Senate Resolution No. 2319

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Michael Sylofski upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2017 Leader in
Digital Education Award by the School Administrators
Association of New York State and the National
Association of Elementary School Principals

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
individuals in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been
instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Michael Sylofski upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2017 Leader in Digital Education Award by the School Administrators
Association of New York State and the National Association of Elementary
School Principals; this momentous occasion was celebrated on Friday, May
5, 2017, at the Century House, Latham, New York; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sylofski, managing program coordinator of
e-learning services for the Capital Region BOCES Northeastern Regional
Information Center (NERIC), has been selected as the first recipient of
the 2017 Leader in Digital Education Award by the School Administrators
Association of New York State (SAANYS); and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award recognizes a SAANYS member who has
demonstrated exceptional, creative leadership in harnessing the
potential of technology to further teaching and student achievement; and

WHEREAS, A true leader in implementing e-learning opportunities,
Michael Sylofski and his team developed a successful regional
interactive video distance learning program for high school students;
this program has grown into its own virtual high school and serves more
than 2,500 participating students from 69 organizations with 150 daily
courses; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sylofski's leadership has led to the creation of a
system where any student, no matter where they go to school, can have
access to a diverse and high quality curriculum taught by the region's
best teachers; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the program has become a national model and
was highlighted by Cisco Systems in 2014, as a case study for its
Education Industry Solutions YouTube channel; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sylofski was also instrumental in the growth of the
Model Schools program, which supports technology integration
professional development and assists districts with local technology

planning, creating a regional community to share best practices in
technology integration; the program has grown to include 44 districts
across ten counties in Northeastern New York; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, Michael Sylofski also serves
as president-elect on the Board for the New York State Association for
Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE), and was a member of
the New York State Education Department's Instructional Technology Plan
Work Group; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sylofski received his Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science from Hofstra University; he went on to earn a Master
of Business Administration degree from the University at Albany; and

WHEREAS, Educators like Michael Sylofski provide a tremendous
service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of
young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in
their future years; and

WHEREAS, Michael Sylofski has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of Capital Region BOCES NERIC, as well as the community-at-large,
and accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impressive
dedication to others; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Michael Sylofski upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2017 Leader in Digital Education Award by the School
Administrators Association of New York State and the National
Association of Elementary School Principals; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Michael Sylofski.