Bethpage-Tribune_2009-01-30

              Bethpage Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard S. Marsh has been
honored with the Nassau BOCES " Education Partner" Award. Dr. Marsh is
one of just 15 recipients of this prestigious award, given to the most influ-ential
and outstanding educators, administrators, board members, commu-nity
and business leaders, nonprofit organization executives and volunteers
who advocate for public education in Nassau County.
Education's answer to the " Oscars," the Nassau BOCES " Education
Partner" award recognizes those whose impact on public education in
Nassau County can be measured in ^ very tangible way. A strategic educa-tion
partner with local school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created
this program to pay tribute to those who share its commitment to providing
the best possible education for learners of all ages and abilities.
" I am grateful to be recognized with my peers and to stand side by side
with those who work tirelessly to enhance teaching and learning for all stu-dents
in Nassau County," said Dr. Marsh, who announced his retirement
this month after 10 years in Bethpage, the last five as Superintendent.
" This award is the culmination of a long, but satisfying career that has
bestowed upon me not only this great honor, but the reward of seeing the
efforts we put forth in Bethpage come to fruition. We have achieved aca-demic
excellence thanks to an inspired and cohesive staff and a strong
school- to- community partnership that is second to none. I thank Nassau
BOCES for acknowledging my body of work, as well as the Board of
Education for providing me with the opportunity to lead in Bethpage. On
behalf of the District, we are proud to be part of a County and region that
is home to many of the best school systems in the nation."
Dr. Marsh is recognized for his 39- year career in public education, 38
serving in Nassau County. In his years in both District and building admin-istrative
positions, Dr. Marsh has proven to be a dynamic leader, fostering
strong partnerships with businesses, elected officials, and colleges to
enhance educational opportunities and resources for students and secure
additional financial support and cost- effective services.
A proponent for preparing teachers and others to pursue leadership
positions in Nassau County schools, Dr. Marsh has served as a mentor for
numerous educators seeking entry into administrative positions, and was
instrumental in bringing an Administrative Cohort Program for prospective
administrators to Bethpage from C. W. Post College. A number of Bethpage
teachers completed the program and were ultimately hired as administrators in
Bethpage. Moreover, several alumni have returned to Bethpage to pursue their
teaching careers, citing the professional development programs, previous
interaction with administration and staff, and overall environment.
Dr. Marsh is also recognized for his research and consultation on the elim-ination
of student tracking, endorsing a democratic public school system
where all students have the opportunity for rich discussion and work with role
models they can emulate. He has conducted various workshops and seminars
on this topic, and is published ' widely in textbooks and professional journals.
" Response to our ' Education Partner' awards program continues to be
extraordinary," says Dr. Robert J. Hanna, Nassau BOCES deputy superinten-dent.
" Through this innovative program, everyone who has ever been influ-enced
by public education has an opportunity to show appreciation by nomi-nating
outstanding candidates for the award."
More than 90 nominations for the 2009 award were received. " One of the
nicest things about this program is that — just like Nassau BOCES — it is
open to people from all walks of life, and we are proud that our honorees
reflect this diversity," says Hanna.
In addition to Dr. Marsh, the 14 other 2009 Education Partner Award
recipients are: Dr. Jack Bierwirth, superintendent, Herricks Public Schools,
Jennifer J. Bumford, principal, California Avenue School, Uniondale School
District, Jean Lahage Cohen, executive director, Mentoring Partnerships of
Long Island and New York, Dr. Robert P. Dell'Amore, founder, owner. The
Healthy Kitchen, Inc., Life Skills for Healthy Eating and Cooking,
Dr. Ronald L. Friedman, superintendent, Great Neck Public Schools,
Emmanuel Giusto, volunteer, Fulton Avenue School # 8, Oceanside School
District, William H. Johnson, Ed. D., superintendent, Rockville Centre School
District, George Keckler, orientation and mobility instructor, Nassau BOCES,
Alisty Joy Keneth, president, AJK Diversified, Dr. Kevin N. McGuire, profes-sor,
Center for Leadership and Accountability, St. John's University, John C.
McNeur, executive director and founder, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of
New York, James W. Reed, deputy commissioner, Nassau County Office of
Consumer Affairs, Roger Tilles, member, New York State Board of Regents
and Stephen B. Witt, board member, Hewlett- Woodmere Public Schools.
Honorees will receive their " Education Partner" awards at a gala in their
honor hosted by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation on Thursday,
May 7, 2009, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Proceeds from the gala sup-port
the foundation's grants program, which in turn funds creative and innova-tive
educational programs that are outside of the organization's normal operat-ing
budget.
For additional information about the Nassau BOCES " Education Partner"
awards, please visit www. nassauboces. org/ educationpartner — which includes
profiles of each year's honorees, photos from last year's awards gala and a
link to the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation ^^ JijsAte.
Established in 1967, the Board of Cooperative EdUcanowai es of Nassau
County ( Nassau BOCES) is a public agency that partners wiu. unty's 56
local school districts to create, develop and implement programs anu . ces
that would otherwise be too costly for individual school districts. As a res,
county residents enjoy all the benefits of locally controlled schools while
reaping the financial savings of a large cooperative.
Nassau BOCES offers more than 130 cost- effective, shared programs and
services, including career training for high school students and adults, special
education, alternative schools, technology education and teacher training, as
well as dozens of programs to expand educational opportunities and help dis-tricts
operate more efficiently.