Superintendent, Dodge teacher receive Awards of Excellence

Smith

Williamsville Central Schools Superintendent Howard S. Smith, has been selected to receive the 2008 Award for Excellence as Superintendent of Schools by the Western New York Educational Service Council.

Also, Maureen Hart, a first-grade teacher and reading specialist at Dodge Elementary, will receive the 2008 Award for Excellence in Teaching.

They will be recognized at an awards banquet on March 13 at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Cheektowaga.

"I am honored to have been selected for this award," Smith said. "I would like to thank the Board of Education and our community for their confidence in me and their consistent support. I work with a wonderful team of people, all of whom truly care about students."

Smith has been the superintendent in Williamsville since 2004. He previously served for seven years as superintendent of the East Aurora Central School District.

"Dr. Smith continues to bring innovative, educationally sound and fiscally responsible ideas to the forefront in our district," said Ramona Popowich, president of the Board of Education. "He is dedicated to keeping Williamsville ahead of the curve, and we are proud to have him as our educational leader."

Maureen Hart, a first-grade teacher and reading specialist at Dodge Elementary, will receive the 2008 Award for Excellence in Teaching during an awards banquet on March 13 at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Cheektowaga.

In describing Hart's teaching style, Dodge Principal Lynn Fritzinger, said, "In her classroom, students know it is safe to take risks, to stretch themselves, to move out of their comfort zones in order to learn. Kindness and respect are modeled and expected."

Hart said she is humbly honored.

"Every day I marvel at the knowledge and expertise of those with whom I am fortunate to share my days. I feel blessed every day to come to a job that I truly love," she said.

According to the WNYESC, award winners represent the best in personal qualities and professional achievement, are highly respected leaders who inspire others around them, and serve as role models in their schools and their communities. Thirteen educators from across Western New York are being honored in four service categories.

Tickets for the awards banquet are $38 per person. For more information about WNYESC and the Awards for Excellence, call 645-2932 or visit the council's Web site at www.wnyesc.org.