Senator Shelley Mayer Recognizes Educators Across the 37th Senate District with Outstanding Educator Awards
State Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, honored 18 exceptional educators from across the 37th Senate District with her 2026 Outstanding Educator Award at a ceremony held on June 15 at Scarsdale High School. The award recognizes educators who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their students, schools, and communities through their leadership, innovation, and dedication to education. Each honoree was nominated by their school principal or superintendent.
During the ceremony, Senator Mayer led a roundtable discussion, providing an opportunity to learn more about their work, the innovative approaches that distinguish them, and the meaningful impact they are making in their schools and communities. Educators shared their experiences and ways they are helping strengthen the communities they serve. Senator Mayer then awarded each educator with a proclamation recognizing their impact. Senator Mayer honored:
Lisa Azria, Special Education Life Skills Teacher at Bronxville High School, Bronxville Union Free School District; Melanie Bradish, 5th Grade Teacher at Church Street Elementary School, White Plains Public Schools; Karen Caine, 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Hommocks Middle School, Mamaroneck Union Free School District; Andrew Colasuonno, Assistant Principal of Student Services and Director of Athletics at Tuckahoe Middle School, Tuckahoe Union Free School District; Julie Cupertino, Grades 3 and 4 Special Education Teacher at School 5, Yonkers Public Schools; Amanda D’Addona, Grade 9 and 10 Social Studies Teacher at Rye Neck High School, Rye Neck School District; Amy Estersohn, High School English Teacher at White Plains High School, White Plains Public Schools; Kimberly Fleming, Grades 3 -5 Music Teacher at F.E. Bellows Elementary School at Rye Neck School, Rye Neck School District; Noreen Garvey, Special Education Teacher at Westchester Hills School 29, Yonkers Public Schools; Jennifer Gherardi, 5th Grade Math Teacher at William E. Cottle School, Tuckahoe Union Free School District; Toby Gillen, High School French Teacher at Bronxville High School, Bronxville Union Free School District; Richard Harman, High School Math Teacher at Yonkers Montessori Academy, Yonkers Public Schools; Jessica Haag, High School English Teacher at Eastchester High School, Eastchester Union Free School District; Dina Hofstetter, High School Art Teacher at Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Union Free School District; Oren Iosepovici, High School Guidance Counselor at Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale Union Free School District; Joseph Liberti, Social Studies Civic Education Teacher at Mamaroneck High School, Mamaroneck Union Free School District; Carrie Valle, Grades 2 -5 Special Education Teacher at Anne Hutchinson School, Eastchester Union Free School District.
Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to present the 2026 Outstanding Educator Awards to 18 exceptional educators from across the 37th Senate District. These teachers, counselors, and school professionals represent the very best of public education in New York. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am continually inspired by the extraordinary work happening in our schools. It was a privilege to hear directly from these educators about their experiences, their classroom innovations, and the impact they have every day on their students’ lives.
“Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick, Principal Kenneth Bonamo, and the entire Scarsdale High School community for graciously hosting this celebration and helping us honor these outstanding educators.”