Honors | keeganportfolio

Awards & Honors

As no educator can succeeed in a vacuum or as a silo, this section details the honors and professional successes made possible as a teacher and administrator in the Oceanside School District.

Essential Elements: Schools to Watch

National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform

Re-Designation (2015)

The Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch (EE: STW) recognition program is a program that guides schools in formulating targeted school improvement plans that result in full implementation of the Essential Elements and in state and local recognition; a program to identify and publicize effective middle-level schools that are committed to continuous improvement; a campaign to educate professionals and the public about criteria and indicators for high-performing middle-level schools; an opportunity for mentoring; an opportunity for self-study; an opportunity for networking about good practices

New York State Education Department

New York State Social Studies Resource Toolkit

Grant Recipient & Writer (2014-2015)

The New York Social Studies Resource Toolkit is a curriculum and instructional resource that builds out from the recently released New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework. Featuring an ambitious new approach to constructing social studies curriculum inquiries, the Inquiry Design Model (IDM), the Toolkit emphasizes the role of teacher knowledge and expertise. The Toolkit project was funded and sponsored by the New York State Education Department.

New York State English Language Arts Council

Promoting a Single Standard of Excellence in Writing

Honoree - Program of Excellence (2009)

In recognition of Oceanside's commitment to the creation of a single standard of excellence in writing across disciplines, the New York State English Language Arts Council bestowed this honor upon the integrated writing program in the Oceanside School District. Highlighted in this awards presentation was Oceanside's administrative leadership, as well as the teaching staff who guided, supported, and inspired students to write with purpose and with great detail.

New York State Council for the Social Studies

Recipient - New York State Middle Level Teacher of the Year (2003)

From the NYSCSS Program:

The Outstanding Social Studies Classroom Teacher Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional teaching ability and is currently teaching. The person nominated must be knowledgeable in social studies content as well as pedagogy and must be able to relate successfully to students at the level for which the nomination is made.

New York State Council for the Social Studies

Designing a Pre-AP Program in the Middle Level (2003)

Honoree - New York State Program of Excellence

Developed to better prepare Oceanside Middle School students for the academic and intellectual rigor that defines the World History Advanced Placement curriculum, a team of four Oceanside teachers created a vertically articulated program that scaffolded the content and skills connecting the 7-10 continuum. This program examined the essential skills which predict success at the AP level and provided students with relevant and accessible case studies which helped them explore contemporary issues and how they have been shaped by historical events.

Long Island Council for the Social Studies

Recipient - Long Island Middle Level Teacher of the Year (2002)

From the LICSS Program:

In recognition of demonstrated excellence in the classroom and commitment to the social studies, this honor was awarded in April 2012. This award is built upon the following pillars:

demonstrated knowledge of social studies content and current social studies issues

demonstrated effective and inspiring social studies teaching, including the ability to convey the importance and vitality of social studies to the students at the level for which the person is nominated

Nassau County Basketball Coaches Association

Recipient - Conference Coach of the Year (2010, 2011, 2012)

This honor was bestowed three consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012) in recognition of exceptional leadership as the Head Coach of the Oceanside High School Sailors Varsity Basketball Team.