Two Monticello Schools Staff Members Honored for Excellence

October 2008

Two Monticello School District staff members were recently honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council (MHSSC) for their outstanding work. Both award recipients were nominated by Monticello Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel.

Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Karen Simon was recommended to Dr. Michel for the Award of Excellence in Administration by PPS Director Dr. Edward Escobar. Simon began her career in Special Education more than 35 years ago and is a pioneer in her field. Her nomination was based on her extraordinary leadership qualities, her dedication to her profession and for her exceptional inter-personal and communication skills. In 1996, Simon won the MHSSC Award of Excellence in Teaching for her work as a special education teacher at the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School.

Monticello Schools’ Systems Operator Maria Cruz was honored with the Award of Excellence in Support Staff Services after being recommended for nomination by the district’s Executive Director of Instructional Technology & Staff Development, Shelley Rossitto. Cruz works as a frontline technology person who provides support in areas such as e-mail, the internet phone system and the student management program. She regulates inventory, orders software and provides help-desk services district-wide. According to Rossitto, she is the pulse of Monticello’s technology department and is dedicated, hard-working, intelligent, dependable and an excellent problem solver.

Both recipients were grateful and honored to receive their awards and expressed that it was a good feeling to know that they are appreciated.

All the honorees were invited to dinner at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor and received a certificate and a medal of excellence. The MHSSC awards are given annually to school districts throughout Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties.

Photo 1: From left (back row) Monticello Schools Director of PPS Dr. Edward Escobar, Assistant Director of PPS Karen Simon and RJK Middle School Principal Deborah Wood. Front row, RJK Special Education teacher Christine Worthington, RJK guidance counselor Nancy Wilhelm and RJK Home & Careers teacher Karen Mahoney.

Photo 2: From left (back row) Monticello Schools Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Kathleen Pagano-Fuller, LAN Network Technician Dennis DePasquale, Systems Operator Maria Cruz, Executive Director of Instructional Technology & Staff Development Shelley Rossitto, Board of Education member Richard Feller. Front row, Board of Education member Liza Glick, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel, Monticello High School Principal Arleene Siegel and Assistant Superintendent for Business Gladys Baxter.

Click here for a photo array of MCSD people at the MHSSC Awards Banquet (.wmv file).