The Three Village Central School District Board of Education took time during their November meeting to honor several staff members for their dedication to their craft, as well as exemplary behavior. 

Kerrin Welch-Pollera, the district’s executive director of instructional technology, was applauded as the recipient of the Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation in Technology Award. Ms. Welch-Pollera received the award during the Long Island Technology and Education Summit. The late Fred Podolski, for whom the award is named, was a longtime director of curriculum and instruction at Nassau BOCES and a firm believer in the impact that technology can have on student learning. He was also the founder of the summit. 

Setauket Elementary School teachers Eric Gustafson and Gina Varacchi were named New York State Master Teachers. The Master Teacher program was launched in 2013 in partnership with the State University of New York and Math for America. It seeks to recognize teachers throughout the state who share a passion for their own STEM learning and for collaborating with colleagues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. The district now boasts 11 Master Teachers. Across the state, only an approximate 800 educators have received this honor to date.  

Minnesauke Elementary School lunch monitor Collette Huber was celebrated for her attentiveness, quick thinking and resourcefulness. On Oct. 22, her quick action aided in saving a student who was choking.