Teacher Named EducatorOf The Month

Clyde I. Payne, Ed. D. dean of the School of Education at Dowling College, presented the Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month Award to Leigh Dowden, fifth-grade teacher at Stratford Avenue School.

Fifth grade students at Stratford Avenue School took a break from working on their poetry project last Friday to greet Clyde I. Payne, Ed.D., dean of the School of Education at Dowling College. Dr. Payne paid the class a visit to honor their teacher, Leigh Dowden, as a Dowling College/News 12 Teacher of the Month.

Each year, Dowling College and News 12 Long Island select a dozen teachers for the honor. Mrs. Dowden was chosen for her ability to address the individual needs of her students and promote their self-esteem; her commitment to mentoring both new and student teachers; the invaluable assistance she provides in organizing special events and activities, including the fifth-grade school play and environmental trip; and much more.

"There has never been an occasion that Leigh Dowden has not given her all to the children and to the Stratford Avenue family," Stratford Avenue School Principal Diane Hopkins said.

Leigh Dowden's fifth-grade class takes a break from working on their poetry books, a year-long project that involves composing and illustrating up to 18 poems in each student's own, individual bound volume, to pose for a photograph with Mrs. Dowden, her award, and her three and a half-year-old daughter Ellie.