Kathleen Scully is the Recipient of 2017 Teacher of Excellence Award

Sayville’s Kathleen Scully - 

Recipient of the 2017 Teacher of Excellence Award

For her tremendous service and dedication, Sayville’s Elementary Literacy Facilitator Kathleen Scully received the 2017 Teacher of Excellence award from Senator Boyle at a recent ceremony. Ms. Scully was recommended for this award by Dr. John Stimmel, Sayville Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, who stated: 

“Ms. Scully is an outstanding professional who has dedicated her career to teaching children to read and write.  She teaches with a passion that is contagious.  Children and colleagues alike pick up Ms. Scully’s enthusiasm for the language arts.  This enthusiasm turns writing from a chore into an activity that her students want to dive into. 

Ms. Scully started her career in Sayville in 1988 as a second grade teacher.  She has served in a variety of capacities since then.  After five years as a classroom teacher, Ms. Scully transitioned to the reading department, working as a reading specialist for twelve years.  Throughout her career, she has dedicated a great deal of time and energy as a member on many committees.  These committees/positions include:  Evaluation and Observation Revision Committee, New Teacher Orientation, teacher mentor for a new colleague, Elementary Curriculum Leadership Council, District Elementary Data Committee, as well as serving as the Mentor Program Coordinator for the entire district.

At the building level, Ms. Scully has been a member of the Data Team Committee, working on raising the bar of instruction using the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach.  Besides servicing students who received Academic Intervention Services (AIS) and RtI, Ms. Scully pushed into classrooms delivering whole-class instruction based on “Text Savvy” and “Note and Notice.”  These opportunities not only provided students with exposure to effective reading strategies, but assisted classroom teachers by increasing their knowledge of literacy. 

Ms. Scully also finds the time to volunteer countless hours as the Sayville Teachers Association Executive Vice President.  Beginning in the fall of 2017, she was appointed to a new position as the Elementary Literacy Facilitator. In this role Ms. Scully is responsible for coordinating elementary language arts activities across the district.  She works with colleagues to insure that they have the materials and professional development necessary to support effective instruction. 

  Ms. Scully can be counted on to present herself as a consummate professional.  Her passion for literacy and working with children is second to none.  When making decisions the notion, “what’s best for kids” and “putting children first” are always at the forefront.  She holds herself and her colleagues to a high degree of excellence, which was especially evident when selecting a new English Language Arts program. As a teacher leader and role model, Ms. Scully is extremely deserving of this recognition for all that she has accomplished.” 

Congratulations, Kathleen Scully, for earning this prestigious award!