Staten Island Principal Honored as Secondary Principal of the Year

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Mark Erlenwein

ALBANY, NY (04/25/2022) (readMedia)-- ALBANY, NY – Mark Erlenwein, principal at Staten Island Technical High School, has been selected as the New York State Secondary School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to recognize an outstanding principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

Erlenwein will also represent New York State as the NASSP NYS Principal of the Year as sponsored by SAANYS' national affiliate, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). NASSP will select a National Principal of the Year from all the state finalists.

Erlenwein has instilled a culture among the Staten Island Technical High School (SITHS) community that fosters the development of kind, intellectual, and creative lifelong learners. The school's collective spirit enables their scholars to come together as passionate, talented, multi-skilled, and resilient global citizens supported through rigorous academics, balanced with mental and physical health and wellness practices, grounded in a desire and love for learning.

The SITHS approach cultivates curiosity, capacity, the courage to try, and the validation of "failure." At SITHS, student efforts are applauded as they FAIL (First-Attempt-In-Learning), SAIL (Second-Attempt-in-Learning) and TAIL (Third-Attempt-in-Learning) success. Students are nurtured towards a gracious knowledge that learning and true development comes from the journey, which was, in fact, always the goal. This approach, says Erlenwein, is critical to prepare students for the challenges of the real world.

SITHS Teacher and WBL Coordinator Jennifer Fitzpatrick commented, "Mr. Erlenwein empowers members of the SITHS community with leadership opportunities that support their learning, growing, and thriving. Mr. Erlenwein often reflects on our school's collective work, experience, and journey, speaking openly and honestly about his approach, and gives all members the opportunity to share their assessments/feedback and impact future decisions."

School Administrator Joseph Manzo notes that "The SITHS community is led by a principal who is the embodiment of a great leader, who puts the well-being of the people in our SITHS community at the forefront of all decisions. He is a principal who remembers that there is more to education than just grades. Our school's culture/tone is reflective of Mr. Erlenwein's amazing spirit." Manzo adds that "Respect, empathy, character, service, practice, fun are centerpieces for Mark's recipe for successful learning. He has become a 'go-to' resource for our community partners, other schools in our District, and across New York City."

Erlenwein has been the principal at Staten Island Technical High School for the past 9 years and has been in school administration for a total of 16 years. He received his bachelor's and master's degree in English Rhetoric from CUNY-The College of Staten Island and his Administrator's Certificate from the College of St. Rose.

Erienwein and fellow 2022 award winners will be recognized at SAANYS' annual awards celebration, taking place on May 6 at the Crown Plaza Albany - Desmond Hotel.

SAANYS represents over 8,000 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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