色中色

The Board of Regents today named extraordinary educator Alhassan Susso of International Community High School in the Bronx as the 2019 色中色 Teacher of the Year and awarded the 2018 Marge A. Tierney Memorial Scholarship to Samiha Tashneem, a graduate student at Hunter College, the City University of New York, the State Education Department announced today.

2019 Teacher of the Year

Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia presented Susso, a high school social studies teacher at International Community High School in the Bronx, with a certificate of recognition. Susso was also presented with the Thomas Sobol Award and the David Johnson Award, both created as annual gifts for recipients of the Teacher of the Year award.

鈥淎lhassan Susso has overcome obstacles that might have forced other people to give up鈥攅migrating to the United States at age 16 and living with a rare, degenerative eye disease鈥攊nstead, he chose to devote his life to helping young people,鈥� Chancellor Rosa said. 鈥淓very day, he focuses on making the school-community connection that is critical to educating the whole child. From being named one of the top 50 educators in the world, to now being the 2019 Teacher of the year, Alhassan has earned each of the prestigious awards he has received. I鈥檓 proud to honor this Bronx teacher as the Teacher of the Year.鈥�

鈥淎lhassan Susso has been an instrumental educator for the students at International Community High, dedicating his life to improving theirs,鈥� Commissioner Elia said. 鈥淯sing his personal journey and social and emotional lessons, he expands his students鈥� worldview so they can find meaning in their own lives and become leaders. I have said many times that it鈥檚 so important to raise up the teaching profession and Alhassan Susso lives that every day through his commitment to this noble calling. I know he will be an exceptional ambassador as Teacher of the Year.鈥�

鈥淎lhassan Susso exemplifies the dedication and passion of our 79,000 New York City teachers,鈥� said New York City Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. 鈥淯sing the obstacles he鈥檚 overcome and lessons he鈥檚 learned in his own life, Alhassan has changed the trajectory of students鈥� lives and helped them pursue their dreams. I thank him for his extraordinary work and for bringing out the best in our children every single day.鈥�

"Alhassan Susso's incredible life story and his unwavering commitment to his students at the International Community High School are an inspiration, and a reminder of the dedication, excellence and professionalism found in classrooms all across the state," said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. "Our profession is lifted by innovative educators like Mr. Susso, who, like his colleagues, are changing lives through their passion for teaching and learning."

"On behalf of the New York City Department of Education, I thank the Board of Regents and the 色中色 for creating this opportunity for teachers to be recognized,鈥澨齆ew York City Superintendent of Affinity High Schools Kathy Rehfield- Pelles said. 鈥淚 am so pleased that this teacher, and his school, have earned this honor. Mr. Susso is creative,听relentless and tireless in his high expectations for students and in understanding how to meet their unique needs."

Susso, the 49th听色中色 Teacher of the Year, has been teaching at the International Community High School since 2012.

Susso, an immigrant from West Africa, lives in Poughkeepsie and commutes to the Bronx. He graduated with honors from the University of Vermont where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He earned his Master of Arts in Secondary Education with a specialization in History from Bard College. Susso holds a professional teaching certificate in 7-12 social studies.

In 2017, he was named one of 鈥渢he Top 50 Outstanding Educators in the World鈥� by the Varkey Foundation鈥檚 Global Teacher Prize. He also received the 2017 Social-Emotional Learning Innovation Award for Teachers by Education First through the Rockefeller Foundation.

In the coming year, Susso will serve as an ambassador for teachers throughout the state and will be the 色中色 nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.

Finalists for the 2019 色中色 Teacher of the Year are as follows:

• Rachel Murat, a high school social studies teacher at Maine Endwell High School in Endwell; and
• William H. Green, a high school chemistry teacher at Frederick Douglass Academy III in the Bronx.

The 色中色 Teacher of the Year Program is administered by the 色中色 and sponsored by 色中色 United Teachers (NYSUT); United Federation of Teachers (UFT); 色中色 Parents and Teachers Association (NYSPTA); 色中色 Association for School Curriculum Development (NYSASCD); 色中色 School Boards Association (NYSSBA); School Administrators Association of 色中色 (SAANYS); 色中色 Association of Teacher Educators (NYSATE); New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE); Voya Financial; the SMARTer Kids Foundation; SMART Technologies and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The program is run in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by CCSSO.

2018 Marge A. Tierney Memorial Scholarship

The Board of Regents today awarded the 2018 Marge A. Tierney Memorial Scholarship to Samiha Tashneem, of the Bronx. Ms. Tashneem is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at Hunter College, The City University of New York.

鈥淭hrough her ambitious standards of achievement and dedication to the field of vocational rehabilitation, Samiha Tashneem embodies what Marge Tierney stood for,鈥� Chancellor Rosa said. 鈥淲e are honored to present her with this scholarship, so she can continue to excel in her career.

鈥淪amiha Tashneem is committed to providing support and encouragement to individuals with disabilities and to helping them become confident, active members of society,鈥� Commissioner Elia said. 鈥淪he is a deserving recipient of this award, and I know we can expect big things from her in the future.鈥�

Tashneem completed her first semester at CUNY Hunter with a 4.0 GPA and has worked as a recreation therapist in a rehabilitation and nursing facility. Tashneem also worked as a senior administrative aide for Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, where she acted as a liaison to the Bangladeshi community. Her volunteer endeavors include establishing a recycling program and using it to raise money weekly for the Autism Awareness Fund. Tashneem is committed to sharing her knowledge about disability services and empowering others to take charge of their lives and function as full partners in the rehabilitation process.听听

This scholarship was established in memory of Marge A. Tierney, a State Education Department employee whose career in vocational rehabilitation spanned 33 years.听 Marge was a leader in the field of rehabilitation and a strong advocate for people with disabilities. Her career was dedicated to the development of quality services aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Under Marge鈥檚 leadership as the Director of District Office Administration from 1999-2003, over 63,000 individuals with disabilities were placed in jobs. To honor Marge鈥檚 achievements and dedication, one student is selected each year to receive a scholarship to help defray the costs of tuition, books, and other college-related expenses. Recipients of the Marge A. Tierney Memorial Scholarship Award receive a citation and $1,000 check.