Nassau BOCES "Educational Partner" Awards Gala
When: May 12, 2011
Where: Crest Hollow Country Club
 

Hundreds unite to salute 'Education Partners' Event's success means more grant opportunities for you in 2011-12       The "Education Partner" honorees are, back row, from left: Ryan, Sean and Kyle Haber; Peter J. Gibbons; Dr. Anael Alston; Paul D. Failla; Ronald J. Ellerbe; Robert G. Allen; and Jonathan Zimmerman. Front row, from left: Amy M. Rumelt; Catherine R. Beasley; Laura Lee Lustbader, Ph.D.; Susan Bergtraum; Debbie Podolski, who accepted on behalf of her late husband Fred; and Anne Crowley. View more photos.     Long Island's public education community gathered en masse on May 12 to pay tribute to some of its greatest advocates. That's when Nassau BOCES presented 16 honorees with its "Education Partner" award before a cheering crowd at the Crest Hollow Country Club. A strategic education partner with school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created the awards program to honor those who share its commitment to providing the best possible education to learners of all ages and abilities. The awards were presented during a gala held by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation, which raises funds for innovative educational programs that fall outside of the agency's budget. "Tonight we are honoring 16 people for their commitment to helping ensure our children's futures," said Dr. Thomas Rogers, district superintendent for Nassau BOCES. "Individually and collectively, they have had a powerful impact on public education in this county, and we have all benefited from their efforts." The honorees ranged from corporate CEOs and school board members to a teacher who runs a non-profit organization out of his garage. For the first time, the award was presented to a group — three teenage brothers, who have raised more than $500,000 to help fund education for children with autism. The 2011 Nassau BOCES "Education Partner" honorees are: (click names for more information)     Robert G. Allen President and CEO Teachers Federal Credit Union       Peter J. Gibbons District Director Fine and Performing Arts Island Trees UFSD                   Dr. Anael Alston Principal Robert M. Finley Middle School Glen Cove City SD       Henry L. Grishman Superintendent Jericho UFSD                   Catherine R. Beasley Math, Science and Technology Specialist Roosevelt UFSD       Sean, Ryan and Kyle Haber Youth Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen Ascent Youth Alliance to Battle Autism and 4 Boyz Autographs to Battle Autism                   Susan Bergtraum Board Trustee, District Clerk Nassau BOCES       Laura Lee Lustbader, Ph.D. Supervisor, Programs for Youth, Family Literacy Programs Nassau BOCES                   Anne Crowley Senior Work Environment Manager Marriott International       Fred M. Podolski Former Executive Director Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Nassau BOCES                   Ronald J. Ellerbe Board Trustee Freeport UFSD and Nassau BOCES       Amy M. Rumelt Principal Carman Road School Nassau BOCES                   Paul D. Failla Educational Consultant       Jonathan Zimmerman Teacher Great Neck UFSD and Founder, Comp4Kids Proceeds from awards gala to fund educational innovation The fifth annual Nassau BOCES "Education Partner" Awards Gala was sponsored by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to acquire and distribute funds to enhance educational opportunities for students attending or taking part in Nassau BOCES schools, services or programs.