Commissioner of education visits Goshen Intermediate
GOSHEN — On Dec. 20, Dr. John B. King Jr., the state commissioner of education and president of the University of the State of New York, visited the Goshen Intermediate School as part of a regional field evaluation of BOCES services.
This year, Dr. King and the deputy commissioner, Dr. Kenneth Slentz, decided to change how BOCES superintendents are evaluated. Instead of performing evaluations during a personal meeting, they decided to conduct regional, field-based observations where they personally visited the state’s BOCES and their corresponding districts. This way, they could view first-hand how the new Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) and the New York State Common Core Learning Standards are being implemented in districts.
Terry Olivo, chief operating officer of Orange-Ulster BOCES, selected the Goshen Central School District to be part of the evaluation, namely the Goshen Intermediate School, because of its significant progress with implementing the Common Core.
Dr. King visited third graders in Beth Tyrrell and Sarah Scoville's classes and fifth graders in Elizabeth Jung's class, where he observed lessons that actively integrated the Common Core Learning Standards into English Language Arts, including student engagement, text-based questions and close reading. Dr. King engaged students in one-on-one and small group discussions to ask them what they are learning and what they enjoy learning.
According to Superintendent Daniel Connor, “It was an informative, comfortable exchange of information that discussed what Goshen is doing in these areas, how Orange-Ulster BOCES has aided in their implementation, and the next steps in the State Education Department’s education reform initiative.”
During his visit, Dr. King was accompanied by Superintendent Daniel Connor, Interim Assistant Superintendent Mary Ann Wilson, Goshen Intermediate School Principal Jason Carter and ELA Consultant Elizabeth Kimiecik.
“I’ve been in the field of education for 41 years and this is the first time that my district was honored with a visit from the Commissioner of Education,” said Connor. “I was impressed with the meaningful dialogue shared between our faculty, administrators and Dr. King. I consider his visit not only an honor for the district but the entire Goshen community.”