his way to foster collaboration amongst all of the other principals."

Windover will be recognized for his achievements at the SAANYS annual awards ceremony on May 4, 2012 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).