Skip to main content

Blog Post 4 - Growth Inspired by True Leadership!


Growth Inspired by True Leadership!


At Bishop Dunn Memorial School, we are fortunate to have an exceptional leader in Principal Nancy Benfer. With over 20 years of experience at BDMS, Nancy has dedicated her career to education. She started as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant and worked her way up to become the Principal in 2017. Nancy is a Mount Saint Mary College graduate, earning a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Science in Education: Childhood/Special Education. She has mentored and supervised many teacher candidates as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Mount Saint Mary College. Her innovative approach to education inspired one of her fourth-grade classes to collaborate on a book project about the history of Mount Saint Mary College, titled "Teach Me Truth."

Nancy is a respected presenter on various Hudson Valley topics, including "Inspiring 21st Century Learners Informational Writing through Children's Literature and Media" and "Diversifying the Common Core Text Exemplars." She has spoken at national conferences, such as the Literacy Research Association, and co-authored an article titled "How Common Core's Recommended Books Fail Children of Color," published in The Washington Post. She also co-authored an article titled "Don't Forget the Pictures: Using Graphical Devices to Learn About Space," published in the Michigan Reading Journal. Nancy is passionate about providing books that all students can relate to.

As a leader, Nancy's approach is exceptional. Her priority is to listen to students' and teachers' needs and concerns. She is organized and efficient and always ensures everything runs smoothly. Nancy makes decisions after listening to everyone's perspective, demonstrating fairness, compassion, and dedication to our school. She genuinely cares about the well-being of every faculty member, staff, and student. Nancy goes above and beyond to ensure everyone feels valued and supported, making our school a better place. Recently awarded the Educational Leadership Award by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council, we are lucky to have her as our Principal and are grateful for all she does.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Post 1 - Learning is Essential for Growth!

Learning is Essential for Growth! To grow as a student, stepping outside of our comfort zones is often necessary, and exploring new opportunities is essential. This could mean participating in extracurricular activities, volunteering, or taking on challenging courses. By pushing ourselves to try new things, we open ourselves up to new experiences and perspectives that can enrich our lives.
3 comments
Read more

Blog Post 7 - Another School Year, Another Opportunity for Growth!

  Another School Year,  Another Opportunity for Growth!      The start of a new school year always brings about a mix of excitement, nervousness, and maybe even a little fear of the unknown. As students gear up for another year of learning, it's essential to take the time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. For many, the start of a new school year means a fresh start. It's a chance to leave behind any struggles or challenges from the previous year and approach the upcoming year positively. It's also an excellent opportunity  to set new academic and personal goals, whether improving grades, joining a club, or making new friends.       As the academic year begins, it's essential to establish good habits and routines to set yourself up for success. This can include getting enough sleep, staying organized, and staying on top of assignments and deadlines. It's also a good idea to reach out to teachers and classmates for help ...
1 comment
Read more

Blog Post 6 - Teachers Grow over the summer!

  Teachers Grow over the summer! Most teachers are excited to take a break from the classroom and recharge at the end of a hectic school year. However, the break is also an opportunity for some to learn and refine their skills.  This summer, several teachers from BDMS participated in MSMC's annual 'Picturing Writing' workshop . Our teachers participated in the 'Picturing Writing' workshop to gain new perspectives on literacy. They plan to incorporate the techniques and strategies they learned into their instruction this fall to help their students become better writers. By using visual art as a tool for writing, students can develop their creativity and imagination while improving their writing skills. Ms. Martelli, Ms. Cambronero, Ms. Coffey, Ms. Rosscup, and Mr. VanDeree are excited to implement these new ideas and see their positive impact on their students' learning. At BDMS, our educators understand the significance of utilizing every opportunity to learn a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Followers