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| NYSUT salutes teacher of the year June 19, 2006
NYSUT First Vice President Maria Neira (front, center) salutes the 2007 Teacher of the Year finalists, from left: Maine-Endwell High School teacher Michael Lurenz; Teacher of the Year Marguerite Izzo, Howard T. Herber Middle School (Malverne); Cindy Blaich, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake schools; first runner-up Gregory Ahlquist, Webster High School; and Christopher Visco, Sachem High School. ALBANY, N.Y. June 19, 2006 – The 535,000-member New York State United Teachers today saluted Howard T. Herber Middle School (Malverne) 5th-grade teacher Marguerite Izzo, saying that the state's 2007 teacher of the year "is a model teacher who represents the very best of what our profession has to offer." The New York State Education Department announced its selection of Izzo today. "New York state has the most highly qualified teachers in the nation," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "As the 37 th New York State Teacher of the Year, Marguerite Izzo is the best of the best. She is a dedicated teacher who believes teaching is the most important profession in the world." Izzo, a member of the Malverne Teachers Association, believes teaching cannot be a solitary profession. "Collaboration directly benefits the children. Sharing with administrators, colleagues and parents — both our triumphs and failures — helps us be better teachers," she said. In addition to her 5 th grade classroom duties, Izzo is also an adjunct professor at Adelphi University's School of Education. Izzo is an active member of the district's Parent-Teacher Association, serves as a policy board member for the Malverne Teachers Center and is a trustee of the board of the Malverne Public Library, along with being involved in many other community projects. "Marguerite maintains high standards for her students — and for herself," said NYSUT First Vice President Maria Neira. "She never hesitates to take the time to reach out to any child — no matter what is challenging them. We are proud to have her representing NYSUT." Greg Ahlquist, a Webster Thomas High School social studies teacher in the Webster School District, was named first-runner up. He is known as a leader in the Webster community — heading up many fund-raisers for the sick and needy. The three finalists for 2007 Teacher of the Year include Christopher Visco, a high school science teacher in Owego; Michael Lurenz, a high school English teacher in the Maine-Endwell School District; and Cindy Blaich, an elementary Comprehensive Skills Special Education teacher at Pashley Elementary School in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District. NYSUT, the largest union in New York state, represents more than 535,000 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. -30- |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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