FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 11, 2007
2008 Teacher of the Year Press Release (WORD) | (PDF)
For More Information Contact:
Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201
Internet: http://www.nysed.gov
Fairport HS science teacher named
2008 New York State Teacher of the Year
Richard Ognibene, Jr., a high school chemistry and physics teacher at Fairport High School in Fairport, NY, was chosen as the 2008 New York State Teacher of the Year. Commissioner Richard P. Mills made the announcement at the September meeting of the New York State Board of Regents. A reception and ceremony honoring Mr. Ognibene and the four finalists will be held on October 22, 2007 at the State Education Building in Albany, NY.
Mr. Ognibene is the 38th New York State Teacher of the Year and the first from the Fairport district where he has served for fifteen of his 21 years as a high school science teacher. He also served as an adjunct chemistry professor at Monroe Community College in Henrietta, NY for ten years. His principal, David Paddock, describes Ognibene as exceeding “the expectations that any administrator, parent or, most importantly, a student might have for his/her teacher.”
Fairport parent Debra Tandoi describes Mr. Ognibene as “dedicated to the betterment of his school and community. His involvement clearly shows his commitment to community as well as his level of compassion.” He has inspired former students, some of whom have chosen to pursue careers in science. In 2006 he was awarded the Fairport Crystal Apple Award which is Fairport’s Teacher of the Year Award. In addition to his teaching, Rich is a valued member of his community who generously offers his time and support to numerous committees and activities.
Finalists were: Felipa Gaudet, a kindergarten teacher at Violet Avenue Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY; Anne Sierotnik, a high school English teacher at West Genesee High School in Camillus, NY; Alison Albright, a high school English teacher at Canandaigua Academy in Canandaigua, NY; and Elaine Ormsbee, an Alcohol and Drug Prevention Counselor at Gillette Road Middle School in Cicero, NY.
The State Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by NYSUT (New York State United Teachers, New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers (NYSPTA), the New York State Association for School Curriculum Development (NYSASCD), ING Financial Services Inc., the SMARTer Kids Foundation, SMART Technologies and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The program is run in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by CCSSO.
The process of choosing the Teacher of the Year is rigorous. All applicant portfolios are read and scored by two outside readers, the scores are averaged and the teachers with the top ten scores become the semi-finalists. The semi-finalists’ portfolios are sent to a different committee to be read and scored. The scores are averaged, and the top five become the finalists. Education Department staff interview representatives from each of the finalists’ schools and speak with colleagues, administrators, students, parents and community members. The finalists come to Albany for an interview with the Selection Committee, whose members are representatives from NYSUT, NYSPTA, NYSASCD, the School Administrators Association of New York, the New York State School Boards Association, the New York State Association of Teacher Educators, the New York Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and United Federation of Teachers. The sitting Teacher of the Year also serves on the committee whose chairperson is the previous year’s Teacher of the Year. After the interview, the committee considers all application components and votes to choose the State Teacher of the Year.
Applications for the Teacher of the Year Program are available in the fall of each year from the Teacher Development Programs Unit of the New York State Education Department at (518) 486-6042 or online at: www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/showcase/teacherofyear.htm Individuals identified to Education Department as outstanding teachers are also mailed applications.
2008 Teacher of the Year Press Release (WORD) | (PDF)