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News
Virginia Reale of East Hampton Middle School Named Dowling College/News 12 Educator of the Month
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| Virginia Reale celebrates with students at East Hampton Middle School on being named a 2006 Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. |
Virginia "Ginny" Reale, a health and physical education teacher at East Hampton Middle School, has been named a 2006 Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. Nominations were accepted from schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, and a committee of distinguished educators selected the winners.
Mrs. Reale, who has been an educator in the East Hampton School District for 12 years, was honored for her commitment to the social, emotional and physical health of the school-wide community. In a letter, Gail Parker, Principal of the East Hampton Middle School, states, "Ginny's lessons/units are designed to actively engage all students and staff in meaningful projects, programs and presentations of learning. Whether it's an all day health fair for 500 students, a Kick Butts assembly for the student body, or an evening Puberty Ed program for parents and students, Mrs. Reale plans carefully and works tirelessly."
Christopher Tracey, Director of the Health, Physical Education, Driver Education, Athletics & Recreation department, commends Ginny for creating a health and wellness program called "Bonac on Board to Wellness." According to Mr. Tracey, "The results of Ginny's labors have been dramatic. The entire building has embraced health in a new light and a significant amount of the school population has been actively engaged in a variety of lifestyle changing behaviors that have dramatically improved the health of the whole middle school community."
Among Mrs. Reale's many accolades, she has been recognized as Suffolk Zone Health Teacher of the Year, co-wrote the district's K-12 curricula in physical education, health education and character education, and created student-run programs that address healthy lifestyle choices. In March 2004, the school was awarded a $17,500 grant from the East Hampton Healthcare Foundation to fund projects/activities to promote healthy eating and fitness for the middle school students. Mrs. Reale embraced the challenge, designed a curriculum, and planned a series of programs and workshops. The grant was renewed this year.
"Mrs. Reale's commitment to the social, emotional and physical health of the school community has created a healthy and successful school environment that transcends the walls of the buildings," noted Dr. Clyde Payne, Dean of Dowling's School of Education. "She is teaching lessons that will have a lifetime of benefits for her students and their families."
Prior to joining the East Hampton School District, Mrs. Reale taught at the Shoreham-Wading River School District from 1987-1993. Mrs. Reale earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Hofstra University and a Master's degree in Liberal Studies, Health Studies from SUNY at Stony Brook.
A special feature announcing Mrs. Reale's award will air soon on News 12. In June the award winners and their guests will be honored at a special dinner.
About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at
its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre
Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk
border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor′s, Master′s, and Doctoral degrees in several
disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.
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