By Arlene Hinkemeyer, Community Information Coordinator, VS Central High school District
Given in recognition of "exemplary teaching that will impact the future of English Language Arts education," the award certificate was presented at the English Council's 53rd annual conference, whose theme was "Literacy for All: Teachers and Students Learning Together." Attending the Albany awards ceremony in Herrmann's honor were Central High School principal Joseph Pompilio and District Director of English Language Arts Larry Butti, who previously served as English department head at Central.
The conference, with its many staff development workshops, drew approximately 1,000 English teachers and administrators, kindergarten through college level, from around the state.
The Educator of Excellence award, as explained by the NYS English Council, honors those teachers and administrators "who are leaders in and out of the classroom, collaborators with colleagues, and mentors for teachers new to the profession."
"You implement and support best practices that you know to be true, and challenge students to become skillful readers and writers. Your work shows a dedication to your own learning and profession that inspires students and colleagues," wrote the English Council in its letter to Herrmann, announcing his receipt of the award.
The nomination portfolio for the award included recommendations by an administrator, a teaching colleague and a current or former student; samples of exemplary teaching materials; and samples of the teacher's and students' writing.
Previous honors earned by Herrmann include the selection in five different years for "Who's Who in America's Teachers," which requires nomination by a teacher's students.
In addition to his long-time teaching tenure at Central High School since 1960, Herrmann has also held the long-term position for 30 years (since 1973) as president of VSTA, the Valley Stream Teachers Association, which serves employee groups in all four Valley Stream school districts, K-12.
Herrmann is a long-time resident of Malverne.
