Syracuse City SD Administrator Honored as Leader in Digital Education

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Nickolas Scholz

ALBANY, NY (05/07/2021) (readMedia)-- ALBANY, NY – Nickolas Scholz, vice principal in the Syracuse City School District, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Leader in Digital Education Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award recognizes a SAANYS member who has demonstrated exceptional, creative leadership in harnessing the potential of technology to further teaching and student achievement. The candidate will have demonstrated excellent organizational and communication skills in supporting and promoting such innovative digital practices for his/her learning community.

Scholz has successfully integrated technology to enhance his instructional leadership practices as well as student opportunities. Embracing today's digital tools, he has developed better systems for teacher feedback and development, rich digital content in classrooms, and true data-driven decision making. To this end, Scholz and his team hold regular instructional data meetings to analyze the data in meaningful ways for the betterment of both teacher and student growth.

During this unprecedented year, Scholz successfully used his digital know-how to lead the school in the implementation of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a master schedule that could be adapted to work in full remote, hybrid, and full in-person settings. He ensured that ten grade levels had the appropriate educational diet, enrichment and expressive academic periods, professional learning communities, and remote learning support blocks. ln addition, he ensured that all staff felt comfortable with the online learning platforms while also supporting the alignment and consistency of grade-level pages, which was critical to enable parents to be able to understand the school's expectations each week. Commented Academic Intervention Teacher Katie Cramer, "Providing teachers technology in the classroom was important, but more importantly was ensuring the technology and digital programs being used were appropriate and supporting student achievement."

Commented Principal Theresa Haley, "Given the situation we are in with remote learning and hybrid schooling, Mr, Scholz has literally worked 24 hours a day to fully understand each and every platform available. Whether he is trying to determine how one system talks to another for data sharing or how to utilize a platform for improved family communication, Mr. Scholz will not stop learning until he feels he can implement the program to the fullest."

"We are so proud of HW Smith Vice Principal Nick Scholz for being selected as the winner of the SAANYS 2021 Leader in Digital Education Award," Syracuse City School District Superintendent Jaime Alicea said. "Mr. Scholz's colleagues have spoken highly of his exceptional leadership and the ways he has used technology to help HW Smith students succeed. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused new challenges when it comes to students and staff learning new platforms and accessing new technologies. Mr. Scholz has been a go-to within his building to ensure that technology enhances – not hinders – his students' and colleagues' success during this challenging time. His collaborative leadership is what we strive for within the Syracuse City School District, and I commend Mr. Scholz on this well-deserved recognition!"

Scholz received his bachelor of science in mathematics from Oregon State University, his master of science in mathematics education from Syracuse University, and his certificate in advanced studies from SUNY Oswego.

SAANYS represents nearly 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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