F.S. admin rewarded for tech expertise

Three years ago, Penny Curry began her career in the Franklin Square Union Free School District. Last week, she was approved for tenure by the district’s Board of Education.

"Three years have come and gone so quickly, but I am looking forward to many more to com,e and cannot wait to see where the district goes next, in it's journey into the 21st Century!" Curry said.

Born and raised in Huntington, Curry currently lives in South Huntington with her husband and 5-year-old son. She was initially hired as director of instructional technology by the Franklin Square district, and has served in that capacity for nearly three years. She has also worked to educate teachers about using technology in the classroom, and each year since Curry has been with the district, technology has been added to the school platform.

In July 2009, Curry’s position was expanded to include a data specialist role, after the state of New York imposed new regulations on data submission, and the importance of student data and record-keeping.

Patrick Manley, Franklin Square’s superintendent, said that Curry spearheaded the district’s effort to maintain and submit student data efficiently and correctly. “The learning curve regarding data was steep, but Penny rose to the occasion and routinely sends me an email saying, ‘We’ve got it under control’ when the state blasts an email to all superintendents, regarding student data,” Manley said. “It is comforting to know our ‘teacher of teachers’ transformed into a ‘student of data,’ and finally into a ‘data specialist,’ without difficulty or complaint.”

In August 2010, Manley said, the district asked Curry to expand her role again, and supervise both instructional and “infra-structional” technology. She has succeeded in her new role, Manley said, while still managing to be the data specialist for the schools, and support classroom instruction. Curry is in constant contact with the district’s computer lab assistants, and insures that technology is functional for all of the district’s students.