SCSD Staff Members Celebrated at SCSD Education Foundation Recognition Breakfast

At the 19^th Annual Syracuse City School District Educational Foundation Recognition Breakfast, eight SCSD staff members were recognized as 2023 Educators of the Year.
 
These individuals were celebrated for their passion and deep commitment to the support and success of our students. Congratulations to these 2023 Educators of the Year:
   
At the Recognition Breakfast, we also shared more about the grant projects that were funded this year – the 20^th year that the SCSD Educational Foundation has funded innovative projects in our schools.
 
Finally, two distinguished SCSD Alumni received the 2023 Alumni Award – selected by a vote among the Syracuse community. Congratulations to Quindell Williams (Nottingham Class of 2003) and Murjan Abdi (ITC Class of 2019)!
 
Read on to learn more about this year’s Educators of the Year. We are so proud of all of this year’s honorees – and we are grateful for the continued support of the SCSD Educational Foundation. To learn more about the Educational Foundation and its upcoming events, click here.
 
Veronica Robinson, School Monitor, Expeditionary Learning Middle School
 
Veronica Robinson has dedicated her entire career to the Syracuse City School District. She has been the School Monitor at Expeditionary Learning Middle School (ELMS) since it opened back in 2008. Veronica is known as “the heart of the school” and that is why she was nominated by not one, not two, but three of her colleagues! There isn’t a day that goes by where she isn’t doing everything she can to make sure every student feels welcome and loved, and she does the same for staff. She greets everyone at the door with a smile and a hug if they need it. Whenever there is work to be done, or a student who needs an adult, Ms. Robinson is there.
 
Kirsten Zalick, Teaching Assistant, Salem Hyde Elementary School
 
Patient, open-hearted, skilled, a listener, and a teacher. These are a few words used to describe Kirsten Zalick is a Student Support Center Teaching Assistant at Salem Hyde Elementary School. When students need teaching on social skills, social emotional regulation and behavioral coaching, Ms. Zalick is the staff member to take the lead. One only needs to visit her classroom for fifteen minutes to hear her talking with students to be impressed. Kirsten is an integral member of her school community and her relationships with students and families are paramount to their success. She is kind, loving, but firm, all while holding students to their highest potential. She takes the lead in training the staff in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for School (TCIS). Her calm demeanor and collaboration with not only students, but also other support staff, administration, and classroom teachers is an example we can all learn from.
 
Terrice Ingersoll, Elementary Teacher, STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School
 
Terrice Ingersoll is a brilliant 2nd grade teacher at STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School.  Mrs. Ingersoll sets an excellent example for her students and other teachers by overcoming challenges in her life with dignity and fortitude. The way Mrs. Ingersoll encourages students to move confidently has had a positive impact on her students and their way of learning. When she arrives at work, she gives her all. That is why she was nominated by a former student, whom she taught 13 years ago. Her former student stated, “Mrs. Ingersoll is the teacher/mentor that I will forever respect, love and cherish. I will never forget her influence.”
 
Erin Horton, Elementary Teacher, Montessori at LeMoyne
 
Erin Horton (Ms. Erin) is an Elementary School Teacher at Montessori School at LeMoyne. Erin has made herself available to parents at all times for any questions or concerns. She has taken the time to truly get to know the families of her students on a personal level, which goes beyond the classroom. She is able to view each child as an individual and as a whole, which has helped them not only become team players but also leaders. Erin has created an environment for these students where there are boundaries, but the students are still comfortable to express themselves. These are just a few of the reasons why she was nominated by a parent to one of her students for the Educator of the Year award. The parent states, “I can proudly say, thank you to Mrs. Erin, that my daughter has been able to write her whole name since October. Situations like these might seem small; however, we live in a community where MOST families have a complex family dynamic. I believe we need more teachers like Ms. Erin, who not only try to understand this, but also embrace it. I am so thankful my daughter was placed in her class.”
 
Dimitrios Kiritsis, Special Education Teacher, Syracuse Latin School
 
Dimitrios Kiritsis is a shining beacon of light in his classroom and throughout the whole school. He has been a Special Education Teacher at Hughes and Syracuse Latin for over 21 years.  Dimitrios is an incredibly kind and passionate child advocate who has spent his teaching career working with multiple disabled children. His motto is “presume competence” and he has high expectations for his young students. He works tirelessly to engage families and develop a family-like atmosphere within his classroom that has ultimately allowed for the students and families to feel safe. His enthusiasm is contagious and both students and families respect, admire and, most of all, trust him. Every year he hosts a Thanksgiving celebration where all his families and staff are invited to a feast, which includes students on his roster who are medically homebound. This allows families who have yet to meet the classroom staff and peers in person to feel more comfortable knowing what school would be like, should they attend in person. Dimitrios puts 100% into everything he does. He is dedicated, compassionate, and everything you would want in an educator. The way the faces of his students light up when they see him or hear his voice is really something special. Dimitrios is constantly advocating for his students, never backing down until they get what they need to be successful, which is why he was nominated by not four, not six but EIGHT of his colleagues. Dimitrios is one of those teachers you come across once in a great while and always finds the time to make someone feel special.
 
Kelli Cooney, Adult Education Teacher, Promising Futures Leadership Academy (PFLA)
 
Kelli Cooney is an Adult Education Teacher at Promising Futures Leadership Academy (PFLA). She has been in the district for 13 years. Kelli is beyond passionate about the students she works with in the Adult Education Program. She consistently dedicates her time and energy to her students and is always in pursuit of helping someone in one of her classes or on her team. She has recently developed the Adult Education website so she could clearly communicate the programs and services offered to families in the community. It has become a stellar resource for individuals seeking to further their education. She knows that her students and colleagues are worthy of praise, and she is the first one to shout that praise encouraging others to help it spread as far as it can go. Each time you see Kelli, you smile. She is a true asset to the SCSD.
 
Kuricheses Alexander, District Administrator, STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School
 
Kuricheses Alexander is the Principal for STEAM at Dr. King Elementary. Ms. Alexander is a strong leader who supports her staff and students 100%. She wears many hats and STEAM @ Dr. King is very lucky to have her! Whether she is outside getting students off the bus, serving lunch or teaching a math lesson to a student who is struggling, she sets a wonderful example for our entire school community. She is honest and fair, and always puts her students first. She always wears a smile and is ready to listen when necessary. Her positive attitude is seen and appreciated daily. She is truly a standout and deserves to be recognized for her exceptional work.
 
Andrew Nolan, District Administrator at Nottingham High School
 
Principal Andrew Nolan’s commitment to students, staff and families in the Syracuse City School District is noteworthy. He is highly effective at cultivating both relationships and student achievement across multiple metrics. His heart, dedication, and hard work ethic, ensuring all students are successful is unmatched. Student achievement has been increased by design through Principal Nolan’s transformational leadership. It was essential to Principal Nolan that ALL of the students and families tasted success at Porter. Principal Nolan has fostered trust, positive culture and climate in both buildings through his interactions with staff, students and families. His support of staff is unmatched. As a former student at Porter, and a graduate of the Syracuse City School District, Principal Nolan has dedicated his professional career to stay in the district. From teacher to an administrator, he goes above and beyond. Porter Elementary is an upbeat learning community cultivated by Principal Nolan that brings out the best in students, staff and the entire learning community by design, and now Nottingham is fortunate to have his leadership.