Victor Primary School Educator Named Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year

ALBANY, NY (03/26/2014)(readMedia)-- Jennifer Check, assistant principal at Victor Primary School in Victor, New York, has been

selected as the 2014 recipient of the New York State Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year by the

School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a

member of SAANYS and the National Association of Elementary School Principals who has set the pace,

character, and quality of education for the children in his or her school. Nominees are administrators who

are committed to students, parents, and the community and have shown exceptional contributions to the

educational process.

Check has worked diligently to streamline processes and build on the foundation of collaborative culture

and learning that Victor Primary School embraces. Over the past year, she established a framework to

support the professional learning communities at the school. Teachers are now on multi-level teams of

varying members in order to better support individual student needs. Colleague Consultation Teams

have also been created to identify interventions for struggling students. These teams have increased the

level of collaboration within the school and have built a culture that is always thinking of supporting

student growth and development.

Additionally, Check has been instrumental in developing the Me and My Mentor program at the school.

Me and My Mentor is a program that creates connections for children struggling with social and

emotional development. Staff members work with children on an individual level – some shooting hoops

before school begins, taking a walk around school, or simply spend time talking and listening to the child

during a lunch or planning time. Check notes how wonderful it is to "watch the children blossom from

this connection."

Check is known as a compassionate leader within her school community. Danielle Dehm, principal of

Victor Primary School, commented that "it is her love for children and the learning process that motivates

her to do the right thing at all times."

As noted by Dawn Santiago-Marullo, superintendent of schools of Victor Central Schools, "Jen Check is

an energetic and creative school leader. She collaborates with staff members, students, and their

families to support a child-centered academic environment where children and adults work together to

learn and grow every day. We're fortunate to have such a talented educational leader working with us at

Victor Central Schools. I'm thrilled that SAANYS and NAESP have selected Jen for the Elementary

Assistant Principal Award. She represents the very best of what a community would want to have in a

school leader."

In a statement summarizing her educational philosophy and experience, Victor Primary School third

grade teacher and science coordinator, Ryan Charno, stated "Jen possesses a genuine love and

appreciation for the young child. She leads with a moral compass that guides her to success in every

aspect of her work. I am extremely optimistic about the future of our education system with leaders like

Jennifer Check leading the way."

Check received her bachelors degree in elementary and early education from Grove City College, her

masters in literacy education from Nazareth College, and her advanced degree in educational leadership

from SUNY Oswego.

Check will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May 9 at the Century House

in Latham, New York. As New York's Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, Check will be celebrated

as a National Distinguished Assistant Principal by the National Association of Elementary School

Principals at a recognition program sponsored by NAESP and VALIC this fall in Washington, DC.

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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