On April 20, 2023, CASDA honored area educators and individuals for their dedication and contribution to their school communities at the 2023 Annual Awards and Friends of Education Celebration. Held at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom in Troy, NY, this year's ceremony featured a diverse group of recipients, each of whom has gone above and beyond to provide support, services and opportunities for students to succeed and thrive.  

The 2023 Annual Award winners are:

Nelsin J. Armlin Award

Syed Irfan Abbas, University at Albany

NYSPHSAA, Section 2 Athletic Director of the Year Award

Richard Keys, Queensbury UFSD

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CDCA Counselor of the Year Award

Deborah Zeh, Bethlehem High School, Bethlehem CSD

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Greater Capital Region Principals Center Board, Principal of the Year Award

Annette Landry, Elementary Principal, Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD

Carrie Phelan, Knickerbacker Middle School, Lansingburgh CSD

Aaron Thiell, Latham Ridge Elementary, North Colonie CSD

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Excellence in District Administrative Leadership Award

Rebecca Carman, Director of Policy and Community Development, Shenendehowa CSD

Excellence in School Board Service

Willette Jones, Hudson CSD

Deanna Stephenson, Shenendehowa CSD

Matthew Tedeschi, Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD

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NSDC Cooperative Leadership Award

Dr. Angelina Maloney, Superintendent, Brunswick-Brittonkill CSD

The 2023 Friends of Education Award recipients are:​

Rachel Turetsky, Communications Director, Berlin

Dr. Tammy Ellis-Robison, Founder and Executive Director of Skribblers Magazine Inc., Capital Region

Lisa Dolan, Founder of the Hudson Children's Book Festival, Hudson City CSD

Nancy Sposito, Innovation Lab Teacher, Menands UFSD

Anne Ford, Reading Specialist, Menands UFSD

Melissa Goard, AIS Math Teacher and Math Coach, Mohonasen CSD

Val Falco, Literacy Coach, New Lebanon CSD

Merry Lanthrop, Library Volunteer, New Lebanon CSD

Beth Miles, Parent Coordinator for Shenendehowa Bountiful Backpack Program, Shenendehowa CSD