Two Ulster BOCES employees—Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center (MHRIC) Director Danielle Yeomans and Central Administration Secretary Ean McDermott—along with others around the region, will be honored by The Mid-Hudson School Study Council (MHSSC) for their outstanding contributions to education at the 2024 Awards for Excellence ceremony on October 16 at The Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown, New York.

“We appreciate the dedication and support of these amazing professionals,” said Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jonah Schenker. “Their leadership and service are examples of excellence in education.”

Yeomans will receive the Excellence in Administration Award. She began her career at BOCES in 2000 as an administrative assistant for the School Library System, and in 2005 she obtained certification and was appointed School Library System Coordinator. In 2018, she was promoted to Instructional Services Senior Supervisor for Educational Technology, and in 2020 she became the Ulster BOCES Data Privacy Officer. Since 2021, Yeomans has been the Director of MHRIC, where she serves 47 school districts across four counties. 

“Danielle’s attention to details, understanding of policies and procedures, and knowledge in the data privacy and security arena are just a few of her strengths,” explained Schenker. “Her professionalism, her leadership, and her expertise in supporting Ulster BOCES and the school districts we serve make her very deserving of this recognition.”

Assistant Superintendent for Administration Amanda Stokes also had high praise for Yeomans. “Under Danielle’s leadership, MHRIC has seen remarkable improvements in its operational efficiency and the quality of services provided to our school districts,” she said. “She has been instrumental in implementing innovative technological solutions that have streamlined administrative processes, making it easier for districts to access the resources they need to support their students and staff.”

McDermott will receive the Award for Excellence in Support Staff Services for his work with Ulster BOCES Instructional Services. After he began his career there in 2002 as special project assistant, McDermott was instrumental in a variety of its initiatives, as well as with various curriculum projects and grants with the New York State Department of Education (NYSED). In addition, McDermott has worked with school districts to manage their Arts in Education and Environmental Education programs, utilizing the cooperative services BOCES provides. 

For the past two years McDermott has served as the secretary for Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Sarah Dudley-Lemek.  “Ean’s ability to work independently, combined with his strong customer service skills, makes him the go-to person for resolving complex issues and addressing inquiries from both the organization and across the county,” said Dudley-Lemek.

Several of McDermott’s colleagues also praised his excellent leadership qualities and his dedication. “Ean excels in all aspects of his work,” said Supervisor of Instructional Services Cynthia Farrell, who has worked closely with McDermott for 14 years. In describing McDermott’s “unwavering attention to detail,” Farrell said, “he approaches every task with thoroughness and a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.” 

McDermott has inspired others with his conviction and willingness to address challenges, noted Supervisor for Instructional Services Dr. Barbara Tischler Hastie. “Whether he is tackling a challenging project at work, or navigating a social gathering, Ean’s confidence not only makes him stand out in a crowd, but also inspires those around him to believe in themselves and their abilities,” she said.

The MHSSC is a non-profit organization whose fundamental purpose is to bring about the improvement of education in its member school districts in the Mid-Hudson Valley. It accomplishes that purpose through the cooperative study of common educational problems, the effective diffusion of educational practices, and the stimulation of active participation of school boards, administrators, teachers, pupils, and laypersons in educational planning and activity.