Ginger Vail, assistant principal at Saugerties Junior High School, has been selected for the 2020 Outstanding Educator Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions through public education, professional organizations or research and/or writing in the field of education.
Vail prides herself on knowing each of her students’ personal stories. She spearheaded implementation of the school’s positive behavior intervention system (PBIS), since introduced at the high school level as well. One component of this initiative has been to solidify the role of the “Redirect Center,” a non-punitive space where students can get assistance from a social worker or guidance counselor for their social-emotional needs.
Students know Vail’s office as a safe space and regularly seek her out for help and to share successes. “She knows every person in the building from student to staff member,” said Daniel Erceg, director of human resources. “She knows when something seems a little off. She knows when someone may have had a bad night at home. Mrs. Vail immediately reaches out to their teachers to make them aware and get their input.”
Vail will be honored during an awards ceremony at a later date.
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