BOCES 2 Board President Dennis Laba (Gates Chili), District Superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci and Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs Joe Kelly at the NYSAWA Awards in Albany.
The New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA) honored Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci with the Amy Bull Crist Award at the NYSAWA 2015 Symposium Annual Awards dinner on Sunday, March 22 in Albany.
The award was presented by NYSAWA Awards Board Member and Program Director of Westchester Community College Dr. Jennifer Schulman. It is reserved for a superintendent who supports leadership development of women and girls. The award’s namesake was the first woman District Superintendent in New York State.
In her acceptance speech, Antonacci thanked NYSAWA and her colleagues who have supported and challenged her along the way. Antonacci also took a moment to honor the legacy of Amy Bull Crist, who began her career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, and retired having founded the Orange-Ulster BOCES.
Antonacci became the first female District Superintendent at BOCES 2 upon her appointment in 2010. She has been with the district for more than 37 years, beginning her career as a speech and hearing teacher working with students in special education programs.
During her tenure, Antonacci has been an integral part of the development of several programs such as the program for traumatically brain-injured students, the activities for daily living center, expansion of services for special education, career and technical education and adult students. She has also played a significant role in the creation of the Monroe 2-Orleans Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships to students.
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