  |
|
|
| New York state teacher receives 2004 Disney teacher honoree award February 17, 2005
"Far too often, great teachers like Susan don't get the recognition they deserve," said NYSUT President Thomas Y. Hobart Jr. "Truly gifted teachers find their satisfaction in the classroom, but it's doubly rewarding to receive public acclaim. Susan is one of the most talented educators in the nation, and we're proud to call her one of our own. To become a DisneyHand Teacher Awards Honoree, a teacher must first be chosen anonymously through a local public nomination process. Menkes' nomination was then submitted to a national committee that selected three applicants in each of the ten subject categories. "My philosophy is that the joy of making art is in the freedom of creative expression," Menkes said. "Decision-making and a feeling of confidence play important roles in my students' development, maturity and growth. I want my children to realize there are no 'mistakes' in making art and to create art to please themselves, not me." Menkes said her goal is to inspire all her students to love art, believe in themselves and feel empowered. Some of Menkes' many other achievements include being chosen by the United States and Japanese governments to visit Japan through a Fulbright Memorial Scholarship; being named New York State Art Educator of the Year for Professional Excellence of Art Education/Long Island; and being named her hometown of Bellmore's "Mother of the Year" in 1999. "I feel fortunate to work with a collaborative team of wonderful, creative, dedicated teachers in Cantiague School," she added. NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 500,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
|
| |
ALBANY, NY, February 17, 2005 - New York State United Teachers announced today that Susan Menkes, an elementary visual arts teacher and a member of the Jericho Teachers Association, recently received a 2004 Disney Teacher Honoree Award after being selected from a pool of 150,000 nominees. She was the only visual arts teacher nationwide and the only educator from New York State to be chosen. Menkes teaches at Cantiague Elementary School in Jericho, Nassau County.