Shining Above the Rest

SCOPE'S 8th Annual School District Awards Dinner was held on
Monday, March 16th at Villa Lombardi's.  Nominated by Superintendent
Mr. Michael Mostow, Medford's own Ms. Fran Lizewski (Administrator
Service Award) and teachers Joan Soldano and Stephanie Ida
(Teacher Service Award) were among the award recipients.
SCOPE is a non-for-profit educational organization permanently chartered
by the New York State Board of Regents to provide services to school districts.
Congratulations to all!

Fran Lizewski- "Fran is a 'Shining Star' at Patchogue-Medford Schools because of her focus on innovative instruction, her willingness to pioneer programs and her commitment to promoting peace throughout the community.  With her encouragement and support, several of Medford Elementary School's teachers have received prestigious education awards for inventive instruction.  Principal Lizewski walks her talk and volunteered to house the district's first Dual Language and Transitional Bilingual kindergarten classes.  She scheduled several well-received parent and community events with parents of English proficient and ESL students, effectively linking the two cultures.  She did this again on a broader scale by hosting the community vigil 'A Declaration of Unity and Peace' for students, teachers and community members of all backgrounds and ethnicities.  A former student and teacher in Patchogue-Medford, Fran continues to be a ground-breaking educator who is a model for other administrators."

Stephanie Ida- "Stephanie Ida has worked for the Patchogue-Medford schools for the last nineteen years in all areas and levels of Special Education.  Ms. Ida's belief in her students' abilities is clearly matched by her own ability to find her students' strengths and then use these strengths to motivate her students to learn.  Ms. Ida's teaching strategies might be considered "outside of the box."  They have, however, proved useful and successful with Special Education students, ESL and general education students in her charge. She has facilitated workshops in Fundations and Touch Math at Superintendent's Conference days.  Last year, Stephanie received the Dowling College/News 12 Educator of the Month award as well as the NYS Board of Regents Better Beginnings Award.  Ms. Ida is the power of one.  One student, one teacher, one lesson at a time: Stephanie Ida is a shining star who makes a difference."

Joan Soldano- "As one of the top five contenders for 2009 NYS Teacher of the Year, Joan Soldano has the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, and ideas and visions into realities for all her students.  Ms. Soldano serves on the District's Instruction and Technology committees and has assisted training colleagues on using MAC carts and SMART Boards.  A recipient of MESTRACT grants of four occasions, her lessons resonate with students because they are truly authentic learning opportunities.  Joan Soldano is what excellent teaching is all about and, without a doubt, shines above the rest."