Wappingers Central School District

The Wappingers Central School District aims for educational excellence each and every day.
We applaud our staff's efforts to help all students to learn, to achieve, and to reach their full potential.
Often, our dedicated and talented educators are recognized for their exemplary work by outside organizations.  We are proud to share the good news.

2021 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching, Mary Jane McFarland, John Jay High School, Hopewell Junction, NY

Congratulations to Mary Jane McFarland who was awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. Ms. McFarland has been a biology instructor at SUNY Dutchess for the past 13 years (including two online courses during the fall and spring of 2020-2021). Her colleague, Karen Ingham, from the SUNY Dutchess Biology Department nominated her. From the nomination, The Dean requested Ms. McFarland prepare a portfolio including her Philosophy of Education, CV, Evidence of Excellence in Teaching, all of her course syllabi (which includes: DCC Bio 030, 130, 105 & 106), and four letters of recommendation. John Jay High School Assistant Principal Mr. Paul Albanese submitted a letter of recommendation on behalf of Ms. McFarland, in addition to Karen Ingham and two other SUNY Dutchess professors. The rigorous process required an on-campus review of all of the nominees' portfolios. Only three SUNY Dutchess adjuncts' information was sent to the SUNY Chancellor for review. From there, the SUNY Chancellor selected a committee to review all of the portfolios sent by SUNY Colleges and Universities to name the recipient of the award. We are thrilled to congratulate Ms. McFarland on this outstanding achievement. At the SUNY Dutchess graduation ceremony in May she will be presented with the SUNY Chancellor's Medallion.

2020 Better Beginnings Award Recipient, Mary Turi, Fishkill Elementary School, Fishkill, NY
The New York State Board of Regents established the award in 1988 to honor the late Helen Bach Moss, a childhood educator. The award recognizes childhood education teachers as role models who value the foundation of learning for students through respect, nurturing, and caring for students and their families and communities. Mary Turi was selected by a panel that reviewed nominations received from across New York State. To learn more about the award, click here. Click here to watch the awards presentation.

2019 National Council of Teachers of English, High School Teacher of Excellence Award
Christine Zandstra, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Wappingers Falls,  NY 

Congratulations to Christine Zandstra on being named High School Teacher of Excellence by the National Council of Teachers of English.

2019 New York State English Council, Educator of Excellence
Janine Sloth, Kinry Road Elementary School, Wappingers Central School District

Congratulations to Janine Sloth on being named an Educator of Excellence by the New York State English Council, for her commitment to literacy and her excellence in teaching English Language Arts. 

2018 NYSCATE Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
Andrew Nikola, Wappingers Central School District, Hopewell Junction, NY

2019 NYSCATE Outstanding Technology Leader Award
Art Schouten, Wappingers Central School District, Hopewell Junction, NY

BTANYS Business Department of the Year Award!
The Business Education Department of Wappingers Central School District (Roy C. Ketcham High School and John Jay High School) has been selected for the Department of the Year Award 2018-19 from the Business Teachers Association of New York State (BTANYS). 

W!SE MoneyPower 2018 Financial Education Leadership Award
Recognizing 10 Years as a Gold Star Teacher
Ronald Remick, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Wappingers Falls, NY

New York State Association of Teachers of Art, 2017-2018 Art Teacher of the Year
Robert Wood, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Wappingers Falls, NY

 Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley, Latinos Unidos de Hoy Community Award
Jose Carrion, Superintendent of Schools, Wappingers Central School District

 National Council of Teachers of English, 2018 High School Teacher of Excellence Award
Marilyn Norton, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Wappingers Falls, NY

New York State English Council, 2018 Educator of Excellence
Christine Zandstra, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Wappingers Falls, NY

New York State English Council, 2018 Educator of Excellence
Nancy Longenberger, James S. Evans Elementary School, Wappingers Falls, NY