News Detail
SUNY Potsdam Education alumni honor Fitzgerald with St. Lawrence Academy Medal
07.22.10
The SUNY Potsdam School of Education Alumni Association recently honored Janie Davies Fitzgerald, a member of the Class of 1988, with the 2010 St. Lawrence Academy Medal at the College’s annual Reunion Weekend.
The St. Lawrence Academy Medal is presented to a SUNY Potsdam graduate who has made significant contributions to the field of professional education or related fields. The Alumni Association recognized Fitzgerald for her distinguished career and her commitment to excellence in education.
As an undergraduate, she received Potsdam’s two highest awards for student teaching. Today, as a middle school English teacher in the Scarsdale, N.Y., Middle School, Janie Davies Fitzgerald is still receiving awards for her outstanding teaching, and she has also become an exceptional teacher of teachers. Her principal describes her as “the epitome of the expression ‘master teacher.’”
“She understands the nature and needs of her students, and she works to match instruction and programs to those needs. She is a teacher who not only strives for excellence in her classroom and school but also cultivates a full professional life outside of the classroom,” read the citation honoring her.
In 1998, Fitzgerald was recognized by the New York State Middle School Association with the Ross M. Burkhardt Middle Educator Award. To qualify for this award, recipients must have performed activities that positively promote middle level education beyond their own workplace. As a regional director for that organization, Janie brings her enthusiasm, thoughtful insight, experience and commitment to every board meeting as well as to the publications committee.
Recently, Janie enrolled in Manhattanville College’s Teacher Leaders program, a 15-credit Advanced Certificate program. Students who are accepted into this selective program have been recognized as leaders in their schools.
Her list of committee work and publications is extensive. Fitzgerald has presented professionally on numerous occasions locally, at the national and state levels. She has also received several grants for special projects, such as a Reader’s Digest grant for a Civil War Interdisciplinary Project.
Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 100 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training, and leadership in the performing and visual arts.