We are proud to share a press release announced on March 21, 2019, by the School Administrators Association of New York State:
Doreen McSain, principal at Glenwood Elementary School in the Vestal Central
School District, has been selected as the 2019 New York State Elementary
Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York
State (SAANYS) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals
(NAESP). This award is given annually to a member of SAANYS and NAESP who is
clearly committed to excellence, has programs designed to meet the academic and
social needs of all students, and has firm ties to parents and the community.
Since joining the leadership at Glenwood Elementary School almost ten years
ago, McSain's priority has been to create a school environment where she would
want her own children to attend, "a place where the adults and students
value each other and where acts of kindness and consideration run
rampant." To that end, her nomination by a large team of faculty, staff,
parents, and students embodies her mission as an exceptional and compassionate
leader. Noted fourth grade teacher Jessica Mirtallo, "Doreen makes
parental and community involvement in the school a focus at Glenwood
Elementary. Both families and students often comment on how wonderful it is to
have these positive experiences at school." Commented parent Sanjiv Patel,
"Principal McSain has created a culture of development, friendship, and
dedication. You can see these and other core values all over the Glenwood
campus. She has truly been an inspiration to the teachers and parents."
One of the students described her this way, "You might think that Mrs.
McSain is a special person, that is true. Believe me, she is."
McSain considers herself the school's lead learner and is also known as a
mentor who cultivates leadership in others. She and her teaching team have
implemented several innovative programs such as a "Learning Through
Play" program where students use an imaginative play space in order to
practice social skills in a supervised setting; a "One Book, One
School" initiative where the entire school reads the same book at the same
time as a way to build community; and a dedicated "Maker Space" where
all the children have the opportunity to engage in hands on STEAM time.
Commented Glenwood School Counselor Stephanie Mitsakos, "Doreen is the
heart of our building. Keeping open and honest lines of communication with her
staff is a continuous priority. She has helped create and foster programs that
have seen tremendous success." Noted Reading Specialist Tammy Wanck,
"We teachers take pride in our accomplishments at Glenwood Elementary School
because we have the support and understanding that, although our work is not
easy, together we can make great things happen. This is all due to a great
leader who is dedicated and passionate about providing a place we are all proud
to call our school."
Commented Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Laura Lamash, "I
have often said that I cannot 'do it' without Doreen McSain. In her you find an
educator who has committed her life to enriching the lives of students and
teachers through creating a school where learning is joyful and friendships
abound."
McSain received her bachelor of science in elementary education from SUNY
Cortland, her master of science in literacy education from Binghamton
University, and her certificate of advanced study in school leadership from
SUNY Cortland.
McSain will be honored for her accomplishments at an awards ceremony on May
3 at the Century House in Latham, New York. As New York's Elementary School
Principal of the Year, McSain will be celebrated as a National Distinguished
Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals at a
recognition program sponsored by NAESP 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).