Thursday, October 1, 2026
For inspiring excellence in students and teachers alike, East Rockaway resident Kevin Harrington will receive the Educator of Excellence for Administration Award by the New York State English Council (NYSEC). The honor will be presented at the 63rd Annual NYSEC Conference at the Desmond Conference Center in Albany, held Oct. 16-18.
Harrington is the K-12 English Language Arts Curriculum Associate for Massapequa Public Schools. He was nominated by his colleagues who described him as a “kind, sensitive, and passionate” leader whose style “united the department by treating its members like professionals.”
Reacting to the news, Harrington quickly pointed to the work of the teachers and the support of the district’s central administration and Board of Education.
“I am in awe and so grateful to the teachers who implement the instructional strategies on a daily basis … they are my heroes and the ones who deserve to be recognized with this award. I am blessed to be part of an administrative team that puts such value on literacy instruction, and to work with a central office staff and Board of Education that supports professional development.”
Harrington began his position as K-12 English Language Arts Curriculum Associate with Massapequa Public Schools in July 2009. Under his leadership, new courses such as Monsters in Print and Film, Graphic Novels and Broadcast Journalism were introduced; mastery of the English Regents rose and the number of students taking AP and college-level classes increased. He also revamped the summer reading program and introduced performance-based assessments in lieu of traditional final exams. Harrington said he sets clear and high expectations for all students through the use of modeling, guided instruction, exemplars, checklists, and rubrics; and enhances teaching and learning through the use of technology and alignment of curriculum to the Common Core Learning Standards.
