Eleven local champions of education, including school board members, current and retired staff, community volunteers, and members of the PTAs, were recently honored by the Ulster County School Boards Association (UCSBA) for their commitment to the school communities.

The honorees, each representing a different school district in Ulster County, were recognized at UCSBA’s fifth annual Distinguished Friend of Education Awards Dinner on May 26 at the Best Western in Kingston. 

Honorees include Charles and Noreen Dechon, Ellenville Central School District; Claire Van Valkenburgh, Highland Central School District; Nora C. Scherer, Kingston City School District; Faith Nannini, Marlboro Central School District; Jim Tinger, New Paltz Central School District; Rob Kurnit, Onteora Central School District; Felice DiGennaro, Rondout Valley Central School District; Mike LaTourette, Saugerties Central School District; Jamie Hoyt, Wallkill Central School District; and Margaret Short, Ulster BOCES.

Those nominating this year’s honorees noted their commitment to children, volunteerism, the community, advocacy, and education. 

• Charles and Noreen Dechon, Ellenville Central School District, have been devoted community members who have lived their lives in such a way that they will be remembered for all of their acts of kindness, compassion, fairness, and, without a doubt…benevolence. Noreen, who is being honored posthumously, and Charlie have both improved the lives of all of the children and adults they have come in contact with, both in and out of school. 
• Claire Van Valkenburgh, Highland Central School District, has been the go-to parent over the years and as the current PTSA president, she reinvigorated the organization during the difficult COVID years, bringing new energy and a level of accountability that has helped the PTSA thrive. She is a strong collaborator who is approachable and whose sole agenda is putting “students first.” 
• Nora C. Scherer, Kingston City School District, has been a member of the Kingston City School District Board of Education since 2011. Nora has devoted her life to her family and friends, and to a long, exemplary career as a teacher, mentor, and innovator. She has been a public education advocate her entire adult life, and has worked tirelessly for the students in her classes and throughout the District.
• Faith Nannini, Marlboro Central School District, has been an integral part of the Marlboro Central School District PTAs for more than a decade and is now a devoted school board member. Faith is constantly proving her commitment and dedication to her school district, and to all of the stakeholders throughout the community. 
• Jim Tinger, New Paltz Central School District, has been an instrumental part of New Paltz for the past three decades. Jim began volunteering at the New Paltz Youth Center 29 years ago, and one year later was appointed as director of the town youth program. His spirit, enthusiasm, and drive for achieving goals has served our community—and its youth—so well. 
• Rob Kurnit, Onteora Central School District, has served the students, staff, and Onteora community for more than a decade as a Board of Education trustee. Rob was a tireless and knowledgeable champion for all students. In addition to fulfilling his regular Board responsibilities, he distinguished himself as a Board officer and a long-term leader on the Facilities Committee, where his professional expertise in the building trades was an added asset. 
• Felice DiGennaro, Rondout Valley Central School District, has shined in her time at the district. As an Elementary teacher, Felice is a person who makes a great first impression and then only continues to impress. As the current instructional coach at Marbletown Elementary School, she has a way of going into a classroom and intuitively knowing what a teacher needs and is able to support them in ways they find helpful. She always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face, even as she faces significant challenges of her own.   
• Mike LaTourette, Saugerties Central School District, serves as head custodian and is being recognized by the Saugerties Board of Education and the community for his endless support and devotion to the students and staff. His commitment to the students is unwavering, and he is a “silent hero.” He does not go above and beyond for the attention or the accolades; he does it because it is just who he is. 
• Jamie Hoyt, Wallkill Central School District, is a retired educator. Prior to her retirement in 2009, Jamie held three essential positions in the District: secretary to the Senior High School principal, secretary to the assistant superintendent for support services, and secretary to the assistant superintendent for educational services. Jamie took great pride in her job and was the “go to” person in the District. 
• Margaret Short, Ulster BOCES, has been the school nurse at the Career & Technical Education Center since 2000. Margaret attends to the health and safety needs of approximately 1,000 students and more than 100 faculty and staff every day. She is truly being recognized for her work beyond the school day, working throughout the greater Ulster County community for stepping up and stepping in to do whatever is necessary to protect the health of the people of Ulster County during the pandemic. 

Krista Barringer, president of the Ulster County School Boards Association, is full of  praise for this year’s honorees. “This annual event highlights the amazing people who go above and beyond for the students and families in Ulster County school districts,” she said. “This year is no different. Every year, the awardees leave inspired and amazed by each other. They are a tremendous group that deserves every bit of recognition.”