What do you get when you bring together a group of outstanding educators, administrators, board members, corporate executives, community leaders and volunteers? You get the most influential people for public education in Nassau County, an honor bestowed upon 14 individuals by Nassau BOCES through its inaugural “Education Partner” awards program.

Education’s answer to the “Oscars,” the Nassau BOCES “Education Partner” award recognizes those whose impact on public education in Nassau County can be measured in very tangible ways.

“Response to our ‘Education Partner’ awards program has been extraordinary,” says Dr. James D. Mapes, Nassau BOCES district superintendent. “Through this innovative program, everyone who has ever been influenced by public education had an opportunity to show appreciation by nominating outstanding candidates for the award.”

During the nominating period, more than 1,700 people visited the Nassau BOCES Web site, which recorded 140 nominations for the award. “One of the nicest things about this program is that ­ just like Nassau BOCES ­ it is open to people from all walks of life, and we are proud that our honorees reflect this diversity,” says Dr. Mapes.

The 14 honorees are:

- Thomas W. Alfano, New York State assemblyman

- Mairead Barrett, founder and board member of New Ground

- Frederick W. Breithut, founder and president, School-Business Partnerships of Long Island Inc., and founder and president of Long Island FIRST Robotics Program

- Dr. Constance R. Clark, superintendent, Westbury Public Schools

- Lorraine Deller, executive director, Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association

- George Farber, president, Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County

- Dr. Charles Fowler, president, School Leadership, LLC

- Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley, superintendent of schools, Malverne Union Free School District

- Michael Keany, director, Long Island School Leadership Center

- Andrew Joseph Koslosky, chairman of the board, The Josephine Foundation

- Vincent J. LaSala, executive administrator, retired, Nassau BOCES

- Dr. Henry Teoh, distinguished service professor, State University of New York ­ College at Old Westbury

- Gloria Virgile, executive director, What Color Is Love, Inc.

- John C. Waffenschmidt, vice president-business development, Covanta Energy Corporation

The “Most Influential People for Public Education” Named ­ Add One

They will receive their “Education Partner” awards at a gala dinner in their honor hosted by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at the Woodbury Country Club.

A strategic education partner with local school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES chose this innovative program to mark its 40th Anniversary and to pay tribute to those who share its commitment to providing the best possible education for learners of all ages and abilities.

For more information about the Nassau BOCES “Education Partner” awards program, visit www.nassauboces.org/40th.